If you've been planning a water birth, and you're birthing at home, you'll need to take some extra steps to avoid complications. This is particularly true if you've decided to use a birthing pool instead of your home bathtub. While bathtubs are fine, they don't provide you with the space you need for a truly comfortable water birth experience. Here are three things to consider when planning for your water birth.
1. Try a Practice Run First
If you're planning a water birth at home, you'll need to try a practice run first. There are a few variables that only a practice run can account for. When conducting your practice run, choose the same location you'll be using for the actual birth. That way, you know how your birthing pool is going to fit, and how everyone will move around during labor.
Next, you'll want to experiment with the water levels. The last thing you want to do is fill your pool up and then end up with a flood while you're in labor. To avoid that, you'll want to mark your fill lines in advance. Fill the pool part way and then climb in. If you're going to have a partner in the pool with you, have them climb in with you. Once you're both inside, mark the water level using a permanent marker.
Be sure to place the mark on the outside of the birthing pool. Now, fill the pool the rest of the way, and place a second mark. This will ensure that you have the proper water level when labor begins.
2. Keep the Water Pure
If you're going to be using a birthing pool, you'll want to make sure that the water remains pure for the baby. That doesn't mean you need to keep the water crystal clean during labor. However, it does mean that you should avoid adding things like essential oils or other additives that could harm the baby. If you want to labor in essential oils, soak in your bathtub and then transfer to your birthing pool once the final stages of labor begin.
3. Have a Pool Skimmer on Hand
If you're going to deliver your baby in a birthing pool, you'll need to have a pool skimmer on hand. During labor, you may have an accidental bowel movement, or you may vomit. You don't want to have those things floating around in the water while you're laboring. A pool skimmer will make it easier for your birth attendants to remove feces and vomit from the water for you. If this is going to be a first baby for you and your partner, be sure to let them know that what the pool skimmer is for, especially if they'll be in the water with you.
For more information, contact a company like Wasatch Midwifery and Wellness.
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