These talks were organised in collaboration with St James Hospital, Zabbar and Sliema, which provide waterbirth

facilities.

Since 1960, thousands of women in different countries have discovered the advantages of getting into a warm pool during labour and birth. Experience has shown that there are many advantages in using warm water during labour: pain level is lower, it is easier to move due to weightlessness in water and it is relaxing. There is a sense of being safe and contained and medical interventions and procedures are considerably reduced, thus making the patient more cooperative.

Since a waterbirth facility was introduced in Malta, there have been more than 2,000 waterbirths. During the talks, Dr Josie Muscat, the pioneer of waterbirths in Malta, gave a short overview and comparison of his personal experience with both traditional births and waterbirths. “Over the years, lots of efforts have been made to minimise the pain of labour. In today’s world, there are two schools of thought with regard to birth experiences.

“One is hi-tech oriented while the other school promotes natural methods. I am in the middle of the road, between the two schools of thought. There are still those instances in which one has to make use of drugs. Today there is enough data which ensures waterbirth as a safe delivery method. Of course, it’s wrong to offer it as the only way of giving birth, just as it’s wrong to damn it.”

Mr Andrew Davidson, an Australian obstetrician and gynaecologist, discussed the experience of waterbirthing in John Finn Hospital, a private Australian hospital. This hospital, which was built 10 years ago, has small corner spas in each birth suite. He said that 40 per cent of women opt for water immersion.

“Water immersion” means that the woman labours in water, but leaves the water to deliver the baby. “Waterbirth” means that the woman labours in water and delivers the baby into water. “Although many women prefer to deliver in water, there are very few hospitals which offer waterbirth in Australia. In fact, the Australian health department is against waterbirths. People may think that waterbirth is more prone to complications but recent data shows that water immersion cannot be a cause per se for complications.”

Every pregnancy is different for every woman. Every delivery is unique and offers a challenge. Consultant paediatrician Dr Victor Calvagna explained that the basis of a good delivery is the psychological preparation for it. “A pregnant women needs to understand what is going on around her. She needs to know about all local methods of birth available for her. It is the mother who must feel comfortable with her choice of delivery. The most common reason women like the water is because it feels good.”

Further information on waterbirths and waterbirth facilities in Malta may be found at St James Hospital on telephone numbers 2169-2055 and 2329-1220

or by visiting the website at www.stjameshospital.com.