Passionate Births

First question commonly asked by most is:
“Won’t the baby drown?”
This is a good question and one that shows that you don’t want to do something that isn’t completely safe for your baby. The answer is no. The baby only starts to breathe once it receives stimulation i.e. cool air on its skin. The baby is born into warm water (body temperature) and therefore doesn’t receive any stimuli to encourage breathing.

Common question number 2 is:
“Isn’t it very dirty?”
Absolutely not, in my opinion it is a far cleaner birth that a dry or land birth. When we don’t intervene and do unnecessary procedures there is very little vaginal discharge/bleeding etc prior to the birth – the only time there is a little blood discharged is if the women happens to tear during the birth procedure (which I must add is very seldom).

Once the placenta detaches after the birth there is a gush of blood. We get the women out of the water as this happens and she can either deliver the placenta standing before she gets out of the water or in the water and then get out soon thereafter.

“Does the midwife have to be in the water too?”
Definitely not! We work from the side of the pool. Your partner may enter the water if he chooses though.

“Is it true that waterbirth babies are more intelligent?”
I don’t believe so and I personally haven’t read any documented proof of such findings.

There are many questions regarding waterbirths, many myths and unfortunately also plenty of bad information given by those caregivers who have no experience in doing waterbirths. This is why I have written this article on waterbirth in such a manner.

Good luck in the planning of your birth – I hope the below info is of value as do so!