I've used water in my three labours and birthed two babies into water(at home). During my ante natal time I discussed "catching" the baby a number of times with my midwife. When birthing with love and trust as with my 2nd baby(first homebirth), it came naturual to put my hands down and feel my baby's head as it came out and touching the bub's hair floating in the water. When the head was out and I was waiting for the last contraction to birth the baby, I was thinking of the responsibility I had in being in control of finishing the birth. I was scared, but so excited that only I was going to know when the baby would come out, no coaching to push. The water is really useful in supporting the weight of the baby as it comes out, giving the mum time to put her hands around the babies body and bring it up to her. I think water birth gives mum the chance to see the baby at the same time as everybody else, unless someone is in the pool with goggles on. I don't think the education needs to be much more than a relaxed discussion, letting mum know it's there for her to do if she wants to and perhaps a supportive reminder at the time of the birth.
Whilst on water birth, I am the consumer voice at SA's water birth study day on Fri 28th Feb. Does anyone have any thoughts on what they see as being important in sharing about using water during birth? I can be e-mailed on [EMAIL PROTECTED] if people want to comment. Thanks Megan. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Ruth Cantrill Sent: Sunday, 9 February 2003 9:24 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Birth through water > A new midwife to our unit from England said our baths would not be suitable > because of back care for the midwife! My response was that from what I've read > the baby is birthed by the mum, hands off by the midwife, so why should there > be a problem!! how many women are willing to touch their baby during the process of birth and immediately at the moment of birthing??? i can see that with much pre education this may be possible. However if it is to happen the way you idealistically suggest then perhaps one criteria for in water birthing will need to be that women are fully educated willing and cooperative in handling her baby at the moment of birth. we do have to be careful in the asumptions we make about how women may feel and be able to respond at the various stages of birthing. Ruth ------------------------------------- Ruth Cantrill Griffith University NATHAN QLD 4111 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
