Caption

Water birth. The father cuts the umbilical cord of his newborn baby a few minutes after delivery, which took place in a water pool. Many are the benefits of giving birth under water. Contractions during labour are less painful, it is easier to achieve relaxation and the tissues of the perineum, the area between the vagina and anus, are soft and supple. This may prevent the perineum from tearing and may avoid the performance of an episiotomy, the cutting of the perineum, in order to enlarge the vaginal aperture.