Will the baby choke on water during a water birth? Will the baby not drown during a water birth?

Water birth is a way of childbirth that mothers can choose to reduce the pain of childbirth. So, will the baby choke on water during water birth? Will the baby not drown during water birth? Let's take a look at the explanation below and you will understand everything~

Nowadays, everything is scientific and advanced, even the way of childbirth. I have seen water birth on TV and in newspapers, but the hospitals around me have not yet promoted this way of childbirth. Will the baby choke on water during water birth? What are the main advantages of water birth? Let's learn about it together.

Will the baby choke on water during a water birth?

Before the umbilical cord is cut, the newborn relies on the blood from the mother through the placenta and umbilical cord to supply oxygen. When the baby goes from the amniotic fluid in the uterus to the water of delivery, the baby is required to be completely immersed in the water. Since the temperature is similar before and after, it will not stimulate the lungs to breathe, so the baby will not choke on the water. During delivery, the midwife usually waits for the fetus to come out, washes it in the water and fiddles with it before taking the water. This operation will not take more than one minute. When the baby is transferred to the water, he will be stimulated by the cold air and the umbilical cord is cut, and then he will open his mouth and use his lungs to breathe the first breath of his life.

Foreign studies have found that the incidence of maternal and infant infection in water birth is not higher than that in delivery beds, and the rate of newborns carrying bacteria has dropped significantly, especially the chance of infection with group B streptococcus, because water can wash away bacteria on the baby. A special tank is used for water birth, and the water is flowing purified water, which has no bacteria. Before delivery, the doctor uses a suppository to drain the mother's stool. Even if a little stool comes out during delivery, it will be quickly drained away with the water flow. At that time, some experts were worried that the plastic sheet at the bottom of the tank would easily spread germs, but this plastic sheet does not exist in current operations. After delivery, it was found that the bacteria in the water were all normal flora carried by the pregnant woman herself, which are generally beneficial to humans and can fight against pathogenic bacteria without causing infection.

Advantages and disadvantages of water birth

advantage

1. Minimize the pain of laboring mothers.

2. Water birth can shorten the delivery process.

3. Water birth can lower maternal blood pressure.

4. Birth in water allows mothers to feel better.

5. The fluidity of the water allows mothers to choose the most comfortable position for delivery.

6. Water birth makes it easier for nervous mothers to relax.

7. Provide the mother with an active support and protection space to save her physical energy.

8. It can reduce the use of drugs and other interventional treatments.

9. Water birth can reduce vulvar trauma and avoid episiotomy.

10. Water birth can reduce the chance of caesarean section.

shortcoming

1. Easy to be infected.

2. It is expensive.

3. It is difficult to monitor the fetal heartbeat.

4. There are technical risks; improper selection of drug dosage and concentration may have adverse effects on the delivery process and mother and baby.

Women who choose water birth must meet three conditions

First of all, the mother should not have complications such as premature rupture of membranes or pregnancy complicated by hypertension, should not have chronic diseases such as heart disease and hypertension, and should not have infectious diseases such as hepatitis, syphilis, and AIDS.

Secondly, the mother’s age should be under 35 years old. Older mothers have a harder pelvis and poor expansion, so water birth is not suitable.

Furthermore, the prior examination should not reveal any unhealthy fetus, malposition of the fetus, or severe umbilical cord around the neck. The fetus should not be too large, preferably around 3,000 to 3,500 grams. If the examination finds that the fetus is abnormal or the fetus is malpositioned, water birth is not allowed. During water birth, if there are abnormal fetal heartbeats or abnormal amniotic fluid, the mother should leave the water birth pool immediately and the doctor will provide symptomatic treatment.

People who are not suitable for water birth

1. Women who are ill or have a history of miscarriage should adopt a more cautious delivery method, because illness often triggers complications and causes unnecessary damage.

2. Pregnant women with huge fetuses (over 7 pounds), premature babies, or those whose amniotic fluid has been broken for more than 24 hours are not suitable for water birth.