Water birthing is the most natural transition for the baby, as it is ensconced in amniotic fluid within the womb. Dating back 200 years in France, today it is a safe birthing option at ELANTIS, where the mother rests in warm water during labour and delivery, under the supervision of a qualified expert and nursing team.
Warm water relaxes and soothes tense nerves and muscles, calming anxiety, as a natural pain reliever by lowering your blood pressure levels, and helping the body release endorphins to reduce the severity of pain. Water buoyancy also gives the mother a sense of control on the body, allowing more flexibility to move freely. Finally warm water helps stretch the perineal region, reducing the risk of injury. The milder effects of gravity underwater allows the baby to move towards the birth canal, reducing the duration of labour. Even with a cesarean section, water immersion during labour can provide these benefits.
Like other birthing options, medical factors are the deciding points for whether or not you are eligible to give birth in water.
You can opt for water birthing if you have:
You may not be a candidate if you have:
If you have any of the above complications, you will be advised not to choose water birthing.
Water birth is a safe birthing option if and when performed with the guidance of verified medical experts at a natural water birthing centre. However, despite its advantages, there are also substantial water birth risks associated with the process:
Warm water gives a familiar environment of amniotic fluid to the newborn. In theory, the child takes his first breath after he comes out of the water and in the air. However, if the baby breathes when he is submerged, he may be exposed to various complications including the risk of drowning.This is highly unlikely to happen, because babies do not breathe when they are in the womb. They receive oxygen from their mother through the placenta. During water birthing, their bodies behave similarly in the warm water and only breathe when they are out in the air. In this process, the newborn comes from water (amniotic fluid in the womb) to water and so his lungs are not open yet.
Minimal risk of the child contracting Legionnaires’ Disease which is a type of bacterial pneumonia.
While both methods are effective, safe and reliable techniques for childbirth, water birth has more advantages than normal delivery. As discussed above, the amount and duration of labour pain that a mother has to experience can be significantly reduced through water birthing. While on the other hand, normal delivery makes you dependent on medicinal pain relievers. Hence, water birthing is a more natural form of delivery. However, it should be noted that both of these birthing processes have their own pros and cons. Clinical requirements and the mother’s gestational health is the final indicator of the type of method used.
Yes, it is possible to have a healthy water birth after C section. Vaginal birth after Caesarean (VBAC) is safe, reduces the risk of complications and has a lesser recovery time. The requirements will almost be the same as regular water birthing. You should always consult an experienced water birthing expert and choose a natural water birthing centre. If you have had a C-section in your previous pregnancy, you should discuss this with your obstetrician while planning future childbirth options.
Water birthing is not just for celebrities, you can access all its benefits at Elantis, right in the heart of Delhi NCR. For more information, book an appointment with Dr. Chandni Jain, leading expert on water birthing at Elantis.
NO, you cannot have an epidural (anaesthesia injection) in water.
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