Many pregnant women are opting to have a water birth instead of delivering their baby at a hospital bed. According to Water Birth International, an estimated 10 percent of hospitals and 90 percent of birth centers are offering the water birth option. While the majority of water births are safe and offer health benefits for the mother, executing the procedure improperly could have deadly risks. In Texas, a newborn recently died due to exposure to Legionella bacteria found in the birthing pool water. Here are five crucial facts about water birth you need to know before you decide.
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1. Fill the tub with water once labor begins: In the case of the baby who passed away, the tub was filled with water two days before the baby's delivery. Although this may sound tempting in order to be extra prepared, allowing the water to sit for additional time allows for more bacteria to circulate. Instead, be sure to fill the tub about 30 centimeters from the top (to avoid over spilling) when labor begins and you're just starting to dilate. The water temperature should be between 95°F to 100.4°F.
2. Research your midwife's background: You want to make sure your midwife is experienced and has the proper certification available upon request. Ask if they're affiliated with a specific hospital and who their partnering physicians are. The American College of Nurse-Midwives provides a midwife locator and detailed information about how to pick the proper midwife.
3. The water should be pure enough to drink: The water used in the birthing pool should be filtered and the tub should be thoroughly disinfected with a non-toxic cleaner. In addition, you want to keep a cup of salt nearby to pour in the water in order to avoid your skin from wrinkling too much during the labor process.
4. Don't use essential oils: Most of these oils contain harmful parabens that could be harmful to your baby. Ask your doctor if a specific essential oil you have on hand is safe to use. You can dilute the essential oil in milk beforehand or use scented candles as a safer option.
5. Keep a sieve handy: Bodily fluids are inevitable during the birthing process, but you want to try to maintain the water as clean as possible for the baby. Make sure you have your midwife, partner or family member on hand to help keep the natural pollution out of the tub.
Image via Hobo Mama/Flickr
