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Water birth
Water birth is childbirth that occurs in water, usually a birthing pool. It may include the use of water for relaxation and pain relief during the first stage of labour, birth into water in the second stage of labour, and the delivery of the placenta in the third stage of labour.
Proponents believe childbirth in water results in a more relaxed, less painful experience. A 2018 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. A moderate to weak level of evidence indicates that water immersion during the first stage of childbirth reduces the pain of labour. A 2018 Cochrane Review found that immersion at this stage reduces the use of epidural analgesia; however, there is no clear evidence on the benefits of immersion for the second stage of labour, namely delivery (sometimes called full water birth). There is no evidence of increased adverse effects for immersion during the first or second stages of labour.
Water birth may offer perineal support for the mother, and some theorize that this may decrease the risk of tearing and reduce the use of episiotomy. Evidence for this is not strong.
A 2014 review reported that water immersion during the first stage of labour can reduce the length of that stage, labour pain, and the use of epidural or spinal anaesthesia. It is also associated with a lower rate of cesarean delivery and stress urinary incontinence symptoms 42 days after delivery. The review reported that immersion during labour did not appear to increase the rate of infections for the mother or the baby, and Apgar scores for the newborn infant were similar to those of conventional births.
Waterbirth may lead to a higher rate of cord avulsion, or the snapping of the umbilical cord. Statements on water birth by peak gynaecological and midwifery bodies in the UK, Australia and New Zealand all stipulate that exclusion criteria apply for high risk births.
There is limited evidence for some of the purported benefits of waterbirth.
A birth pool is a specially designed vessel for waterbirth. They are generally larger than bathtubs to enable buoyancy and freedom of movement during labour. A birth pool can either be permanently installed or portable.
Before birth pools became readily available there were many stories of women labouring and birthing in re-purposed tub-like products including animal watering troughs.
Water birth
Water birth is childbirth that occurs in water, usually a birthing pool. It may include the use of water for relaxation and pain relief during the first stage of labour, birth into water in the second stage of labour, and the delivery of the placenta in the third stage of labour.
Proponents believe childbirth in water results in a more relaxed, less painful experience. A 2018 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. A moderate to weak level of evidence indicates that water immersion during the first stage of childbirth reduces the pain of labour. A 2018 Cochrane Review found that immersion at this stage reduces the use of epidural analgesia; however, there is no clear evidence on the benefits of immersion for the second stage of labour, namely delivery (sometimes called full water birth). There is no evidence of increased adverse effects for immersion during the first or second stages of labour.
Water birth may offer perineal support for the mother, and some theorize that this may decrease the risk of tearing and reduce the use of episiotomy. Evidence for this is not strong.
A 2014 review reported that water immersion during the first stage of labour can reduce the length of that stage, labour pain, and the use of epidural or spinal anaesthesia. It is also associated with a lower rate of cesarean delivery and stress urinary incontinence symptoms 42 days after delivery. The review reported that immersion during labour did not appear to increase the rate of infections for the mother or the baby, and Apgar scores for the newborn infant were similar to those of conventional births.
Waterbirth may lead to a higher rate of cord avulsion, or the snapping of the umbilical cord. Statements on water birth by peak gynaecological and midwifery bodies in the UK, Australia and New Zealand all stipulate that exclusion criteria apply for high risk births.
There is limited evidence for some of the purported benefits of waterbirth.
A birth pool is a specially designed vessel for waterbirth. They are generally larger than bathtubs to enable buoyancy and freedom of movement during labour. A birth pool can either be permanently installed or portable.
Before birth pools became readily available there were many stories of women labouring and birthing in re-purposed tub-like products including animal watering troughs.
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