On pages 202-204 in the "That's Life: Why You and Your iPod Must Die" section (chapter 8) Dr. Moalem explains how the popularization of water birthing began. He also discusses how newborns react after they are born. Also, Moalem describes how an ancestor of humans, "the aquatic ape", used water to make it easier to give birth. This relates to Big Idea 1 (the process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life) because humans used evolution to become less dependent on water to live in. Yet, if "the aquatic ape" used water to ease birthing pains, then maybe it is beneficial for humans to do the same.
Explain what the mammalian diving reflex is and how can it be beneficial to newborns. Then, present the advantages and disadvantages of water birthing and conventional birthing. Which birthing method seems more beneficial? Are there certain types of people that should only consider one of them? Does water make it easier for humans with small pelvic openings to give birth? Why or why not? Finally, describe what "birthing residue" (page 203) is and the effects it can cause. Relate this to aspiration pneumonia (while describing what aspiration pneumonia is).
(Tyler Hagen-thagen4@students.d125.org)
The mammalian diving reflex is present in all mammals, and triggers them to hold their breath underwater. This is an evolutionary adaptation, and can relate to BIG Idea 1, which states "The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life". Some new theories by scientists suggest that us as humans evolved from water creatures. They would give birth in water, and water-birthing is becoming more popular. The mammalian breathing complex can be beneficial to newborns as they do not breathe until they first feel air on their face. If they are delivered conventionally, then there is the risk of the newborn breathing in "birthing residue" before it is cleaned off their face. This can cause an infection of aspiration pneumonia in the lungs. The way to not breathe in water would be helpful to newborns.
ReplyDeleteThe advantages of water birthing compared to conventional birthing are a plenty. The previously mentioned ability to stop infections in the lungs is one. Another advantage is the much faster birth rate, as well as the lack of painkillers needed, as only five percent needed painkillers in water-birthing, compared to sixty-six percent of women in conventional birthing(p204). However, studies have also shown a risk of swallowing contaminated water and brain injuries from a lack of oxygen in the water(webmd.com). Conventional birthing supposedly provides a better chance of no drowning or infection. However, as recent studies with the mammalian diving complex have shown, theses theories have been challenged, but water-birthing remains an alternate choice more females to take. The birthing method that seems more beneficial is the water-birthing method. It has plenty of advantages going for it, and the disadvantages are spotty when compared to recent studies. First time mothers should especially consider water birth as it will result in a much shorter labor time and many women will not need episiotomies, cuts used to expand the vaginal opening.
The limited studies done seem to to indicate that women with small pelvic openings do have an easier time giving birth. They have a less need for painkillers and need less episiotomies. These would seem to indicate the water can provide a stretch and help in the childbirth.
Dr. Moalem refers to "birthing residue" on page 203. This refers to a combination of meconium, the baby's first feces, and the amniotic fluid, in which the baby floats in within the mother. This residue when inhaled can have serious consequences, leading to difficult breathing and aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia is an inflammation to the lungs and airways as a result of breathing in foreign material, in this case, the birthing residue. This is terrible for a newborn and many complications can follow.
Patrick Austin (paustin4@students.d125.org)
Additional sources: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000121.htm
ReplyDeletehttp://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/lungs/meconium.html
The mammalian diving reflex, which i present in all mammals, causes them to hold their breath when submerged underwater. This relates to big idea 1: "The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life" because this is a trait that has evolved in mammals to help them survive. The diving refle is benificial to newborn babies who were water-birthed. With conventional birthing, a baby will take it's first breath as soon as it feels air on its face. However this could lead to the baby inhaling fecal matter or "birthing residue" (203). If a baby is born in water, they will not take thir first breath while underwater because of the mammalian diving reflex. This allows doctors to clean their face before they can inhale bacteria. The aquatic ape hypothesis suggests that our ancestors once lived in an aquatic environment. This would explain why our bone structure makes it difficult for women to give birth when they are outside of water.
ReplyDeleteOne benefit of water birthing in comparason to conventional birthing is that labor is much shorter for the pregnant woman. Women who give birth in water also experience much less pain. The water also promotes the flow of oxygen and "reduces stress related hormones, allowing the mother's body to produce endorphines which serve as pain inhibitors" (http://americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/waterbirth.html) As Dr. Moalem says on page 204, a majority of women who gave birth in water needed no pain killers. As patrick mentioned above, this is benificial to the baby as well because it prevents infections. It gives the doctors time to clean the baby off before it gasps for air. However, many mothers may choose conventional birthing because of the risks of water birth. According to web-md, the baby may experience brain injuries from a lack of oygen. If the water is contaminated, both the baby and the mother risk serious infection. (http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/water-birth)
Water birthing seems more beneficial because it is more soothing, and less painfull. It can also lessen the chance of infection for the baby. For women with a small vaginal opening, water birthing is very beneficial. Dr.Moalem says on page 204 that women who gave birth in water "had a dramatic reduction in the need for episiotomies". This is a surgical cut that makes the vagina wider so it is easier to give birth. Moalem says that water allows "more of a stretch".
Dr. Moalem talks about "birthing residue" on page 203. As patrick said, this is a combination of meconium, fecal metter, and amniotic fluid. If a baby inhales this, it could cause aspitation pneumonia, which is an infection in their lungs. Moalem describes that if a baby is born conventionally, there is a chance that it could inhale this residue. However, if a baby is born in water, the doctors can clean away the residue before the baby takes its first breath and prevent infection.
(julianna holzer- jholzer4@students.d125.org)
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