Water Birth Is Not Recommended In Indonesia, There Is A Danger To Mothers And Babies

JAKARTA Indonesian role artist Nikita Willy delivers happy news after she gave birth to her second son on December 15, 2024. However, the method of giving birth chosen by this 30-year-old artist is in the spotlight.

Just like her first child, Nikita Willy also gave birth to her second child in Los Angeles, United States. From a number of photos uploaded on her social media accounts, Nikita is known to choose to give birth using the water birth method.

Nael Idrissa Djokosoetono has joined us on earth, raised in the warmth of the house and surrounded by the people who love us the most, Nikita wrote on her Instagram.

Since marrying Indra Priawan Djokosoetono and giving birth to his first child in January 2022, Nikita Willy's parenting style has always been a concern, including the choice of the method of giving birth.

If two years ago he chose the pervaginam method, this time he gave birth using the water birth method.Nikita is not the first person in Indonesia to choose this method. singer Andien Aisyah and Widi Mulia are among those using the water birth method to give birth to their child.

Water births became the talk of the audience a few years ago, because this method is considered to reduce the pain of mothers during childbirth and has many other benefits.

A certified nurse midwife at Pioneer Women's Health at Greenfield, Sarit Shatken-Stern, explains, "water birth means part of the delivery process, birth, or both of them occur when you are in a pool filled with warm water."

Like all the birth processes, there are no definite rules about how the delivery process in water will take place. Everything is very spontaneous and must be in accordance with the needs, the wishes of people who give birth and the health of their mothers and babies," Shatken-Stern quotedBaystate Health as saying.

Giving birth in water is a popular choice for those who want to give birth without using, or at least reduce the use of pain removal tools including epidurals and opioids. In the process, water birth is carried out in a bath filled with warm water.

"Anyone who has sat in a warm tub or jacuzzi will definitely feel the effect of relaxation from bathing in warm water," said Shatken-Stern.

"Water in the maternity tub is kept as close to body temperature as possible, helping relax and relax muscles which in turn reduce pain," he added.

In addition, being in the water also makes it easier to move and change positions as desired. This can help speed up childbirth and for some people, make contractions more effective and help move the baby under the pelvis.

Just by floating and not being burdened can be very calming for people who are about to give birth and increase their sense of control over how the birth process takes place, Shatken-Stern continues.

She also noted that giving birth in water has proven to reduce the risk of severe tearing of the peineum and the need for episiotomy. Another benefit of water birth for babies is the fast transition to life outside the uterus.

"Even though the baby is only submerged in water for a few seconds, the transition from the uterus to the world is considered slightly softer when done in the water," he explained.

Even though it is a favorite choice for mothers, the water birth method has not yet been recommended in Indonesia. Dr. Ardiansjah Dara Sjahruddin, Sp.OG said that in 2012 the Indonesian Obstetrics and Gynecology Association (POGI) had issued a circular to obstetricians not to carry out the practice of giving birthwater birth.

Doctor Ardiansjah explained several reasons why water birth was not recommended. First, because scientific evidence about the safety and benefits of giving birth in water is still minimal. In addition, water birth is also not included in the medical education curriculum in Indonesia.

"So if an obstetrician practices water birth, the association cannot take responsibility if something happens," said Ardiansjah.

In the water birth process, said Ardiansjah, there are a number of risks such as infection because when giving birth everything comes out in the water, such as urine, feces, or blood vessel tearing, birth canal tearing, and others.

Meanwhile dr. Muhammad Fadli, Sp.OG said the water birth was not recommended for cases of fetal death, as happened a few years ago.

Apart from this incident, Dr. Fadli said that giving birth in water does have a risk, especially for babies who are born.

"When he was about to be born out of his head, sometimes he was already crying and breathing. Well, this can cause aspirations, then the water outside, which enters the lungs, and eventually can cause the baby to become asphytic, lack of oxygen. Or it can cause infection, to death in the fetus," said Fadli.