20 INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT WATER BIRTH

Tah! Did I hear you say water kini? Laishe Yemoja..lol! Well, it is water birth and even though I know that it is not really a popular practice in Nigeria now, I believe that in a few years, it will be the fad of the moment, just like Brazzzzilian, sorry, Peruvian hair. Well, what are we looking at today? A very interesting method of delivery. In many nations of the world, like the USA, Germany, United Kingdom and France, water birth is not just a well-appreciated method of delivery, its popularity is soaring and it is just a matter of time before it takes Nigeria by the storm (I have this feeling some private obstetrics and gynaecology clinics in VI and 'Ba-na-na' Island might even be offering it). But worefa, let's roll!

1. WHAT IS WATERBIRTH?
Just as the name implies, this is a childbirth that occurs under water. It is also referred to as underwater delivery. Water birth, in this context, applies to humans.

2. HOW IS IT DONE?
Shortly after a woman goes into labour, she enters a large container called a birth pool full of warm water and then the entire delivery is then supervised by a trained midwife or specialist birth attendants. Loved ones can also be around to witness the spectacular moment.

3. IS IT EXPENSIVE?
Well, as Flavour sang in Ada Ada, 'better soup na money kill am'. The truth here is that a water delivery may be somewhat expensive, at least for the average Nigerian (not all of us are Senators o!). A birthing tub can go for as high as $300 (that's about N50,000 or 30 pots worth of egusi soup and dried fish for many) or more depending on the size and the luxury, or yes, the brand. However, in countries where water births are common, one can actually get to rent a birthing pool for a fraction of that amount. But I am just thinking that a typical Nigerian family spends as much as that even on a 'dry' delivery.

4. HOW SAFE IS IT?
According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, RCOG, (United Kingdom) and the Royal College of Midwives (United Kingdom), in their Joint Statement No1 water births are safe and can be used for healthy women whose pregnancies do not have complications but the same is not for pregnancies with complications (for example women with diabetes, hypertension and pre-eclampsia). It was also stated that complications with underwater birth are rare, and that they can even be rarer with good practice guidelines. But it must also be noted that there are also some other concerns about safety despite the many positives that come with a child birth. Some scientists, like those of the American Academy of Paediatrics believe that more studies have to be done before the safety of the procedure can be fully ascertained.

5. IS IT GOOD FOR PREMATURE DELIVERY?
No, it is not. Consult with your doctor for more information and recommendations for your pregnancy.

6. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OR BENEFITS?
There are numerous benefits that come with a water birth:

-One, it allows the woman a greater control over the process of delivery itself as virtually any of the positions of labor can be utilized. Women can also hold on to the handles while contracting.

-The pool is also big enough for the partner of the mother or the midwife to enter and assist with the delivery. Surely, having your partner inside while you deliver is a memorable experience indeed.

-According to the Joint Statement No1 of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, RCOG, (United Kingdom) and the Royal College of Midwives (United Kingdom), some of the benefits of an underwater birth include 'less painful contractions, less need for pharmacological anaesthesia, shorter labour, less need for augmentation, with no known adverse effects for the woman herself.' But please note that there may be very rarely, some clinically significant risks such as waterborne infections, cord rupture with bleeding and respiratory problems (that can include fresh water drowning). But on the whole, water deliveries are not more dangerous than 'dry' births.

-Also, being in the water means that the woman is buoyant and feels lighter, thus making movement easier and labour less stressful. The calming environment of the warm water also reduces the secretion of cortisol, the stress hormone. For many women, the warm water makes it easier to cope with the incredible pains of labour contraction. Eyin aye, mojuba o! The buoyancy also makes it easier for you to push out the baby as everything feels lighter. Thus, it is also believed to be less traumatic for the baby.

7. WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES/CHALLENGES?
-Not all hospitals have water birth facilities even in nations where it is common. Water birth is still steadily gaining popularity.
-The cost is too exorbitant for many but we hope our very 'caring' government will do something to address the plight of the Nigerian woman, not even on this issue of water birth but in tackling the absolutely depressing issue of maternal mortality in the nation.
-Some Nigerian women will surely cringe at this...lol! Why? Fear of anything water. But as you can see, your baby is not going to drown. All you need is to ensure the best practice guidelines are followed.

8. WHO CAN SUPERVISE A WATERBIRTH?
A specially-trained midwife or birth attendant (in Nigeria, traditional birth attendants are sometimes called Iya Abiye). It is also important that an obstetrician be close at hand in case of complications.

