Water Birth
Giving birth in a water tub eases labor. This practice is an age old
technique used from the times of ancient India. This method is getting
popular recent times not just because scientific studies proves it but also
practically pregnant women feels so.
First-time mothers are less likely to need pain relief
during labour if they use a birthing pool, according to researchers. Just
using the pool during the first stage of labour cuts the need for epidural
injections, say the Southampton University team. The finding, published on
the British Medical Journal website, could means that women could enjoy some
of the benefits of a water birth without having to deliver the baby
underwater.
Southampton
researchers compared two groups of first-time mothers experiencing slow
progress in labour. Our study shows that by putting these women in
water, we can relax them and ease the pain. The women in the first group were immersed in a birth
pool during the first stage of labour - the others were not. The study
showed that of the 49 women in the water group, roughly half needed an
epidural, compared with two-thirds of the 50 women in the other group. The
water labours were less likely to require medical intervention to aid
contractions - and the women in the pools generally reported being more
comfortable. Despite not having intervention as often, labour was no longer
in the water birth group as among those having normal labours.
Dr Elizabeth Cluett at the University's School of
Nursing and Midwifery, who led the study, said that it gave the lie to a
theory that the water-birth mothers would take longer to deliver in the
absence of drugs to induce contractions. This new research emphasises the
importance of making birth pools available in all NHS maternity units in
sufficient numbers for all women who want to use water during labor
"This new research emphasises the importance of making
birth pools available in all NHS maternity units in sufficient numbers for
all women who want to use water during labor."
"Given the cost - to the woman and the health service
- of birth interventions that can be avoided when water is used during labour, it makes sense for every unit to offer this option."
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Other Links to sites
that gives more information about water birth. http://waterbirth.org/spa/index.php
http://www.waterbirthinfo.com/
http://www.thelaboroflove.com/forum/water/
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