Columbia Gorge Midwifery is pleased to provide waterbirth as an option for our clients

Ahhhhh!

The appeal of warm water submersion for labor and birth comes as no surprise. Many find bathing in a tub of warm water eases the days stress, relieves tension and greatly reduces the effects of anxiety. Soaking in warm water also relaxes and restores tired aching muscles. We know that warm water submersion can provide the same benefits for women in labor and birth.

Effects of labor and birth on the baby are often mirrored by the mother’s experience. If the mother is not fearful, anxious or stressed, but is relaxed and able to cope with her labor, baby generally does equally as well, thus reaping the benefits of waterbirth.

Warm water submersion during labor actually does more than relax the women in labor. The benefits of waterbirth include:

• Increased mobility of the laboring women aiding her ability to change positions more freely

• Increased buoyancy reducing pressure on the abdomen which can promote more efficient uterine contractions and better blood circulation

• Helping the laboring women to conserve her energy so that it can be used for a more efficient labor

• Increases privacy and intimacy, enabling her to let go and focus inward as labor strengthens

• Stimulates the touch and temperature nerve fibers in the skin. This blocks impulses from the pain fibers reducing the women’s perception of pain in labor while increasing her bodies ability to release a hormone called endorphins (our bodies own morphine). Many women find this as helpful as a narcotic without the side effects

• May facilitate progress in labor by naturally enhancing the levels of oxitocin released creating more effective and rhythmic contractions. This can be especially true with active labor

• Relaxes and softens pelvic floor muscles and perineum, which is believed to result in fewer injuries to these tissues

Gentle Beginnings

Women, who discover that warm water submersion is soothing and comforting while they are in labor, often want to stay in and give birth in the water. Many parents are interested in knowing about the baby’s first breath and how it happens with waterbirth.

• The mechanisms that come into play with a birth “on land” are the same as in water for the newborn

• As the baby births into the water the umbilical cord continues to provide oxygen to the baby just as it does in the womb

• Once the baby’s whole body is birthed he/she is brought up out of the water and gently placed in mother’s arms

• Contact with air, gravity, light and sound stimulates the initiation of baby’s first breath

• The complex mechanisms facilitating this transition time in all babies (land or water birth) is a process that occurs over a 24 hour period and is not actually an immediate occurrence. This can be observed in the appearance of a normal newborn as its color and appearance changes during this amazing time

There are a few circumstances where waterbirth maybe contraindicated for birth:

• Non-reassuring fetal heart tones

• Excessive vaginal bleeding

• Maternal fever

• Mod/severe pre-eclampsia

• Untreated communicable blood or skin diseases such as staph or hepatitis

Labor and birth in water is just one of the many ways in which women can receive support and nurturing during their birth experience. If you have questions about our waterbirth services we would be happy to talk with you.

You may also be interested in visiting Waterbirth International’s website at http://www.waterbirth.org/ for extensive studies, articles and information on the safety of waterbirth.

Columbia Gorge Midwifery
(541)490-3140
Mamascompanion@earthlink.net