9. IS MY BABY NOT GOING TO DROWN?
I know that this is the first question that will come to the minds of many, especially mothers (my name na so wetin you expect bifor?..lol). Well, the simple answer is NO. Your baby will not drown while the delivery is being conducted under water in the birth pool. Why? It has do with the physiology of the newborn and we will take a look at this in a heartbeat.

Babies born under water do not swallow the water or drown because of the natural dive reflex present in them which ensures that they do not breathe under water. The stimulus for the first breath is the atmosphere or a whisp of air on the cheeks. Babies actually spend all their nine months in the womb in a special kind of water called the amniotic fluid so the issue of drowning does not come up. The baby is brought up to the air just seconds after delivery and placed on the mother's chest.

10. IS THE WATER NOT TOO HOT OR TOO COLD?
Cold or hot? Well, a study from Sweden recommends that the water in the birth pool has its temperature set to between 34 and 37o C but the final temperature within this range depends on when the mother feels maximum comfort. The temperature of the water is monitored every hour with a thermometer and is adjusted accordingly. Also, to ensure that the water is clean and free from contamination, bromine, hydrogen peroxide or other similar materials used for spas and pools are added. For a first-time mother, filling of the pool with water (connect to a potable source of water) should start when the uterine contractions become regular and are just a few minutes apart for one hour.

11. HOW LONG IS MY BABY GOING TO BE UNDER WATER?
Actually, just a few seconds.

12. CAN I TRY WATER BIRTH FOR MORE THAN ONE PREGNANCY?
Yes, nothing stops you from enjoying a water delivery over and over again as long as you meet all the standard health requirements. Some mothers gave birth to all their kids underwater.

13. DO I LABOUR INSIDE THE WATER OR GET INSIDE WHEN?
Using hydrotherapy as its many benefits, and when it is applied to labour and deliveries, positive results have also been recorded. As an expectant mother, you enter the birthing tub once the labour pangs are relatively more regular and just a few minutes apart in an hour. The other stages of the labour and delivery will be done inside the water.

14. CAN ALL PREGNANT WOMEN GO FOR A WATER BIRTH?
Sorry. The answer is no. If you have a disease like herpes, water birth is also not recommended because it can be transmitted via the water to the baby. The position of the baby will also determine as some positions like the breech are not to be delivered underwater.

15. AND WHAT OF THE BIRTH POOL? CAN IT BURST?
A water birth is carried out in a special container that is called a birth pool. Birth pools come in different sizes, colours and shapes and are specially designed and some can be permanently installed while some others can be moved around. Those that are designed to be inflated upon use are usually made to the highest possible standards and bursting while in use is not an issue. Some other birth pools are made from plastic, metal or even ceramic, and can even be converted to other uses such as therapeutic massage. Inflating the birth pool takes an average of just 10 minutes with an electric air pump. Oh, sorry, I just remembered that our NEPA or whatever they are called is a big mess. And yes, you are not expected to use any jewelry inside the birthing pool.

16. DO I NEED TO PRACTISE FOR IT OR SOMETHING?
Well, not really. However, you need to realize that there are two main ways by which a mother can enter or come out of the birth pool. One, she can simply step in or step out and this is even good because it ensures flexion at the pelvic region and can even be beneficial to the progress of labour. The second way is for her to sit on the side and then swing her legs over. Eta fso.

17. I HAVE HAD A CS BEFORE, CAN I?
No. It is not advisable. See your obstetrician for more information.

18. WHAT OF MULTIPLE BIRTHS?
Underwater delivery is not advisable for women giving birth to twins, triplets and so on. Sorry, Iya Ibeji.

19. MUST IT BE IN THE HOSPITAL?
No. You can have a water birth in your house, in a birthing center or a maternity. Just make sure that all the trained hands are in place to assist you.

20. WILL YOU TRY IT OUT? OR ALLOW IT FOR MADAM?
Well, that is now for you to decide...lol!

Childbirth is one of the most wonderful and awe-inspiring events in nature. But as an , you can even make it more exciting by trying out the water method (consult with your doctor first). So that your child can proudly boast to friends in the school's playground that he was 'Made in Water'...lol! Well, he wouldn't be lying. From water, we all came.

Special thanks to Georgia Peach for being kind enough to let us reproduce the picture above.

NB: CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE EMBARKING ON A WATER BIRTH.

THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR TIME.
(by the way, the chicken na joke o...lol!).
http://www..com/20-interesting-things-about-water-birth/

WOW!!! Interesting adding to my library

Na so dem born me jare. No lele.

