yulius hermanto
Secret Behind Water Birth
Introduction
Water Bath Delivery or Water Birth is a method of giving birth, which involves immersion of the mother body in warm water.
Water Birth is believed to have less pain for the woman during the process of labor, beside that this method also associated with safer and less traumatic birth experience for the baby.
However, critics argue that the procedure introduces unnecessary risks to the infant such as infection and water inhalation.
With the increasing practice and promotion of delivery in water, make us have to think it carefully, whether this method is safer compare to other method.
Benefits
Less Painful Labor
I'm not a woman, thus i can't be pregnant. But, i am a medical doctor, and i have seen how a woman during the labor. Well, based on my observation and the references that pain during the labor process is a natural process, with the moderate until severe intensity of the pain. Actually, woman could overcome those pain, especially when she is being motivated about the successful delivery and healthy baby.
Pain during labor has become special problem, besides the 3P (Passage, Passenger and Power). Pain is uncomfortable sensation, thus can cause a psychological stress beside the physiological stress. Thus, most of the women during labor are seeking the pain reliever.
Based on the reference, Water birth is an effective form of pain management during labor and delivery. Water birth is a form of hydrotherapy which, in studies, has been shown to be an effective form of pain management for a variety of conditions especially lower back pain (a common complaint of women in labor).
Other options for pain control during labor and delivery are epidural anesthesia and intravenous opioids. Epidural anesthesia may be associated with a higher incidence of instrumental delivery with forceps. However, epidural anesthesia does not increase the incidence of cesarean section and has been shown to be a safe alternative for labor analgesia.
Otherwise, full immersion in water promotes physiological responses in the mother that reduce pain including a redistribution of blood volume, which stimulates the release of oxytocin and vasopressin, which also increases oxytocin blood levels.
No evidence was found that this benefit was associated with poorer outcomes for babies or longer labours. It has also been found that in waterbirths the buoyancy of the mother and the baby allow for a gravitational pull. This pull not only opens up the mother's pelvis but also allows the baby to descend more easily.
Less Traumatic
Water birth is believed to aid stretching of the perineum thus become less traumatic. Support from the water slows crowning of the infant's head and offers perineal support, which decreases the risk of tearing and reduces the use of episiotomy, a surgical procedure which can cause a number of complications.
Moreover, perineal trauma is reported to be generally less severe, with more intact perineums for multips (multiparas, or mothers who have had multiple births), but in some literature about the same frequency of tears for primips (primipara, or mothers who are having their first birth) in or out of the water.
Concerns
Infection
Some people who disagree with water birth, believe that this method could increase the risk of infection.
Based on the study in Canada, there is no difference was noted in the low rates of maternal and newborn signs of infection in women with ruptured membranes. Because of the rigorous protocols for cleaning birthing tubs between labors (especially in hospitals), there is little (if any) risk of transferring bacteria from infant to mother or mother to infant.
Slowed labor
Because of the documented relaxing effects of water, laboring in water is sometimes associated with a decrease in the intensity of contractions, and is thus thought to slow labor. While home birth experts argue that this must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, some hospitals have adopted a "5 centimeter" rule, allowing women to enter the tub only once the cervix has already expanded to 5 centimeters.
Conclusion
Delivery process is unique, special and important milestone in women's life. Most of the women experience the uncomfortable pain, thus become a special problem in labor besides the 3P. Thus make women, seeking pain reliever.
Water birth has become an alternative method of delivery for women, thus have been shown less painful and less traumatic.
Water birth has not shown increase risk of infection and prolonged labor.
So, after all, water birth delivery is safe for both mother and baby.
Water Bath Delivery or Water Birth is a method of giving birth, which involves immersion of the mother body in warm water.
Water Birth is believed to have less pain for the woman during the process of labor, beside that this method also associated with safer and less traumatic birth experience for the baby.
However, critics argue that the procedure introduces unnecessary risks to the infant such as infection and water inhalation.
With the increasing practice and promotion of delivery in water, make us have to think it carefully, whether this method is safer compare to other method.
Benefits
Less Painful Labor
I'm not a woman, thus i can't be pregnant. But, i am a medical doctor, and i have seen how a woman during the labor. Well, based on my observation and the references that pain during the labor process is a natural process, with the moderate until severe intensity of the pain. Actually, woman could overcome those pain, especially when she is being motivated about the successful delivery and healthy baby.
Pain during labor has become special problem, besides the 3P (Passage, Passenger and Power). Pain is uncomfortable sensation, thus can cause a psychological stress beside the physiological stress. Thus, most of the women during labor are seeking the pain reliever.
Based on the reference, Water birth is an effective form of pain management during labor and delivery. Water birth is a form of hydrotherapy which, in studies, has been shown to be an effective form of pain management for a variety of conditions especially lower back pain (a common complaint of women in labor).
Other options for pain control during labor and delivery are epidural anesthesia and intravenous opioids. Epidural anesthesia may be associated with a higher incidence of instrumental delivery with forceps. However, epidural anesthesia does not increase the incidence of cesarean section and has been shown to be a safe alternative for labor analgesia.
Otherwise, full immersion in water promotes physiological responses in the mother that reduce pain including a redistribution of blood volume, which stimulates the release of oxytocin and vasopressin, which also increases oxytocin blood levels.
No evidence was found that this benefit was associated with poorer outcomes for babies or longer labours. It has also been found that in waterbirths the buoyancy of the mother and the baby allow for a gravitational pull. This pull not only opens up the mother's pelvis but also allows the baby to descend more easily.
Less Traumatic
Water birth is believed to aid stretching of the perineum thus become less traumatic. Support from the water slows crowning of the infant's head and offers perineal support, which decreases the risk of tearing and reduces the use of episiotomy, a surgical procedure which can cause a number of complications.
Moreover, perineal trauma is reported to be generally less severe, with more intact perineums for multips (multiparas, or mothers who have had multiple births), but in some literature about the same frequency of tears for primips (primipara, or mothers who are having their first birth) in or out of the water.
Concerns
Infection
Some people who disagree with water birth, believe that this method could increase the risk of infection.
Based on the study in Canada, there is no difference was noted in the low rates of maternal and newborn signs of infection in women with ruptured membranes. Because of the rigorous protocols for cleaning birthing tubs between labors (especially in hospitals), there is little (if any) risk of transferring bacteria from infant to mother or mother to infant.
Slowed labor
Because of the documented relaxing effects of water, laboring in water is sometimes associated with a decrease in the intensity of contractions, and is thus thought to slow labor. While home birth experts argue that this must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, some hospitals have adopted a "5 centimeter" rule, allowing women to enter the tub only once the cervix has already expanded to 5 centimeters.
Conclusion
Delivery process is unique, special and important milestone in women's life. Most of the women experience the uncomfortable pain, thus become a special problem in labor besides the 3P. Thus make women, seeking pain reliever.
Water birth has become an alternative method of delivery for women, thus have been shown less painful and less traumatic.
Water birth has not shown increase risk of infection and prolonged labor.
So, after all, water birth delivery is safe for both mother and baby.
