| Water babies
In the 1970’s Michel Odent, a French obstetrician, discovered that many women giving birth in water had a quicker and easier delivery than those labouring on dry land. Midwife Clare Winter looks at water births, 30 years on In the 1980s women in the UK began to rebel against what they saw as the ‘medicalisation’ of the birth process. Doctors were encouraging women to have their babies in hospital, where the latest technology could monitor and determine the course of labour. But many women wanted a greater degree of control over how and where they gave birth. When Michael Odent’s film about water births was shown on TV, the idea caught on. Here was an option that gave women the opportunity to have a more natural birth – and there were other advantages, too. So why do people want a water birth? There are psychological benefits. Feeling more in control, the woman in labour is less stressed. Lower stress levels reduce the perception of pain, and help the woman to feel more confident about her ability to give birth.
‘I had my first baby in water, and out of all of my labours, it was by far the best. I won't fob you off and say that it didn't hurt, but the water helped tremendously – I blew bubbles over the surface to keep me calm.’
‘I had a water birth six years ago in the GP unit of my local hospital and it was fantastic. It was my first pregnancy and I went into hospital about three hours after the first twinge. Once I’d been examined, the midwife announced that I was six cms [centimetres] dilated and so I could enter the pool. After that I stayed there, with my partner carefully monitoring the temp of the water – he had to do something, while I was busy bobbing about. Regular monitoring was done while I was in the water, which reassured us that all was OK, and two hours later my firstborn arrived. New dad cut the cord. Pain relief wasn’t needed, and I got out of the pool to deliver the placenta, while new dad helped to wrap his precious bundle. The water kept me calm and warm throughout, but also cooled me in the pushing stages. At 9lb 10oz my baby girl was rather large, but her birth was far easier than my next child, a 7lb 12oz boy born at home. I would recommend a water birth every time.’ ‘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.
If a woman has a long labour, she’ll tend to use the pool intermittently. But if she chooses to stay in the water most of the time, the midwife can monitor progress with the help of a waterproof Doppler. Some enthusiastic midwives do get into the pool to give some massage during labour, but for the birth they’re usually on dry land. Mind you, partners often get in with their wives during labour and in various stages of undress! If progress is slow and labour stops Or if the baby shows signs of being tired – there’s time to go to hospital for help. The important thing is to have plenty of towels at hand, to dry off, and have a bag ready ‘just in case’. How do I go about arranging a waterbirth? Most maternity units have a pool installed in the labour ward, or a portable one that can be used at home. To find out about the facilities in your area, you need to contact the Head of Midwifery or a Supervisor of Midwives in your local hospital. If you chose a home birth, you may have to hire your own pool and set it up. A number of places hire pools out. The Active Birth Centre and Splashdown are the best known. Some companies charge per week (£45), which can be extended on a daily basis. Others charge for a four-week period, in which case it works out at about £150. Some hospitals have portable pools and will bring them to your home. They generally charge for the pool liner, which is around £25. Whatever else, be sure to check that the floor of the room can take the weight of 160 gallons of water, otherwise the birth could be a rough ride.
On the whole, it’s easier to sort out a birthing pool than it is to find a midwife There are a number of birth centres and hospitals across the country, where there are experienced midwives happy to give you the care you want for a water birth. If you can’t find a qualified midwife through the NHS, you could consider an independent midwife. Their charges vary around the country from £1500 to £3500 for all antenatal and post-natal care. Some independent midwives are happy to provide care just during labour, and they charge between £800 and £1,200. If you want a water birth, it’s worth the effort It feels magical to labour and give birth in a pool. For a home birth you can light the room with candles and scent the air with relaxing clarysage or lavender aromatherapy oils too. Occasionally, the pool needs to be topped up with warm water to keep the temperature at a comfortable level – a job that provides a good diversion for anxious partners. Having delivered many babies under water, I can honestly say that, the expression on the baby’s face as she or he opens their eyes and looks into their mother’s face is unforgettable. |