Water babies

‘I had a water birth with my third child and it was the best delivery I’ve had. It only took three hours from the first contraction to the time my daughter was born, and I didn’t need any drugs at all. I definitely felt more in control than with my other deliveries.’

Are there any risks?

Many people are concerned that babies may take a breath under water, but the important thing to remember is that babies in the womb don’t breathe air. Their lungs are filled with at least half a pint of fluid when they’re born and when they take their first breath, the fluid is added to their blood circulation, filling up the new blood vessels that open up around the lungs. So when a baby is born in water, it will only be stimulated to breathe when it comes into contact with cool air. In a water birth, the baby is born from a small womb into a larger womb, and will only breathe when brought to the surface and the cold air touches the its face.