Water birth is the process of giving birth in a tub of warm water. Some women choose to labor in the water and get out for delivery. Other women decide to stay in the water for the delivery as well. Here are two of the BIG reasons moms should spend some time in the water birth tub during labor:
Pain management – Birthing tubs can be used as a pain management technique. When you are in labor you are going to experience pain and it is up to you to decide how you want to manage it. One of our favorite ways to use the water birth tub is when mom needs a weightless break. The effect of buoyancy lessens a mother’s body weight, allowing free movement and new positioning.
Whenever possible, it’s best to be fully submerged to at least your chest. While any bit of warm water can help in coping with contractions, being fully submerged provides more buoyancy and warmth to provide the most pain relief.
Stress Relief- It is easy to get a bit anxious during labor. Using a birth tub for just a short period of time can lessen anxiety and help lower high blood pressure. Who doesn’t want a nice warm bath on an exhausting day? When you are relaxed physically it is easier to relax mentally and focus on the birth process.
Lets not forget about baby! Your baby’s birth experience is just as important and yours. When your baby is born in the water it eases your baby’s transition to the outside world. This is especially true if your labor is quick.
We know what you are thinking, “How does baby breathe when born in the water?” and that is a great question! Simply exiting the womb doesn’t trigger breathing. Babies are triggered to breath when they feel the change in temperature. When a birthing pool is kept at a safe temperature, a baby will continue to receive oxygen via the umbilical cord. Once brought swiftly out of the tub, the change in temperature will trigger baby to take a first breath.
At Ashland Birth Center we want you to feel comfortable and secure during your labor, and our inflatable water birth tub will quickly help give you the relief you need to push you through the rest of your labor. Please keep in mind that water birth tubs are not available everywhere, so make sure that if you are interested in at least a little bit of time in the birthing tub, you find a care provider who offers it as an option!