Benefits of Water Immersion During Birth

Water immersion during labor is an increasingly popular birthing option for healthy women that experience a straightforward pregnancy, labor spontaneously at full term and plan to give birth in a midwifery-led care setting. The process involves immersion in a birth pool to achieve relaxation and pain relief during the first and possibly part of the second stage of labor. The mother exits the pool for the actual birth, allowing the infant to emerge outside of the water. This method is different from a water birth, during which the woman remains in the pool as the infant emerges into the water and is then brought to the surface to initiate breathing.

In a new systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMJ Open, researchers compared the interventions and outcomes of water immersion, water birth and no-water-immersion births. After reviewing 36 studies encompassing the experiences of about 150,000 women, researchers found that water immersion significantly reduced the use of epidurals, injected opioids, episiotomy, maternal pain and postpartum hemorrhage. There was also an increase in maternal satisfaction and improved odds of an intact perineum with water immersion. Water births were associated with increased odds of the tearing of the umbilical cord from the placenta, making delivery of the placenta difficult, although the absolute risk remained low (4.3 versus 1.3 per 1,000). There were no differences in any other identified neonatal outcomes.

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Men’s Wellness Series

Join Natural Awakenings and KnoWEwell for a life-changing series entitled The Healthy Man each Tuesday in June at 5 p.m. PDT/8 p.m. EDT.

Topics

n Lifestyle choices that add years to a man’s life and life to his years n Tips to maintain youthful energy, a desired weight and a healthy libido n Strategies for optimal eye health n Good posture techniques for peak human performance and pain-free aging n Habits that create resilient kids and a lasting legacy

Speakers

n Ben Greenfield, human performance consultant and author of 17 books including Boundless Parenting n Dr. Eric Plasker, chiropractor and author of The 100 Year Lifestyle n Dr. Tracy Gapin, board-certified urologist and author of Male 2.0 and Codes of Longevity n Dr. Krista Burns, chiropractor, founder of the American Posture Institute and author of The Posture Principles n Christopher Smith, co-founder of Family Brand and the Campfire Effect, creating leaders at home and in business n Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, board-certified optometrist and pioneer in neuro-optometry n Dr. Tarin Forbes, board-certified integrative doctor specializing in anti-aging and metabolic medicine n Dr. Alan Christianson, naturopathic endocrinologist specializing in thyroid disease and author of The Metabolism Reset Diet and The Thyroid Reset Diet

Admission is $59, which includes all Tuesday evening sessions and a one-year membership to KnoWEwell. To learn more and register, visit Tinyurl.com/NACNJMen2023 or scan the QR Code. See ad, page 19.

Coming In June

MEN'S HEALTH

A Forum for Spiritual Seekers

People are thinking deeply about what they believe and still have questions. Some people claim they are spiritual but not religious. Podcasts are built around the idea of deconstructing faith. Unfortunately, it’s a lonely path. Support is hard to find for those who are questioning what they have been taught. Online communities provide some support but not in person spiritual community.

This forum will provide an opportunity to consider and discuss your faith (if you want, no pressure) with other people on a similar spiritual journey.

Join

Dates: May 7, May 21 & June 11.

Time: Lunch at 12, program from 1 to 3pm.

Hosted

For