As some people on the blog have mention, Dr. Moalem discusses Elaine Morgan's aquatic ape hypothesis, which discusses that people may have evolved from a primate ancestor when a group went to live more of their lives near the water. This accounts for the decreased hair on humans, and bipedalism, because the bouyancy force from the water helped the aquatic apes stand on 2 feet. Many human characteristics seem to relate to water, so it is possible that the way we give birth does too?
On pages 203-204, Dr. Moalem states that giving birth in water protects babies from aspiration pneumonia, which occurs when a baby breathes while there is still birthing residue on its face, which can be inhaled and cause infections. Babies only start to use their lungs when they feel air on their faces, but can still receive oxygen from the umbilical cord when they are underwater. Water birthing is also seen as less painful, as far fewer women request epidurals, and it is a much faster process.
Why do water births occur in a shorter period of time? Relating to target one, even if people's ancestors lived in the later, why (besides all of the aforementioned reasons) might water births provide a selective advantage over land births? Is it possible that the babies could get other infections from pathogens in the water, even though they may be avoiding aspiration pneumonia?
(Zachary Rane, zrane3@students.d125.org)
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ReplyDeleteWater births occur in a shorter period of time because in the water bath the women is more relaxed. The water relaxes the mother's muscles and improves blood flow which allows her to concentrate on birth. It is also noted that some moms believe that water birth is more natural and therefore less stressful. To continue, the water also allows for easier movement because it provides a natural buoyancy which can help to make you more comfortable and your contractions more effective therefore resulting in a quicker birthing process.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, water births might provide a selective advantage over land births because it provides an easier transition from the womb into the world because of the gentle transition from the womb into the warm water of the birthing pool. Also, there is no intervention to induce birthing and because the mother is much calmer, it provides emotional benefits for the baby. This relates to Big Idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life. Although birthing on land and in water for humans both produces functional babies, there may be a slight selective advantage to those who birth in water allowing them to survive and reproduce and evolve. However, unlike other selective advantages, although water birthing may allow for easier birthing process, it does not mean that the next generation will also choose water birthing as it is not a characteristic, but a choice.
Lastly, it is possible that babies could pick up other infections from the water. For example, there was a reported case of a baby picking up P aeruginosa because despite the meticulous washing and cleaning of the tub system, contamination still occurred. This shows that there is always the possibility of infection despite extreme precautions.
Journal Sources:
Water Birth Basics - From Midwifery Today Magazine
Water Birth: Benefits & Risks - From WebMD Health and Pregnancy
Water birth and infection in babies - From BMJ
Benefits to Baby When Having Water Births - From A Conscious Birth
(Dana Morgan, Dmorgan4@students.d125.org)
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ReplyDeleteA water birth is often an easy way out for the mother, because it gives them not only a physical assistance due to the buoyant force, but a mental placebo, hoping that it would hurt less. A water birth occurs quicker because there is much less pressure on the abdomen muscles. As Dana mentioned, muscles are much more relaxed under water, making it easier and less painful for the mother. Also, due to buoyancy, it is easier for the uterus to contract, and makes blood flow much quicker and easier, resulting in more oxygen for the uterine muscles, less pain for the mother, and more oxygen for the baby. It is also easier for the mother to move to a more comfortable position to assist the baby's descent.
ReplyDeleteIf human ancestors really did live in the water, it could be a selective advantage for a newborn baby to be born into water rather than land, because it could give the newborn more comfort than hospital sheets and latex gloves. In response to Dana, I do ont believe that the mother's state of mind would have an effect on the newborn, because it is so immersed in tears and is being treated by doctors to cut the umbilical chord to be focused on the state of the mother, who they had never met before. Also, I agree with Dana, this certainly does relate to Big Idea #1 because there is a slight chance that the newborns are less susceptible to disease in a water birth, possibly helping them lead a healthier childhood. Many critics of the water birthing method say that babies may gasp for air under water, and be at risk for drowning. But due to the "mammalian diving reflex-present in all mammals-triggers them to hold their breath." (Moalem 203.) Therefore, since "babies don't gasp for air until they feel air on their face," (Moalem 203) there is no concern about drowning or permanent brain damage due to lack of oxygen, therefore most likely there will be little danger to a baby's ability to survive and reproduce.
Babies are most definitely exposed to pathogens in the water, but they are also exposed to many pathogens when they leave the womb in a land birth. A study was done in the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics in a hospital in Italy, about the rate of disease in water births. Out of a total 300 tested births, the contents of the water after birth were quite disturbing."29% of the A-samples showed bacterial growth with Legionella pneumophila, 22% with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 18% with enterococci, 32% with coliforms, and 8% with Escherichia coli." (Benthamscience.com). Following these results, a water filtration system was installed, and the results were quite drastically different. "There were no further signs of Legionella bacteria, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found in only 3% and coliforms in 13% of the samples, respectively." (Benthamscience.com). Although pathogens are everywhere, there is a way to heavily decrease the chances of a child being infected at birth in a tub. Although tub births aren't the conventional way of doing things, they may be the future of childbirth.
Journal Source:
The Open Women’s Health Journal, 2008, 2, 5-10
Andrew Komarov (akomaro4@students.d125.org)