| Is
it common to use water for labour and birth?
It is quite common in some places in the UK for women to get
into a shower, bath or special birthing pool to help cope
with labour and in these locations midwives are experienced
and skilled in supporting this.
If you are having a home birth, you can get
into the pool whenever you want. Early first stage contractions
are usually not very intense, but they can last for many hours
and be accompanied by backache. So you might find the pool
helps you relax and save energy during this early phase, and
also soothes your back. If your contractions seem to become
less strong, you could get out of the pool for a while until
they intensify again, and then get back in when you want some
help with the pain.
The best positions while you are in the pool
The warm water will help you relax most if
you can find the most comfortable position for you in the
pool.
Some ideas for different positions are:
• Squatting, holding onto the sides
of the pool
• On your knees, leaning forward onto
the side of the pool, or with your arms round your partner's
neck
• Resting on your side with your head
on a waterproof pillow on the side of the pool
• Floating on your back with your hands
grasping the sides of the pool and your head supported on
a waterproof pillow
• Floating on your tummy with your head
turned sideways, supported on a pillow
• If your birth companion is in the
pool, sitting, with your back against him or her
Dim lighting can increase the relaxing effect
of the water. With the lights turned off, or dimmed, you can
retreat into your own world and focus on your labour and the
imminent birth of your baby. Low lights minimise distractions,
enabling you to listen to your body, change position in response
to contractions, and concentrate on breathing slowly and steadily.
It may also be more soothing for your baby once he's born.
How
does a birthing pool gives pain relief?
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