Unlike the earlier times, the medical science has been able to discover different types of childbirth and labor. In the list of types of childbirth, the Water birth is also an important one. This is a method of giving birth in which both the mother and the child are immersed in warm water. This method is often considered to be safe and offer many benefits for both mother and infant. Unlike the conventional childbirth, the Water birth is a pain reliever and a less traumatic birth experience for the baby. Those who are not aware about water birth must know its process and the pros and cons associated with it.
French obstetrician Frederick Leboyer pioneered the practice of immersing newly-born infants in warm water. His intention was to help ease the change of atmosphere from the womb to the outside world. During the late 1990s, thousands of women utilized the Water birth method at Odent's birthing center at Pithiviers. This really helped to lessen the effects of any possible birth trauma. Thus, the concept of water birth reached many other western countries. By 2007, the method of Water birth was adopted by more than 370 hospitals in the US. This is comparatively a new inclusion in the types of childbirth and labor.
A quantum research work has been done to ensure the safety of water birth and evaluate its fruitfulness. After an intense research, various assessments are being made. The importance of water birth is felt immensely as the new born babies find the properly heated water a comfortable place. This helps to ease the transition from the birth canal to the outside world. Water birth acts as an ideal tool of pain management for the mothers. The physicians have discovered that full immersion in water promotes physiological responses in the mother. This helps to reduce pain and make redistribution of blood volume easier.
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Water birth is considered to be of great help to stretch the perineum and lower the risk of skin tears. It is to be noted that if the whole process is managed efficiently no risk can come to both the mother and the baby. The critics consider that there is some risk of bacteria being transferred from infant to mother or mother to infant through water. Slowed labor is a major complain which people tend to make against water birth. Due to the relaxing effects of water it decreases the intensity of contractions leading to slow labor. Sometimes it also becomes difficult to assess the amount of maternal blood loss.
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