Expert: Cheri Purpur - 11/5/2004

Question
I want to know about "water births",what it this?
Thanks.

Answer
Hello Karachi. Many women really like laboring while being immersed in warm water. The contractions are much easier to bear, she is more relaxed and labor progresses better. We use a children's back yard blow up pool of five feet in diameter- three rings high. Don't use a larger one. Once they are in the water, most women will not get out. It is perfectly okay to allow the baby to be born under water. The transition for the baby is so much gentler. The baby's body must stay totally under water until the WHOLE baby is born- THEN bring the baby above the water- only when the baby's skin touches the air will it try to breathe- it will not try to breathe under water. You would have a hard time finding a hospital willing to allow a waterbirth, but there are lots of birthing centers and midwives who do waterbirths. Hope that answers your question. Cheri.