Waterbirth
Waterbirth developed in Moscow in the early 1960's, began to be
used in Dr. Odent's hospital maternity ward in the 1970's, and
now is used in birth centres and home births in North America.
Water assists relaxation. Water minimizes labour pain so much that other pain control methods are usually not needed. Water helps the body stretch gently in the birth process. It softens the perineum, lessening the chances of requiring stitches for a tear or episiotomy. Because it is so effective, water labour is thought of as a cesarean prevention method.
Babies born in water normally do not breathe until they are out in the cooler air, and their oxygen supply continues through the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord can be cut after the baby makes a gradual transition to using its lungs. Because of the gentleness of water birth and because the mother usually does not take pain medication, babies tend to be more alert.
The World Wide Waterbirth Conference (1995) declared that waterbirth does NOT increase risk of infection (in a clean tub), and especially in a tub at home (which would have your own germs).
Condensed from an article (The Source magazine) by Joanne Gordon,
a childbirth assistant based in Red Deer, AB. She has attended
over 125 births.