HEALTH
Under The Sea,
Darling It’s
Better
Sebastian, the talking crab
from The Little Mermaid
sang this little ditty about
how life underwater was
better than on land. And
he might just be right!
We talk to gynaecologists
about the advantages and
disadvantages of giving birth
in water, also known as
hydro-birthing.
By Neu Weetee
Giving birth is often associated with the proud joys of
attaining parenthood. Sometimes, however, the fear of
pain and complications may get in the way. Water birth,
which refers to childbirth that occurs in water, is said to
provide a less painful and stressful experience with a key
benefit of reducing the need of epidurals.
Benefits
The several benefits that mothers
receive from hydro-birthing
revolve around the change in
environment water brings about.
1
Relaxation
According to Associate
Professor Chong Yap
Seng, senior consultant of NUH
Women’s Centre, the warm
water helps mothers cope with
the discomfort of labour. The
water also provides buoyancy
so that mothers are not stuck in
one position during childbirth.
They can float around and adopt
positions that are comfortable for
them in the tub.
Warm water also relaxes the
pelvic floor muscles, leading to
lesser resistance from the birth
canal during delivery and helping
to facilitate labour during the
second stage of delivery.
Water births also reduce the
risk of the perineum, the area
between the vagina and the anus,
tearing during labour.
2
What can you expect from a
water birth?
There are various pre-requisites
to fulfil and preparations to be
made before you can attempt a
water birth. “It is not just simply
going into a bathtub filled with
water and giving birth. There
must be adequate preparation.
It’s a personal choice that’s totally
dependent on the individual and
their expectations of childbirth,”
Professor Chong says.
Unsuitable candidates
Mothers who:
• Have pregnancy-related
complications such as
preeclampsia or toxaemia
• Have health problems such as
high blood pressure, hepatitis B
or viral infections
• Are carrying twins or other
multiples
• Are giving birth to a baby in the
breech position (baby’s bottom or
feet ready to come out first)
Dr Tseng also emphasises that the
amount of pain mothers can tolerate is
20
Family & Life • Dec 2013/Jan 2014
a key consideration, as drugs are
normally not administered
during water births.
Drug- and trauma-free
Dr. Paul Tseng of Thomson
Medical Centre explains
that a water birth is usually drugfree since hydrotherapy relieves
pain. The benefits for the baby are
less clear, but some feel that it
is a smoother and less traumatic
transition from the mother’s
Possible Risks
womb into the world for the
Critics of water births say that the benefits
infant due to the liquid
are not supported with concrete evidence and that
environment.
th ere are risks involved.
“Medical literature reveals several reports of concerns
A mother who
associated with water birth, including inhalation of the
wants to attempt a
contaminated water by the baby, risk of infection and temperature
water birth will go
regulation issues,” Professor Tan Kok Hian, Chairman of the Division
through a thorough
of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at KK Women’s and
education about
Children’s Hospital, says.
the procedures
and the risks
However, Dr. Tseng maintains that these disadvantages and risks are
involved as well
possible only in the theoretical sense. “By not using a spa, bacteria
as the necessary
collating in the recycled water is prevented. In all my years of
preparations she
conducting water births since 1995, I haven’t had any infections
needs to undertake,
and complications.”
which includes
engaging the services of
A common concern is over the risk of infant drowning.
a one-to-one midwife or
However, Dr. Tseng asserts that he has never
doula, attending antenatal
heard of a properly conducted water birth
classes, and discussing the
locally that resulted in
procedure with her obstetrician.
an infant drowning.
What happens if something goes
wrong during a water birth?
Don’t panic! The doctors are trained
and know what to do in the event
anything significantly life-altering
occurs. Mothers must also realise the
obstacles and signs that might emerge,
which will render them unable to go
on with their water birth. If the baby
shows signs of distress, the water
birth will be called off and a vaginal
delivery in bed or a Caesarean
section will be performed.