Underwater birth and neonatal respiratory distress:Case report does not constitute reliable evidence

Cluett, Elizabeth R.; McCandlish, Rona; Burns, Ethel; Nikodem, Cheryl

doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7505.1447-c

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…While these concerns warrant follow up and future study, observational studies provide more reliable evidence versus case studies which should not be used as the basis for final practice recommendations. 64,65 An additional consideration is the potential for intrapartum immersion to support physiologic birth and cost containment in maternity care, primarily due to its efficacy as a nonpharmacologic method of pain relief. 7 Childbearing women in the United States typically experience multiple medical and obstetric interventions during labor and birth that result in increased cost of maternity care and potential for iatrogenic complications as unintended consequences.…”

Section: Background and State Of The Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

The Experience of Land and Water Birth Within the American Association of Birth Centers Perinatal Data Registry, 2012-2017

Snapp

Stapleton

Wright

et al. 2020

Journal of Perinatal &Amp; Neonatal Nursing

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Consumer demand for water birth has grown within an environment of professional controversy. Access to nonpharmacologic pain relief through water immersion is limited within hospital settings across the United States due to concerns over safety. The study is a secondary analysis of prospective observational Perinatal Data Registry (PDR) used by American Association of Birth Center members (AABC PDR). All births occurring between 2012 and 2017 in the community setting (home and birth center) were included in the analysis. Descriptive, correlational, and relative risk statistics were used to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes. Of 26 684 women, those giving birth in water had more favorable outcomes including fewer prolonged first- or second-stage labors, fetal heart rate abnormalities, shoulder dystocias, genital lacerations, episiotomies, hemorrhage, or postpartum transfers. Cord avulsion occurred rarely, but it was more common among water births. Newborns born in water were less likely to require transfer to a higher level of care, be admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit, or experience respiratory complication. Among childbearing women of low medical risk, personal preference should drive utilization of nonpharmacologic care practices including water birth. Both land and water births have similar good outcomes within the community setting.

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Section: Background and State Of The Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%