Why do people boil water when someone is about to have a baby?

Answer 1

its done to sterilize instruments used for birth. You can also soak gauze in it for a hot compress..

Answer 2

I just looked this up and it turns out there's no practical reason for this. during the middle ages and longer the men were told to do this get them out of the way. at the time by the time they got wood, started a fire and actually got the water boiling the baby would be born. Sexist, but as a man all I'd have to be told was " get the hell out!"-:) these days midwives come with their own sterlized instruments, a doc would probably tell you if instruments have to be sterlized youd use alcohol. But also, think to all the movies and shows where a baby has to be born on the spot. what's not there? boiling water! and the baby comes out fine.

Vin

Answer 3

Boiled water was used to help ease the baby out. Water (boiled disinfected water) was applied to the vaginal opening/birth canal opening. Now-a-days birthing is done at hospitals with doctors who use a scalpel to reduce the chances of ripping by performing an episiotomy. Apparently, the water being dabbed on the right area created more elasticity.

Are you sorry you asked now?

Answer 4

Back in the olden days they used boiling water to sterilize instruments used in surgery. So for child birth, they'd boil a knife and the foreceps so the woman and baby wouldn't get an infection...you know, from the last mom and baby they were used on. They don't really do this in real life anymore...except maybe in Ahmish communities or third-world countries.

Answer 5

They probably don't much anymore. This is a sort of cliche or symbolic act dating back to the time when home births were the norm, and boiling water was used to sterilize stuff (can't think what, but probably foreceps or something) used in the birth.

Answer 6

To cook the placenta in after the baby is delivered.

LOL

I always assumed it was because in the olden days, there was no other way to sterilize or clean things than to use soap and water. Plus, the baby would have to be washed after being born, the mother would have to be cleaned up.

Answer 7

To sanitize things as that is only done when a birth happens in a place like a home. In a hospital things are already sanitary so it does not need to be done. You want to expose a newborn to as few germs as possible; as it is very easy for a newborn to pick up germs and that can be very dangerous.

Answer 8

If you mean, when they have a baby at home, it is for sanitation reasons. To sanatize a towel or the scissors to cut the cord.

Answer 9

In case the baby wants some ramen noodles.

Answer 10

Dr. Universe . . . . If you put the Doctors hands in boiling water, he may not like it ! ! ! ! !