Is Water Birth Dangerous? 3 Things You Should Know

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Water birth refers to the process where a woman gives birth in a tub filled with warm water. Since this process is said to bring down the stress levels, warm water immersion at the time of labor and delivery has become quite popular among women (1).

There are a few maternity wards across the world that have now included the “private birth bath” facility. This is to give a choice to women who want to go through the labor and birth in a warm bath. In fact, even the hospital staff, including nurses, are being given the training to help women in such a scenario.

However, there are several skeptics who debate whether or not water birth is safe. Thus, a few restrictions have still been imposed on water birth. Here, let us try and understand some of these arguments that the skeptics put forward:

In This Article

1. There Is A Possibility That The Little One Might Drown

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Some authorities argue that the baby is at a risk for drowning in case of a water birth (2). Usually, the diving reflex protects a baby from drowning in water. Infants up to the age of six months have a natural tendency to hold their breath underwater. Simultaneously, their heart rate goes down a little to save oxygen. And, the blood flow takes place between only the vital organs such as the brain and the heart. This allows newborns to survive longer underwater as compared to adults (3). Thus, it led people to believe that a healthy newborn infant won’t breathe when submerged in water and will survive (4).

However, an unhealthy baby might end up breathing through his/her nose and mouth before reaching the surface. Thus, inhaling the water into his/her lungs. And, inhaling even a little amount of fresh water can prove to be fatal. It will quickly enter into the circulation causing an overload of fluid. Unfortunately, this might result in fresh water drowning (5).

2. Your Baby Might Inhale The Meconium

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A sterile fecal material, dark green in color, known as meconium is present in a fetus’ intestine. Right before birth, the fetus can release this substance into the amniotic fluid either naturally or as a response to stress. This can result in meconium aspiration syndrome where a newborn might find it hard to breathe because he/she has inhaled this dark-green colored substance into his/her lungs (6).

Severe meconium is not considered ideal to go ahead with water birth. This might pose a risk to the infant, who may suffer from meconium aspiration syndrome. Whereas, having a mild or a moderate meconium is comparatively normal. In this case, the healthcare professional will help you remove the ones that come to the tub’s surface. But, this substance even comes from the nose and the mouth of the infant. The soon-to-be mother can raise her pelvis outside the water for delivery if she finds the water to be too stained with this substance (7).

3. Infection Scare For The Baby

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Skeptics have expressed their concern over contamination resulting from a birthing tub system, which includes the tub as well as its accessories. The fear is that it might get contaminated with bacteria and cause infection in the baby. It has been reported that virulent bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are present in the water pumps, heating system, the hose used to fill water, and the tub water itself. This can prove to be a hazard for babies who are delivered by water birth (8).

A microbiological surveillance to inspect the birthing water tub could be regularly done to control infections. Also, to do further research on how potent the threat of infection is, scientists plan to collect culture from the tub post a water birth (9).

The method of childbirth that you go for is entirely your choice. However, brush up your facts to make sure that you are fully prepared for it. Good luck!

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