water birth delivery

1. Water birth delivery

2. INTRODUCATION
 What is birth?
The act or process of giving birth to a baby by a mother
.
WATER BIRTH
Water birth is a process in which during immersion
in labor, a person gets into a tub or pool of warm water
during the first stage of labor, before the baby is born.
In a water birth , a person remains in the water during
the pushing phase and actual birth of the baby. Than
the baby is brought to the surface of the water after the
baby is born. A water birth may be followed by the

3. CONTINUE…….
A water birth also allows a mother to manoeuvre her
body during the labour process, with the water
offsetting the pressure experienced during child birth.
The hydrostatic pressure of water relieves the
discomforts of contractions and relax the body, Which
in turns stimulates the release of endorphins - The
body natural pain killers.

4. DEFINITION
 A form of child birth in which the mother is supported in a
birthing pool so that the child is delivered into the water water.
or
 Water birth is a process of giving birth in a tub of warm
water. Many women find that sitting or floating in
water during labor helps them to relax and manage
pain.

5. HISTORY
 Water birth was first reported in 1805 in
France, and became more popular in the 1980s
and 1990s.
During the 1980s and 1990s interest in water
birth grew in the UK, Europe and Canada. More
water birth champions emerged in the form of
obstetrician Michael Rosenthal, registered nurse
and child birth educator “Barbara Harper” in the
US, plus midwifes and educator “Dianne
Garland” in the UK.

6. Continue…..
 These pioneers helped increase confidence in
birth pool practice by sharing their experiences
and promoting the use of water, and making
sure guidelines for labor and birth in water were
safe.
 A baby girl born to a British couple in Delhi on
Saturday 28 April, 2007 at 6:45 am ,is the first
baby to be born in India through this method.

7. WHO CAN HAVE A
WATER BIRTH
DELIVERY
The mother who
have low risk
pregnancy and
labour over 37
weeks.

8. Management During Stages of labour
 First stage of labour :
During the first stage of labor, the water
temperature should be comfortable for the woman
and not above than 37.5◦c. The water temperature
should be checked hourly and recorded in the
maternal records.
Maternal temperature should be checked hourly if
the women feels too hot, she should leave the pool
until she has cool down.

9. Continue…..
 Women should be encouraged to drink adequate cool
fluid while in the pool to prevent dehydration.
 The depth of the water should be at least 18″ inch depth
upto the woman's axilla. when she is in a sitting position.
This aids bouyancy and promotes movement, which aids
the progress of labour and increases maternal control.

10.  Second stage of labour :
 During the second stage of labour, the water temperature should be maintained at 37- 37.5◦c.
 The water must be deep enough for the baby to be born completely submerged under water.
 During second stage progress of the emerging head should be observed with a mirror. Slow
crowning and birth of the head should be encouraged to minimize perineal trauma.
 The hands off method of birth should be practiced. This will minimize the stimulation to the
emerging baby.
 The cord should never be clamped or cut while baby is still under the water. The women or
midwifes reach down and support the baby as it emerged.

11.  The baby should be brought to the surface, face
uppermost ,and care taken to ensure the cord is long
enough to allow this. Following the birth rest the
baby’s head above the water keeping the body in water,
skin to skin with woman . This will keep the baby
warm and promote skin to skin contact.
 Once the baby’s head has comes out of the water it
must not be submerged again.
 Clearly document, weather the baby was born under
water and the condition of birth.
Continue……

12. Third stage of labour:
During the third stage, the condition of the woman
and baby allows, there is no need to clamp the cord
until the placenta is delivered.
Umbilical cord should be cut within 3 – 5 minutes.
The mother may wish to remain in the pool for the
third stage of labor and there is no evidence to
contraindicate delivery of placenta in the water.
However the blood loss should be carefully observed.

13. Continue…….
The estimated blood loss should be recorded as less
then 500ml or greater then 500ml.
Suturing should be delayed for 1 hour due to water
saturation of the tissues unless bleeding is excessive
and prompt suturing is required.

