what exactly does water birth mean? How do you do it?

Answer 1

Water birth is when you deliver your baby in water. Certain hospitals do it, not all, and a lot of midwives can assist with it at home, and they either have you do it, in your bath, or they bring a blow up , pool looking thing. I hear that it is a good way of delivering without as much stress on you or the baby. The entry into the world is warm, and wet, like the womb. Goodluck!

Answer 2

Water birth is a method of giving birth in a bathtub or pool full of warm water. Proponents believe this method has many benefits for both mother and infant, and is a safe alternative to standard types of delivery.

The warm water is relaxing and eases labour by reducing the excretion of adrenaline caused by pain and fear. The water also stimulates the release of endorphins. The elasticity of the perineum is increased. These all help to result in an easier birth with fewer lacerations and tears.

With increased buoyancy in the water the pregnant woman can change her position easily. In most cases, water births are shorter and less painful and few women need analgesics. The buoyancy also causes a hormonal change in the mother's body, giving her more oxytocin (the hormone responsible for labour contractions), making her labour more efficient.

Specially designed birth pools are large enough to accommodate a labor support person such as the father, or a midwife, and some are equipped with waterbed style heaters to maintain optimum water temperature. However, a roomy standard tub is also sufficient for those planning a home birth on a tight budget.

The great majority of women who have experienced water birth say that they would never want to have a baby any other way.

Birth is a strenuous experience for the baby as well. Water eases the transition from the birth canal to the outside world, because the warm liquid resembles the familiar intra-uterine environment, and softens light, colors and noises.

There are some concerns with regard to water births, though most objections are because the idea is unusual. There is a minute risk that the baby can aspirate water if it is raised to the surface after the birth and then re-immersed. However, midwives and obstetricians are well aware of this risk and once the baby is brought to the surface the baby is placed straight on the woman's breast to feed and not re-immersed in the water. The baby's first breath is triggered by the absence of the water over the face which triggered the mammalian diving reflex along with contact with air pressure on the trigeminal nerve area of the face. For the first breath to take place the baby switches over from fetal circulation to newborn circulation, closing the shunts in the heart, creating pulmonary circulation, changing the pressures in the lungs, pushing out fluids that are already present in lung spaces and allowing for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This process takes a few minutes to completely initiate, during which time the newborn typically is still receiving oxygen from the umbilical cord. There is no threat that the newborn will inhale water during the birth process since its trigger to breathe oxygen is not present until it makes contact with the air.

Another objection raised is that the water may increase the chance of infection for the baby, but to date there has been no research to support this contention. Midwives and doctors experienced with water births have not noted an increase in infection rates for either mother or baby.

Answer 3

from wikipedia:

"Water birth is a method of giving birth in a bathtub or pool full of warm water. Proponents believe this method has many benefits for both mother and infant, and is a safe alternative to standard types of delivery."

you probably need a midwife for this. most hospitals won't do it because it requires installation of special birthing tubs and some people feel it is not safe. i linked the article for more info

Answer 4

like having your baby at home in a kiddie pool filled wit water

Answer 5

have your baby in a tub