O water birth it is a form of childbirth in which the mother is in a bathtub with water heated between 36°C and 37°C, covering the entire belly. In this type of delivery, the environment is dimly lit and the father or companion can stay in the bathtub, supporting the mother-to-be.
Advantages of water birth for the baby:
This type of birth is very natural for the baby, as it reaches the world surrounded by the water that is heated, just as it was inside the uterus. Some doctors claim that this type of birth is dangerous, as the child can suck up water, but other doctors counter this claim saying that this type of birth is safe, and that the baby, when leaving the mother's womb, she still breathes for about 20 seconds through the umbilical cord, until her lungs expand and he starts to breathe on his own, not running the risk of becoming to swamp.
Advantages of waterbirth for the mother-to-be:
Water birth is very beneficial for the mother-to-be, as warm water causes increased blood flow, decrease in blood pressure, in addition to muscle relaxation, which relieves the pain of contractions, facilitating the exit of the baby.
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Comparing water birth with normal birth, the first is usually faster and less painful than the second, in addition to being calmer for the baby.
It is important to remember that this type of delivery is not recommended in: premature labor; fetal distress; presence of meconium; diabetic women; women who experience bleeding; women with viral illnesses such as HIV positive, hepatitis B, genital herpes with active lesion; when the baby is very big; cases where the mother and baby need to be monitored; etc.
In Brazil, there are few hospitals that offer this type of delivery, but in some cities you can find doctors and obstetric nurses who deliver this delivery at home. Not forgetting that if the mother-to-be decides to have this birth at home, she must have the participation of a trained medical team and also an ambulance with an ICU for emergency cases.
By Paula Louredo
Graduated in Biology
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
MORAES, Paula Louredo. "How is water birth performed and what are its advantages?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/biologia/parto-na-agua.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