14. Pain relief measures in pool
The calming effect of warm water in birthing pool will
almost help mothers to cope with painful contractions
and backache. If still some extra help is required,
following measures could be used:
 Entonox (gas and air): This is a mixture of
nitrousoxide ( laughing gas ) and oxygen. It can be
taken by breathing it in through a mouthpiece. It’s
only a mild pain – killer, but it should take the edge
off contraction.

15. CONTINUE….
Massage:
 It works well to ease
the pain of
contractions. Birth
partner can massage
the shoulders or
lower part of
mother’s back while
she is in the pool.
 The combination of
warm water and
massage can be
powerfully relaxing.

16. Continue…..
 Breathing :
Warm water helps to relax, and mother will probably
find that breathing becomes calmer as the settle into
the pool. The privacy of pool enables her to focus,
undisturbed on her contractions.
 Aromatherapy:
Some essential oils can be added to the water in the
pool after consulting a qualified aroma therapist to
find out the best and safest oils to use in labour.

17. Pain relief measures to be avoided in
pool
Following forms of pain relief is not suitable for use in
a pool:
 TENS :
( Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ) is
electrical and there fore not compatible with water.

18. CONTINUE…….
 Pethidine :
They may make mother very drowsy so she has to wait
at least two hours after having it or until the
drowsiness passes before she can get in the pool.
 Epidurals:
They limit mobility. They would not there fore be safe
for mother to have while immersed in water.

19. Position during water birth delivery
Squatting position
Sitting position
Kneeling position
Hand and knee

20. Benefits of warm water during water birth
delivery:
 Helps to relieve labour and delivery pain.
 To promote relaxation , boost blood supply to the uterine
muscles and increase endorphin release.
 Warm water is beneficial because it healing property.
 Warm water makes uterus to hyperactive.
 Warm water the elasticity of perineum.

21. Benefits for the mother
 A more relaxing birth experience .
 A shorter labor.
 No need for analgesia.
 Feeling more present in the birth experience.
 Higher rates of normal vaginal birth.
 Possibly lower rates of post-partum hemorrhage (PPH).
 Water causes the perineum to become elastic and relaxed
, reducing the incidence and severity of tearing
 No need for episiotomy and stitches.
 Immersion in water often helps lower high blood
pressure caused by anxiety.

22. Benefits for the baby
Provides a similar environment as the amniotic sac.
Eases the stress of birth.
Providing reassurance and security to the baby.
It is also believed that water babies are cries less and
more calm and more alert.

23. Risk of water birth delivery
Risk for mother:
Vaginal bleeding or placenta previa.
Risk of water embolism, which is when the water
enters the mother’s blood stream.
Risk for baby:
Infection
Asphyxia
Seizures
Chances of umbilical cord will be damaged or tear
Water aspiration

24. Contraindication
 High risk pregnancy
 Multiple pregnancy
 Diabetic mother
 Herpes infection
 Skin infection
 High fever
 Vaginal bleeding
 History of Shoulder dystocia
 History of caesarean
 Post partum hemorrhage in excess of 1 liter.

25. CONCLUSION
Water birth appears to be associated with a
significantly shorter first stage of labor, A lower
episiotomy rate and reduce analgesic requirements.
When compared with other delivery positions. If
woman are selected appropriately, water birth appears
to be safe for both the mother and neonate.

26. SUMMARY
We summarized our topic “ water birth delivery”
 Introduction of water birth.
 Definition of water birth delivery.
 History of water birth delivery.
 Management of stages of labour.
 Pain relief measures in pool.
 Pain relief measures to be avoided in pool.
 Position during water birth delivery.
 Benefits of warm water in water birth delivery.
 Benefits for the mother.
 Benefits for the baby.
 Risk of water birth delivery.
 Contraindication of water birth delivery.

27. BIBLOGRAPHY

28. THANKYOU