Concerns over the Safety of Waterbirth

» kalicomom - I love waterbirth!!

I just had to comment on your article Nicole. Thanks for addressing the common concerns about waterbirth.

I've had two babies of my four in water, and can't imagine ever having a land birth again! With my first, I wanted to be in the tub for labor, but my doctor broke my water and wouldn't let me in the tub (a protocol which I now know has no scientific basis).

With my second, I had the tub ready but I wasn't sure if my labor was progressing or not (it was too easy! lol!). So my midwife suggested an hour in the water and an hour out. If I'd been thinking about what I *wanted* I would never have gotten out! But I did get out after the prescribed hour (the power of suggestion is so strong during birth!!) and before I knew it the baby was coming, so I never got back in. But boy, was it harder out of the water!!

After that experience, I told my midwife for my third birth that I knew I wanted to labor in the water and I wanted the option to stay in for the birth. Sure enough, once I got in I never wanted to get out! It was great. My labor was hard, but it was also fast. I can't imagine what it would have been like without water. I think I would have really resisted a lot, and that would have made it so difficult.

My fourth was also born in water, again very quickly. In each birth there just came a point where I knew things were getting intense and I couldn't stand to be anywhere besides the tub. Once I got in, things just sped right along.

And may I add, no tearing at all with either one!! The water softens the tissues so they strech very nicely.

If someone had thought of waterbirth a hundred years ago, we'd never have invented epidurals!!

Thanks for a great article, Nicole. Great site!!

Marci O'Daffer, CCE

-- posted by kalicomom

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