Birthing question

Published

this is probably a common sense question but i was unsure, i was reading a post on home births and they were talking about the mothers not having iv's so they drink a lot of water and then the baby has brain damage. can someone explain this to me? :confused:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Educator.

i have never heard of this. have been to LOTS of home births. please explain

thanks :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care and LTC.

Maybe this isnt right but.... If your getting too much IV fluid doesn't it slow down labor? Maybe if they're drinking too much H2O it slowing down labor and cause lack of O2? Not for sure.:selfbonk:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Only thing I can think of is diluting your electrolytes....never heard of it happening though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The question about whether or not homebirth is safe is answered for me in the facts that there is not the appropriate medical equipment at home that there is in a hospital, plain and simple.

No matter what studies say, I want immediate access to doctors, specialists and machines if nesessary.

Midwives at home have a different mind-set than medical professionals in the hospital. I've seen the damage they've caused first hand.

"oh, you don't want an IV? ok, here, drink a lot of water. oops, your baby now has brain damage...sorry?!"

Give me a break.:angryfire

This is where I read it, maybe I am just reading the sentence wrong :confused:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Psych, Education.

I would go back to that thread and ask the original poster what she meant. I'm not quite sure where she's going.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
this is probably a common sense question but i was unsure, i was reading a post on home births and they were talking about the mothers not having iv's so they drink a lot of water and then the baby has brain damage. can someone explain this to me? :confused:

don't believe everything you read on a message board.

it would take gallons of water to cause an electrolyte imbalance large enough to cause problems for the mother and baby. and what laboring mom can hold down that much water? if she's only allowed to have water and not food or drinks with sugar, there is a possibility of mom having a low blood sugar if it's an extremely long labor, and this could cause the baby to have a lower blood sugar as well, i suppose.

but overall, and no disrespect to the women discussing this topic on that forum...i think they need to talk to their midwives for clarification.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
Don't believe everything you read on a message board.

It would take gallons of water to cause an electrolyte imbalance large enough to cause problems for the mother and baby. And what laboring mom can hold down that much water? If she's only allowed to have water and not food or drinks with sugar, there is a possibility of mom having a low blood sugar if it's an extremely long labor, and this could cause the baby to have a lower blood sugar as well, I suppose.

But overall, and no disrespect to the women discussing this topic on that forum...I think they need to talk to their midwives for clarification.

I agree, it would take a lot of water to cause problems. I must admit, when I've gone to a delivery, and mom has been in labor for a long time, I worry about the babe's blood sugar. Moms are given LR when in labor, and that doesn't do anything for the baby. I make sure that it gets to breast or formula asap.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.
this is probably a common sense question but i was unsure, i was reading a post on home births and they were talking about the mothers not having iv's so they drink a lot of water and then the baby has brain damage. can someone explain this to me? :confused:

you are referring to what i posted. i took care of a baby whose mother refused any iv during labor ( at home) so the midwife instructed her to drink a lot of water instead. the baby was born with severe electrolyte imbalances causing seizures.

have you ever heard of water torture as a form of frat house initiation?

well, a 20-something year old guy in california died from drinking too much water during a hazing episode.

btw, the baby died from brain damage due to the electrolyte imbalance (seizures=brain damage) :(

kim

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.
This is where I read it, maybe I am just reading the sentence wrong :confused:

Yep, that was me. Sorry I didn't elaborate much until now...homebirth topics boil my blood to say the least...because of the damage I've seen, mainly from ignorant midwives and/or duolas (sp.?)

My husband and I both refused a midwife in the hospital and the medical team was fine with that.:nono:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.
Don't believe everything you read on a message board.

It would take gallons of water to cause an electrolyte imbalance large enough to cause problems for the mother and baby. And what laboring mom can hold down that much water? If she's only allowed to have water and not food or drinks with sugar, there is a possibility of mom having a low blood sugar if it's an extremely long labor, and this could cause the baby to have a lower blood sugar as well, I suppose.

But overall, and no disrespect to the women discussing this topic on that forum...I think they need to talk to their midwives for clarification.

Excuse me, but i don't lie. This mom drank quarts of water, don't remember exactly how much, but way too much. I personally read the chart of this baby and know the history. You would be surprised at what moms do or don't do while in labor to "protect" their baby and end up causing harm.

I've seen it first hand.

I wish the original poster would have just sent me a personal message about this.

Kim:(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.
I would go back to that thread and ask the original poster what she meant. I'm not quite sure where she's going.

I agree. I'm just glad I saw this post so I can defend myself and explain!:lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion