| For many soon-to-be parents around the world, giving | | | | many benefits. The mother is not overtly stressed or |
| birth in water is still not a top choice but there is a | | | | anxious because the water soothes her muscles and |
| growing interest in this birthing method because of its | | | | there is less pain than conventional birthing because |
| many mother and child-friendly benefits. | | | | water stimulates the body's natural pain inhibitors. The |
| Water birthing may have just started to gain popularity | | | | water also provides buoyancy which makes it easier |
| in the west, but the idea is not new. Traditionally, | | | | for the mother to change positions and it also provides |
| women in Romania have been giving birth in warm | | | | privacy for many self-conscious or first-time moms. |
| natural pools (usually in the summer) for a long time | | | | The water also provides a less traumatizing |
| with few complications even before 1960, when Igor | | | | environment for the baby because it is similar to the |
| Tjarkovsky, a Soviet researcher and swimming | | | | womb's environment and shields it from sound and |
| teacher had scientifically pioneered the idea of giving | | | | light, thus preventing over stimulation at birth. Many |
| birth in water. Tjarkovsy has facilitated the births of | | | | midwives, obstetricians and birthing experts say that |
| hundreds of babies in a warm tank of water using his | | | | water birth can also minimize fetal complications. |
| method since then. Seventeen years later, Michel | | | | If you choose to deliver your baby through water |
| Ordent, a French obstetrician, started the use of the | | | | birthing, look for a hospital or birthing center that allows |
| warm tub. The technique proved to be highly popular | | | | water birth and has medical personnel trained in the |
| and spread rapidly. By the 1980s, more than four | | | | process. It is also recommended that you inspect the |
| thousand babies in the USA had been born through | | | | tub and the birthing equipment before you give birth, as |
| water birth. | | | | well as their prices. Renting a tub may be an option |
| To start birthing, the mother in labor is placed in a tub | | | | too. If you are going to give birth at your nearest |
| with warm water. The baby is monitored by a special | | | | hospital, review their policies on water birth (some do |
| underwater device. The mother stays in the tub while | | | | not welcome it yet). Also, check on your insurance |
| she labors and she can choose whether to give birth | | | | company to see if they will cover the expenses of |
| while submerged or give birth outside the tub. If the | | | | your water birth. |
| baby is submerged when it is delivered, it is perfectly | | | | Despite its many benefits, water birth is not for |
| safe because babies do not breathe in air until they | | | | everyone. It cannot be performed for breeched, |
| are exposed to air. An attendant quickly takes the | | | | premature and multiple births. If you have had a risky |
| baby out of the water and hands it to the mother. This | | | | diagnosis during your pregnancy (e.g. susceptibility to |
| process must always be under the supervision of | | | | bleeding or an infection), talk to your doctor first. Having |
| trained medical personnel and should not be attempted | | | | herpes, which is transferred through water, is also not |
| on your own. | | | | ideal for water birth. If your body is quite inflexible, you |
| Despite its unconventional nature, many nurses and | | | | may also have to resort to the conventional way. |
| healthcare practitioners say that water birthing has | | | | |