Water Birth, NOW in Davao!

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]