THE BEGINNING OF LIFE UNDER THE WATER: THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF

MOTHERS WHO UNDERWENT WATER BIRTH DELIVERY

Norbert Lewin Soliven, MAN, LPT, RN

Our Lady of Fatima University – Antipolo City Campus

INTRODUCTION:
Water birth delivery is a natural method of delivery wherein the mother was
immersed in a birthing pool which contains warm water. Warm water is said to have an
effect to alleviate pain, relax severe contractions and provide less discomforts. The
increasing popularity of this method of delivery provides the researcher an idea to look
deeper into the experiences of mother who chose this type of delivery. In consonance
with the nurse’s role of ensuring maternal and child health, this study will help in the
elevation of standard in this method of delivery.
OBJECTIVE:
This study aims to understand the lived experiences of mothers who underwent
water birth delivery and set a ground for the development of a more client-centered
approach.
METHODS:
The researcher utilized a descriptive phenomenological design in the conduct of
the study and selected participants using purposive sampling technique. The researcher
conducted the study in a 5-bed capacity birthing home that conducts water birth delivery
located in the Eastern part of Manila. The researcher used Collaizi’s method in the
analysis of data.
RESULTS:
The study revealed themes that are correlated with each other, which are as
follows: 1) A Vision of Tomorrow, that encompasses their preparation for the childbirth
by researching about water birth and what comes after the delivery, 2) Wind Beneath
my Wings, tackles about the support from family that the mothers are receiving before
and during childbirth, 3) Mind over Matter, involves the techniques mothers acquire in
classes to manage labor pains, 4) Race against Time, where they imparts the
experience of a faster labor process after they submerged in warm water, and 5) Risen
from the Sea, tackles about their experience on faster recovery after water birth.
Presenting all the information that the researchers gathered from this study, each theme
revealed the different facets of this birthing method.
DISCUSSION:
The study revealed that having long preparations in this type of delivery through
attending different seminars and birthing classes help the mothers to cope with anxiety
and pain during their delivery. Also, with the support of significant relatives of the mother
during her labor process is one of the things that can contribute the most to alleviate
intense fear and pain.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The findings of this study may serve as a guide and may provide additional
knowledge in this type of delivery. Furthermore, revisions of policies and protocols in
hospital’s delivery rooms and obstetrics-gynecology wards in consonance with the
positive results experienced by mothers who subjected themselves in water birth
deliveries may also be considered by administrators and health care personnel. Addition
of this method of delivery in maternal and child health nursing subjects in the nursing
curriculum may be considered.

Keywords: Water Birth Delivery, Descriptive Phenomenology, Pregnancy and Delivery