Water birth is now becoming a popular way of bringing babies into the world. Know the facts from someone who has gone through it.

Water birth is giving birth on water. Proponents of water birth believe that it makes an easier childbirth.

I had water birth with my third child. And even if my birth practitioner told me that water birth would make a difference, my third time was still the most painful of my birth experience.

But it was not because of the water. It was because of a mix of factors like my age (mid 30s), my shape (no exercise) and my mental state that contributed to the excruciating pain. But thinking of it now, it may have been worse if I did not have water birth.

Having said that here are the facts I learned about water birth based on my own research and experience:

1.       The baby would not drown in water during water birth because she is still connected to the placenta which supplies her food and air.

2.       Enemas are mostly administered to women to avoid passing of stool in the water during labor.

3.       Birth centers advocate water births and not hospitals.

4.       The water should be kept a temperature to avoid hypothermia to the woman and the baby.

5.       There will be lesser shock for the baby coming out in the water. Thus, she will be calm and would carry this trait through life.

6.       A woman going for water birth has no choice for any form of anesthesia.

7.       Some birthing centers use water tubs only to alleviate the pain during labor. Actual delivery is done in a conventional way.

8.       The water unquestionably relaxes the body but the shape and size of the tub must also be considered. If the tub is bigger or if the woman is smaller, it is harder to relax.

9.       Women who are carrying babies in breech position or are carrying twins may not be allowed to have water births.

10.   All the substance expelled during the process of labor and delivery all get in the water. The woman is literally sitting on her dirt and the byproducts of her pregnancy. Not so sanitary. The baby may not drown but could definitely swallow some water and that is not good.

Each birth is an individual experience and whatever form of childbirth a woman chooses – full anesthesia, selective anesthesia, or all natural – must be respected.          After all, it is her body that does the birthing and not the outside elements. If you would ask me if I would do water birth again, I would say, once is enough.