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The Benefits of Water Birthing: Choosing a Gentle Delivery Method

In today’s new and developing health sector, there are a variety of birthing options available. Depending on your comfort, preference and health of you and your baby, you may choose delivery options in hospitals, birthing centres or at home. 

Today more and more women are choosing water birthing as the way to introduce their babies to the world. Have you heard of water birthing? 

In the last few years, water birthing has gained tremendous popularity as an alternative method for childbirth. This method involves laboring and sometimes giving birth in a warm water tub. However, it may not be suitable for everyone, many mothers have found it to be a soothing and empowering experience. 

Notably, this service is not available to every part of the country. Until now, women could only opt in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi. But now Sage Anandam Hospitals has also started offering a water birthing facility in Bhopal. 

As per the reports, in 2023, the well-equipped and experienced team of Sage Anandam, Apollo Sage Hospitals,  successfully performed central India’s first water birth delivery. 

So if you are interested in learning more about this advanced birthing process, keep on reading the blog. Here we will explore the benefits of water birthing and why it is worth considering for your motherhood journey. 
What Is Water Birthing? 
The name says it all! Water birthing is a process of giving birth in a tub full of warm water. Sounds dangerous? Well, according to the experts, “ Water birthing is the most natural and safe birthing process that reduces around 70% of labor pain.” 

Not only experts but several women also say that they have experienced a more relaxed environment with less pain and the potential for vaginal tearing. The water birthing process needs to be conducted by a team of experts with experienced nursing staff. 

Apart from giving birth to the child, women also opt for an option to use it during labor pain only. It just helps them to cope with the pain.  
What are the Benefits of Water Birthing?
There are various reports available on the internet about water birthing. In several cases, women who have chosen this process shared positive reviews. 
Here are some of the key benefits of water birthing: 

1. Reduces Labor Pain
According to reports women bear massive pain of 57 dels, equal to twenty bones getting fractured at the same time. Therefore, during the process of water birthing the pain is reduced by 70% and provides a gentle experience. 

2. Cuts Labor Duration 
One of the top benefits of water birth is that it cuts labor duration. According to ACOG, immersion in water in the first stage of labor may help shorten the duration of labor. Laboring in water may also decrease your need for epidurals or other spinal pain relief. 

3. Easy to Change Position 
Water birthing gives women freedom of movement during labor. Water carries a Beyonce force that helps push the body upwards. Due to this, it becomes easy for laboring women to change their position easily. Moreover, it makes uterine contractions progress more smoothly. 

4. Reduces the Need for Painkillers 
Water birth is seen to be very helpful in soothing and gentling the birthing experience of women in labor. Therefore, as it reduces the pain, the mothers require fewer medications for pain relief while giving birth.

5. Reduces Risk of Tearing 
Women who choose water birthing are less likely to experience a severe tear or need a surgical cut. The reason is that the perineum becomes relaxed by sitting in warm water which makes it more elastic when the baby is delivered. 

6. Improves Blood Circulation 
Relaxing in warm water during delivery triggers the release of endorphins in women in labor. Therefore, it improves the blood flow to the uterine muscles and helps in lobor pain management.  The buoyancy from the water improves blood circulation and provides oxygen for your baby. 

7. More Privacy and Focus 
Apart from all these, one of the major advantages of water birthing is that it makes the mother in labor more present during the birthing process. The environment created during the process heightens the sense of privacy and concentration. Therefore, it enhances the birthing experience of a mother. 
Are There Any Risks of Water Birthing? 
Everything comes with its potential pros and cons, and so does the water-birthing process. It does have some risks, so always remember to talk to your healthcare provider before your delivery day. 

Here we have listed some of the problems that could happen during the process of water birthing. 

1. May Infect You and Your Baby 
Blood and other fluids are the natural part of labor and delivery. So when the baby is born under the water, it will be directly exposed to the bacteria Therefore, it will increase the risk of infection in the newborn. 

2. Longer Medical Intervention 
In case during the birthing process, the mother and newborn have some medical emergency, it could take longer to get out of the tub for interventions. 

3. Dehydration or Overheating 
In case the water is too hot, overheating can become a risk for the mother and the baby. Make sure the temperature of the water is carefully monitored, and you are drinking fluids, taking the consent of your healthcare provider. 

4. Monitor Baby’s Breath
Sometimes water aspiration happens during a water birth, but it’s possible. However, your healthcare experts are trained to scoop the baby out of the water as soon as they are delivered. 

5. Risk of Umbilical Cord Breakage 
The umbilical cord could break before you deliver your baby. It is very rare, but it is a serious event if happens to anyone. Therefore, it becomes essential to opt for a water birthing process only if your healthcare expert recommends it.

Who Is Eligible for the Process of Water Birthing?
 According to the experts, the process of water birthing is only recommended for women with low risk of pregnancies. Other than this here are some criteria by which it water birthing is avoided: 

• Healthy full-term pregnancy 
• Pregnant with one baby (not twins) 
• No history of high blood pressure 
• No history of bleeding disorder 
• No complications during labor 
• Must meet pre-pregnancy BMI criteria 

Can You Opt For Water Birthing At Hospital?
The process of water birthing in hospitals is very common. Opting for a water birth in a hospital setting makes it easy and beneficial for the delivering mother. It allows pregnant women to deliver in a deep tub of water tub while also having access to state-of-the-art medical care if needed. 

At  Sage Anandam, women can choose the process of water birthing, with all medical care and interventions. This includes prenatal education, patient-led interventions, and shared decision-making. Research has found that when laboring women are buoyant in deep warm water, pain-inhibiting endorphins flood their brains and put them into an altered state of consciousness and relaxation. 

Water Birthing Process At SAGE Anandam 
Opting for a hospital-based water birth, such as the one offered at Apollo Sage Hospitals, offers expectant mothers the benefits of experiencing labor and delivery in the comforting embrace of a deep, warm water tub. Simultaneously, it ensures access to advanced medical assistance should the need arise.

At Sage Anandam within Apollo Sage Hospitals, our water birth facilities are designed to create a serene and secluded space for mothers, accommodating any individuals they wish to have by their side throughout the labor and delivery process.

FAQs

1.  Is water birthing painful?
No! Water birthing is less painful compared to the natural birthing process. The buoyancy and tranquillity lead to reduced discomfort and pain. However, it is important to note that it varies from person to person. 

2. Is water birth better than a natural delivery?
According to some research, women who deliver in water might have a lower rate of cesarean sections. In addition, 42 days post-delivery, women who gave birth in water showed a reduced incidence of stress incontinence than those who delivered naturally.  

3. Is water birthing safe for both the mother and the baby?
When conducted under proper medical supervision and in suitable conditions, water birthing is generally considered safe for both the mother and the baby. However, it's essential to consult with healthcare experts to ensure it is a suitable option based on individual circumstances.

4. How is the process of water birthing different from traditional birthing methods? 
In water birthing, the mother experiences labor while immersed in warm water, providing comfort and pain relief. This differs from traditional birthing methods, where the mother labor and delivers in a hospital bed or a setting without water immersion.