
To my non-surprise the technology advancement has gone to an extent to ease would-be mothers and bless to be born-kids by allowing them practice hi-tech ways to deliver hi-tech babies.
Yes, the concept known as waterbabies might be new in India but British nationals are the first-one to exercise it as Charlotte Walter has delivered her third child in water in April at Phoenix hospital in India.
The hospital or I should say Dr Urvashi Sehgal came a god before Charlotte, who was in hunt for hospitals offering water-birth. Having experience the silent but sweet pain of delivery as she had given birth to her two elder children in water only, she doesn’t want to see any other alternative.
Having done her MBBS at the Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Dr Sehgal, 50, was the only girl in a class of 60. I think it is this courage only that has empowered her to switch her way of bringing babies into the world via a journey with water
Having delivered two Caesareans, Dr Sehgal has being through the pain and always wanted to calm-down the pain of the birthing process.
Issues involved in Charlotte’s delivery.
The foremost question was water itself. Aware of the fact that the delicacy of the exercise cannot be met through rough tap water, we managed to get 600 litres of mineral water, which was then heated to 37ºC. Also, a birthing pool and a waterproof foetal heart monitor were imported.
The therapeutic water-properties are the reason enough to risk the process for a safe delivery. The heat and resilience of water calms the muscular strain and augments relaxation during, contractions. Relaxation assures reduction of stress hormones, releasing oxytocin, thereby allowing uterus to contract efficiently. The very captivation in water ensures fast dilation of the cervix, implying shorter labour, required relaxation and a blessed passage for the baby to see the beautiful world. Charlotte’s baby saw the beautiful world on 28 April and mind you without even a single stitch.
The strategy works during the non-dilation of the cervix viz. baby’s head is not on the right side or even when baby’s heart-rate dips, the only solution for which was Caesareans but till yesterday only.