When a woman goes into labor, why do people say boil a pot of water?

Answer 1

It use to be to sterilize any tools or utensils used. Now it's just a standard movie line like "I'm getting too old for this ****" or "cut the red wire".

Answer 2

Midwives have been doing this for centuries. It's used to sterilize whatever they can use to cut the cord. Hot compresses help soften the perineum, and help with birth, decreasing the chance of tearing. Also, the hot water and rags would be used to clean up the baby and the mother after birth (by this time it wouldnt be scalding anymore, as labor always took hours).

It was also a way to get the fathers out of the room, and all other neighbors and whoever else out.

Now, with more and more smart people giving birth in hospitals, needed things are sterilized by sterilizers in hospitals.

And the nurses now yell "Page the anesthesiologist - this one's uncomfortable"

Thank GOD for modern medicine!

Answer 3

The boiling water can be used to help sterilize equipment, but mostly it is to keep the water boiler busy and out of the way while the midwife delivers the baby.

Answer 4

Way back when people didn't go to the hospital, You would have to boil water to sterilize anything that you had to use to help deliver the baby like scissors or a knife to cut the umbilical cord. Thats all I could come up with.

Answer 5

In the old days, they said to boil some water. It was used to make coffee, make tea, and to sterilize things used during the birth.

Answer 6

I haven't a clue! That doesn't make any sense. Unless ur a midwife & u need boiled water 2 sterilize the equipment.

Answer 7

The boiling water was used to sterilize things....not for the sake of just boiling water.

Answer 8

Back when there weren't hospitals and people delivered at home, they used boiled (therefore sterile) water to keep things clean. It's really just a joke now.

Answer 9

I've watched some old movies and tv shows from the 70's. A mid-wife or doctor will warm up towels to A. clean the child after it's born(once the towels have cooled, of course. B. They are spread under the mother to protect bedding. C. A warm towel on the mother's brow can actually calm her, and it as very relaxing.
I hope this helps. Good luck!!

Answer 10

Back in the old days, boiling water was used to sterilize towels, forceps, gloves, etc. -- instruments that might be required during delivery to ensure that no infection would be transmitted to the baby or mother.

Answer 11

Any object coming into contact with the woman or her baby ought to be sterilized, and rinsing such objects in boiling water will often kill bacteria that might infect either one.