{"id":114750,"date":"2024-10-28T12:02:21","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T02:02:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hypnobirthingaustralia.com.au\/?p=114750"},"modified":"2024-10-29T11:51:44","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T01:51:44","slug":"the-use-of-water-during-labour-and-birth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hypnobirthingaustralia.com.au\/the-use-of-water-during-labour-and-birth\/","title":{"rendered":"\u200b\u200bUsing water for labour and birth"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u200b\"\u200b\u200bUsing<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Using water as a comfort measure during birth is something I would encourage all women to consider including in their Birth Preferences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Water is a safe and effective form of pain relief for healthy, low risk women \u2013 let\u2019s explore all of the reasons why.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mind-Body Connection<\/b><\/h6>\n

In Hypnobirthing we talk a lot about the mind-body connection. We know that our emotions can manifest physical sensations in our bodies, the reverse occurs too. Physical sensations can evoke corresponding emotions!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When you think of warmth \u2013 what do you think of? We think of feeling <\/span>COMFORTED,<\/b> REASSURED, SAFE<\/b> and <\/span>RELAXED.<\/b> These are basic and crucial needs of all labouring women.<\/span><\/p>\n

The warmth delivered through water relieves tension, helping you to relax and completely rest in between surges. In turn, this helps to conserve your energy which allows the birthing muscles to do their thing. This keeps your Parasympathetic Nervous system engaged so that your amazing birth hormones can be as efficient as possible!<\/span><\/p>\n

Warm water has the added benefit of softening the vaginal and perineal tissues making it easier for this area to stretch and accommodate your baby\u2019s body as he\/she is born \u2013 likely reducing perineal damage and tears.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Using a Shower\u00a0<\/b><\/h6>\n

I\u2019m sure I\u2019m not the only one who loves a long hot shower after a hard day. Showers can be a great tool to use for pain relief in labour. The pressure of the water and the heat over your body feels amazing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many hospital shower heads are detachable, which makes it easy for your birth partner to aim the water wherever it feels best for you (some women like it for their lower back, some also like the water on their belly).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tip \u2013 take some towels into the shower so you can kneel comfortably and if your shower is big enough you could take in your fit ball to either sit on or use to lean into whilst on all fours (a great labouring position!)<\/span><\/p>\n

Having a Bath<\/b><\/h6>\n

Immersion in warm water can provide much more than just pain relief. The birthing pool or bath provides a barrier between you and your surroundings and is like having your own private space. Being able to move freely and easily as your body instinctively wants to, is so beneficial.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When we are warm, and our muscles are relaxed, our range of motion is increased. This makes it much easier to get into good birthing positions like squatting and kneeling. The added bonus of being weightless makes it much easier to maintain and change positions during labour. Birthing pools will also often have an inflatable cushioned base and sides making it much gentler on your joints when kneeling\/squatting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Water provides support and buoyancy (and what pregnant woman doesn\u2019t want to feel a little more weightless?!) and can also help to keep any stress hormones at bay. This increases the body\u2019s production of our own natural pain relievers \u2013 our amazing Endorphins (which totally deserve their own blog post!).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Benefits for your Birth<\/b><\/h6>\n

Now you know why and how warm water is beneficial for labour and birth, it\u2019s easy to understand why there is growing evidence reporting the following potential benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n