Water birth is
childbirth that occurs in water. Proponents believe water birth results in a more relaxed, less painful experience that promotes a
midwife-like model of care.
[1]
Critics argue that the safety of water birth has not been
scientifically proven and that a wide range of adverse neonatal outcomes
have been documented
[2] including increased mother or child
infections and the possibility of infant
drowning. A 2009
Cochrane Review of water immersion in the first stages of labour found evidence of fewer
epidurals and few
adverse effects but insufficient information regarding giving birth in water.
[1] Parent, child and birthing organizations have produced statements both supporting and criticizing water birthing.
Benefits
Water birth offers perineal support for a birthing mother, which decreases the risk of tearing and reduces the use of
episiotomy.
[3] A
Cochrane Review found that immersion during the first stage of
childbirth reduces the use of
epidurals,
though it could not reach any other conclusions for other stages of
labour or other outcomes and did not have enough information to make any
conclusions on full water birth. It did not find evidence of increased
adverse effects for immersion during the first stages of labour.
[1]
