In all old movies or tv shows, when a woman is having a baby they always tell someone (the husband) to boil water. Why is this and what is the purpose of it?
2006-08-30 12:56:49 · 14 answers · asked by sour_apple 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
They did that to give the father something to do! LOL! The last thing they wanted in the old days was have the father around while the mothers were in labor. :)
2006-08-30 13:03:40 · answer #1 · answered by Brenda K 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The old response to the midwife by the "father to be", when he asked what she wanted him to do with the boiled water, was "Make me some tea, it's going to be a long night!".
But one would presume to sterilize the string and scisssors used to tie off and cut the umbilical cord.
2006-08-30 20:03:53 · answer #2 · answered by diane_b_33594 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They boil water so they can sterilize the instruments they're going to use, also the cloths and whatever is needed for the birth & touching the newborn.'
2006-08-30 20:02:54 · answer #3 · answered by Bluealt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its sterile water to wash the baby in
2006-08-31 14:29:56 · answer #4 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hollywood overdramatizes, but it is mainly to sterilize anything that comes in contact with the baby or the mother. (Instruments to cut the umbilical cord, etc)
2006-08-30 20:02:29 · answer #5 · answered by mountain_laurel1183 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For general sterilization applications before, during and after birth to prevent postpartum infections.
Many women died after giving birth due to lack of sterilization.
2006-08-30 20:02:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because in the old days it was traditional to have tea during the birth of a child.
2006-08-30 20:03:58 · answer #7 · answered by Walter D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because that is how they sterilized things back then. So they would use it to clean anything they were going to be using for the delivery.
2006-08-30 20:04:33 · answer #8 · answered by mommyem 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the water is to be used to douche the woman and to clean up the newborn baby.
2006-08-30 20:10:38 · answer #9 · answered by gentleheart 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to use sterile water for the wash clothes that they use on the baby and the mother...duh
2006-08-30 20:00:06 · answer #10 · answered by ptmamas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