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Birth in Water

Using warm water (in various forms) during labour had been around a long time and has a proven record in enabling women to manage labour pain effectively and safely. Water birth has also long been a reality, since Michel Odent first tried this technique in the early 1980's in France. Most home births these days involve water, either for easing pain or the birth itself, and many hospitals have also adopted the idea, installing baths or pools for women to use during labour if they want.

Some hospitals, however, have been reluctant to provide water options, fearing that water birth requires special training of staff and presents special risks for care givers (bad backs, infection). The reality is that water births are very easy for staff - they need to do very little during the labour and birth, apart from regularly checking the baby’s heartbeat. It is the woman who does the work and gives birth unaided, into the water. The caregiver then helps her to lift the baby to the surface.

A beautiful new DVD, “Birth In Water”, shows how this can be achieved in a big public hospital. Dr Andrew Davidson has long seen the potential for warm water immersion during labour and birth under water and has actively encouraged its use st John Flynn Hospital in Queensland. Now he has made a video explaining the techniques and offering practical suggestions about implementing this approach, based on the experience of his team. There are several water births shown (not all at his hospital) and the women and midwives share their experiences as well. The story told by one midwife of her first water birth is amazing and amusing, and shows what can be done if one is prepared to watch and wait and let nature take its course.

This video adds to the growing number of films on this theme. This one, intended primarily for parents, will also be valuable for professionals who want to know more about this gentle option for birth can be implemented in their own hospitals.

Posted by andrea at May 07, 2006 09:38 AM