This birth type de somehow o. So d blood comin out of d woman and her water will all be in the bath tub Abi? Isn't that unhealthy? When the baby crown and there is a little delay wont the water in the tub fill the baby's nostril? I dont subscribe for this kind birth at all at all. Nice one @ poster

My concern is about the baby because the first breath of a baby in the first minute of life is highly essential for the survival and well being of that baby. A fetus delivered under water may be more prone to birth asphyxia. Sure in the womb, the baby is submerged in water, that is the amniotic fluid and does not breath with the nostrils while in that environment but gets oxygen and other nutrients through the placent. At birth and in some cases, immediately before the baby is born, this process is compromised as the p;acenta detaches form the maternal uterus and the newborn has to depend on the other route of obtaining oxygen which is the nostrils. Further compromising this route by immersing the baby in water might have dire consequences for the baby. If you have been in a labour room your will notice that the newborn may be turned upside down upon delivery or some medical tools placed in the nostrils all to clear to make breathing feasible for the baby. It may be ok for the mother but I will not prescribe this mode of delivery for any women. I am glad more research is being done in this field

where you paid for this publicity stunt

Interesting

and yhu xpekt me to read all dis?

Watermelon: My concern is about the baby because the first breath of a baby in the first minute of life is highly essential for the survival and well being of that baby. A fetus delivered under water may be more prone to birth asphyxia. Sure in the womb, the baby is submerged in water, that is the amniotic fluid and does not breath with the nostrils while in that environment but gets oxygen and other nutrients through the placent. At birth and in some cases, immediately before the baby is born, this process is compromised as the p;acenta detaches form the maternal uterus and the newborn has to depend on the other route of obtaining oxygen which is the nostrils. Further compromising this route by immersing the baby in water might have dire consequences for the baby. If you have been in a labour room your will notice that the newborn may be turned upside down upon delivery or some medical tools placed in the nostrils all to clear to make breathing feasible for the baby. It may be ok for the mother but I will not prescribe this mode of delivery for any women. I am glad more research is being done in this field

even with your username, you dont like this method, who am i to support it

Water birth just like water sex is very bad. Very unhygenic and incredibly unsafe. Don't try it if you cherish your health and that of your baby. Once again...NEVER TRY IT.

Hmmmmm

hmmmmm! end time tinz....

Really cool.... I heard it here first.

Its called Natural birth..you cam google it and see. its the best way to give birth.

Seen a video of a water birth before, the hubby was also inside the pool, i'll try this medium if my wife to be is okay by it. So relaxing, the water actually helps the nerves to relax.

why do we human beings like making things complicated for ourselves, i don't see any sense in dis

U for kukuma go stream or ocean go born d pikin,must we copy everything d oyibos do.

Interesting read..never heard of it before.Am I going to attempt it? I doubt but it looks fun

free2ryhme: where you paid for this publicity stunt

bros who dem come pay money again for publicity.

Dude stop wasting your time, no Nigerian living in Nigeria will ever want to try this.

Unsafe delivery method!
Don't compare the Amniotic fluid with water. They're two different thing.

Do you even know why baby cry when they're born? They cry because they're need oxygen badly! If you have a long delivery, take for instance the baby did not come out once, then am sorry for you...

Relaxing during pregnancy is a bad idea, as it would not allow the proper continuation of Positive feedback mechanism which is very important during paturation.

There are a lot of delivery methods used in western worlds that we don't use. some of this is home birth setting in the hospital, hypnosis birth, active birth to name a few. People even squat (the old fashioned way our forefathers used) to deliver. its known to be faster because it works with gravity and helps to put pressure. Nigeria is backward in child delivery.

Quite interesting. Do those places that run such services have reserve pool? If one has to rent one themselves is it advisable to rent a reserve as well and set both up such the lady poos? I know some women poo in the processing of delivery. I could imagine the husband/boyfriend inside the birth-pool and there comes the unimaginable.

tjfulloption: hmmmmm! end time tinz....

the religious bigots are here!

So that your child can proudly boast to friends in the school's playground that he was 'Made in Water'...lol! Well, he wouldn't be lying. From water, we all came.

@bolded... Kulyie and her band of feminists will be boiling over that..

Is this some sort of joke or what?

Ain't nobody putting me or my baby in a container of water.

Religious bigots!!!!

That chicken pix got me laughing hard!!!!lols

In other news!!! Check ♍y signature!

BRIAN TRACY TO BE IN LAGOS!!

Holla! If you r interested to be part of the event.

ETT "End time things"

naughtybynature: U for kukuma go stream or ocean go born d pikin,must we copy everything d oyibos do.

if we no copy oyibos who we go con copy. I dont know why nigerians are always afriad to move forward.