Research-backed
Kalki is one Bollywood star who we are perennially in awe of. As if her awesome acting chops weren’t enough to blow our minds, she’s completely slaying it in her pregnant avatar as well. Kalki has always been known for her unconventional choices, be it her choice of movie roles, personal equation with the people in her life, or her approach to pregnancy. Recently, the actress shared that she was planning to go ahead with water birth when the D-day approaches. By saying so, she stirred up a renewed interest in this process of birthing. If you are currently pregnant and wish to know more about water births, then read on to get the deets here:
What Is Water Birth?
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Water birth is a process where a pregnant woman chooses to give birth in a big tub filled with warm water. Some women choose to stay in the tub only during labor and later step out for delivery. Whereas others might choose to remain in the tub for the entirety of the labor and eventually go ahead with delivering the baby inside the tub. The main idea behind water birth is to emulate the liquid environment of the womb. Since the baby floats in the amniotic fluid in the womb for a long time, giving them birth in water might be gentle on the baby. It would also cause less stress to the mother as she can be comparatively more relaxed in warm water than on a hospital bed. This does not mean, however, that you can give birth in your regular bathroom tub filled with warm water. For a water birth at home, it should be strictly done under the supervision of a healthcare provider who is well-qualified for the job!
Of late, a growing number of medical personnel in obstetrics, midwives, and nursing professionals believe that fetal complications at birth can be reduced by lessening the amount of maternal labor stress (1). This is probably where water births come into the picture.
Benefits Of A Water Birth
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Here is a list of benefits of water birth over conventional methods of birthing:
- It can be more relaxing since warm water tends to have a soothing effect
- An increase in the woman’s energy has been observed in the later stages of labor
- Due to the effect of buoyancy in water, it reduces the woman’s body weight thereby allowing easy change of positions and movements
- Buoyancy improves blood circulation and also promotes efficient uterine contractions
- The improved blood circulation during a water birth results in a better supply of oxygen to the uterine muscles and, in turn, more oxygen to the baby
- Immersion in water can reduce the chances of anxiety-induced high blood pressure
- Water births are believed to reduce the release of stress hormones thereby allowing the woman’s body to produce more endorphins that are pain inhibitors. Thus, it may cause less pain to the mother during childbirth
- Water can cause the perineum to become more relaxed and elastic, thus reducing the chances of tearing or the need for an episiotomy or stitches
- Labor pains are probably the worst fear for a pregnant woman. But being in warm water helps her relax during labor. This way, she can focus better on her ability and strength to give birth (2)
Potential Risks Of A Water Birth
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Despite water births becoming increasingly popular in the last few years, very little research has been done on it. According to an article published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, there could be a risk, in theory, of water embolism. But studies for further evidence still need to be done (3).
Another potential risk during water delivery could be dehydration. But again, this is also dependent on the temperature of the water. If the water is too hot, it can lead to dehydration. To avoid this, make sure you keep yourself well hydrated and the temperature of the water is steady at 97 degrees Fahrenheit. The birthing pools are also specifically designed to address this issue (4).
We hope that now you know what a water birth might be like. For more details, reach out to your doctor. In the meantime, let us wish the very best to Kalki for her upcoming due date!
