Childbirth is one of the phases in life that must be carefully prepared for a woman when she wants to assume the status of a mother. Ideally, prospective parents or expectant mothers who have entered the third trimester of pregnancy should think about and prepare for the birth process for their future baby.
This is important because the birth process requires careful preparation, both physically and mentally from the mother to the health condition of the baby in the womb. Currently there are many birth methods that can be chosen by mothers with various advantages offered. One that is becoming a trend is the water birth method or the method of giving birth in water.
This method is becoming a trend because it is claimed to be able to reduce the pain felt by a mother during childbirth, something that is quite horror and frightening for mothers.
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But not a few also doubt the safety of this method for mothers and babies who are born. So is this method safe to do? What are the advantages of the water birth method and are there any risks or requirements that must be met by mothers to do this method? Let's get to know more about the water birth method in the following review!
Definition of Water Birth
As the name suggests, water birth is a birth method that is carried out in water and is an alternative to commonly known birth methods, such as the normal or vaginal method and caesarean section. In the process of giving birth with this water birth technique, the mother who is about to give birth will be in a tub or small pool filled with warm water.
The warm water used in the pool must also reach a temperature of around 36 to 37 degrees Celsius. This temperature is very important to prevent the baby from experiencing hypothermia and prevent the baby from feeling the extreme temperature difference between the mother's stomach and the outside world.
This concept is actually intended to facilitate the transition of the fetus while in the womb to live in amniotic fluid. With water birth, the baby will come to the outside world with the help of water too.
This is claimed to help the baby to more easily adapt to the outside world when he is born, If in the delivery method the mother is usually asked to lie down, then the mother who is undergoing the process of giving birth with a water birth will be asked to be in a sitting, lying down position, or any position that makes her feel comfortable to push.
The thing that distinguishes the water birth method from giving birth in a hospital is the process that is carried out naturally. In this technique, the mother who is about to give birth will not be given any assistance, such as drugs or anesthesia and anesthesia.
The advantages and disadvantages of the Water Birth Method
Currently, many mothers choose the water birth method because it is considered to have many advantages compared to conventional delivery methods. But not a few are also worried about the safety of the baby if the birth is done by this method.
According to a research journal entitled Guideline for a Safe Water Birth by Barbara Harper quoted from the Dr. Sardjito General Hospital website, childbirth using the water birth technique has several advantages and disadvantages.
Some of the advantages of the water birth technique are as follows:
1. Reduces Pain Pain during labor is something women often worry about.
This is what is claimed will not be felt by women when undergoing the water birth method of delivery. Doing childbirth in water can reduce aches and pains. The reason is, the water used is warm water which will give the same relaxing sensation as when we soak in warm water. The feeling of relaxation when soaking in warm water will also make it easier for the mother to be able to regulate her breathing more regularly so as to relieve pain during contractions. Warm water also functions to make the muscles feel more relaxed and easier to push.
2. Shorten Labor Time
If labor is usually done lying down, then in the water birth method, the mother who is about to give birth is placed in a sitting or squatting position. This is considered to make the mother have more strength to carry out the process of pushing and pushing the baby out so that the delivery time can be shorter. But behind these advantages, this method also still has drawbacks due to several risks that can occur.
Some of the disadvantages of this delivery technique are as follows:
1. Risk of Drowning Babies
The risk of a baby drowning may be one of the things that mothers worry about most when they want to choose the water birth method. When the baby comes out, the baby's risk of drowning is still there. This can take the baby too long in water makes his lungs fill with water. If this happens, the baby could be at risk of experiencing a lack of oxygen.
2. Occurrence of infection
When straining during labor, it is common for mothers to pass stool through the anus. In a normal delivery, this kind of thing is not a problem because the midwife or doctor can clean it up right away. However, if the mother gives birth using the water birth technique, the stool that comes out when pushing can mix with the water in the pool. Feces mixed with pool water is what is feared could contaminate pool water and will be swallowed when the baby comes out. If this happens, it is not impossible that the baby will experience an infection.
3. Babies Affect Meconium
Aspiration Syndrome Meconium aspiration syndrome is a breathing problem that occurs when the baby has had a bowel movement before leaving the mother's womb. The baby's feces will then mix with the amniotic fluid which will eventually be sucked in by the baby. In a normal delivery, the midwife or doctor can quickly find out this condition and take action to suck out the liquid that has been swallowed by the baby.
However, when the mother gives birth using the water birth method and is in water, it will be quite difficult to know if this condition occurs in the baby.
Conditions for giving birth with the Water Birth Technique
Considering that the water birth technique has its own advantages and disadvantages, experts suggest that this method of delivery is only carried out by pregnant women who meet certain requirements. Dr.Mira Iskandar from site Alodokter.com revealed that the water birth method should not be performed by pregnant women who experience the following conditions:
• Pregnant women who have pre-eclampsia or diabetes
• Pregnant women who have an infection
• Pregnant women who are less than 17 years old or more than 35 years old
• The condition of the baby in a breech womb
• The condition of the baby will be born prematurely
• Giving birth to twins
Tips for Safe and Comfortable Childbirth with the Water Birth Technique
Even though there are still some risks, those of you who meet the requirements to give birth using the water birth method can still do it safely and comfortably. For those of you who want to choose this method of water birth, you can follow the following tips so that water birth can take place safely, comfortably, and smoothly.
1. Consult a doctor in advance
Not only for those of you who choose the water birth method, every pregnant woman who is about to go into labor is advised to consult a doctor about which method they will use. This consultation should also be done in advance so that you can carefully prepare everything that needs to be prepared, both physically, materially and mentally. Consultation with a doctor regarding this method of delivery is very important because doctors know better the appropriate method of delivery by considering the condition of the mother and the fetus she is carrying.
2. Choose Experienced Professionals
Water birth requires special techniques that cannot be done by just anyone. In fact, not all obstetricians or midwives have the ability to assist in childbirth with this method. If you have decided to give birth using the water birth method, make sure you choose experienced and certified professionals to carry out the water birth method. Find out in advance about their profile and make sure the professional you choose is truly an expert in the field of water birth.
3. Determining Place for Childbirth
After determining the professional staff who will help with the delivery process, then you also have to choose the right place and you feel it is suitable for the delivery. If you choose to give birth in a hospital, then you should find out from the start which hospitals have facilities for this delivery method.
But if you want to give birth at home to feel more comfortable, of course you have to prepare an adequate room for a tub or pool of water that will be a means of delivery. Also make sure that when the time comes you and your family can get a clean, warm water source ranging from 35 to 38 degrees Celsius.
4. Learn About the Water Birth Method
Apart from preparing mentally for childbirth, you should also start studying the delivery method you will choose, especially for those of you who choose this water birth method. Start finding out and learning about the water birth method and what you should do when labor comes later. You can also start doing a birth simulation so that later you feel used to it and understand what you have to do.
5. Do it Calmly and Follow the Directions of the Labor Companion
When labor time finally comes, you should try to stay calm. Calm and relaxed, you can focus more on doing the techniques you've learned before. Follow the directions of your health companion and have confidence in your and your baby's safety so that delivery with the water birth method can run smoothly, safely, and comfortably.
That's an explanation about water birth, the method of giving birth in water which is becoming a trend and can be an alternative choice for those of you who are preparing for the birth of a baby.
In conclusion,
this method has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you want to choose this delivery method, make sure you and your baby meet health requirements and are always accompanied by professionals.
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