Is ‘water birth’ really safe?

Jan 14, 2009 in Pregnancy

Water birth is safe if done in a proper way with temperature of water maintained and checked at intervals. The temperature should be maintained between 95 F to 101 F, which is close to body temperature.
Read up more in our site about how it is done.

It helps in various ways because it is said to facilitate dilation and also helps in the reduction of blood pressure.
Also since it softens the perineal skin, chances of tear is less.
What is amazing is that babies come out smiling as the temperature is close to body temperature and the umbilical cord helps to anchor the baby.
Only when the baby is brought out, it starts crying.

Barbara Harper-‘director of water birth international research, resource and referral service writes that’

“most people find great comfort and repose with water. Perhaps because we begin our lives surrounded in liquid in the womb, this basic familiarity stays with us throughout our lives. Human beings are comprised primarily of water, and many special characteristics we have link us to aquatic mammals. Perhaps carrying the memory of a time when the human species had an ‘aquatic interlude’. A three day old fetus is 97%water and at eight months the fetus is 81% water. By the time a human has grown to adulthood, the adult body is still 50-70%water, depending on the amount of fatty tissues”

Of course one should go ahead only when the entire set up is good and facilities are adequate.

Read up more about water birth in the site.visit the site on other aspects of labor.