Water birth, more than a trendy alternative: a prospective, observational study

Zanetti-Dällenbach, Rosanna; Lapaire, Olav; Maertens, A.; Holzgreve, Wolfgang; Hösli, Irène

doi:10.1007/s00404-006-0208-1

Cited by 25 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Other studies have also indicated that immersion in water during labor and delivery can reduce the analgesic requirements of the mother without adverse effects on the neonate [2-4,14,15]. Our results also showed that VAS pain scores were significantly lower in the water immersion group than in the conventional labor group.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

“…The potential for adverse neonatal outcomes has been an argument against water immersion and water births [19]. However, a number of studies have reported equivalent or better neonatal outcomes (Apgar scores, requirement for neonatal intensive care unit admission) for women that have undergone water immersion and water births as compared with those who have undergone conventional labor and delivery [2-4,20]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, theoretically water immersion during the labor can reduce pelvic floor tissue injury and subsequent pelvic floor dysfunction. Studies have shown that water immersion and water birth are associated with a lower use of episiotomy and less severe vaginal and perineal injuries than conventional labor and delivery [2-4,17]. The results of this study showed that the incidence of SUI symptoms at 42 days after childbirth in the water immersion group was significantly lower than that in the conventional labor group (6.1% vs. 25.5%, respectively, p = 0.035), suggesting that water immersion during the labor provides a protective effect on pelvic floor function at an early stage postpartum.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A comparison of maternal and neonatal outcomes between water immersion during labor and conventional labor and delivery

Liu

Huang

et al. 2014

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A comparison of maternal and neonatal outcomes between water immersion during labor and conventional labor and delivery

Liu

Huang

et al. 2014

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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“…Some researchers and providers differentiate criteria that preclude waterbirth but not immersion during labor. These include history of a shoulder dystocia, history of severe postpartum hemorrhage (> 1000 mL), meconium‐stained amniotic fluid, suspected macrosomia, or fetal growth restriction …”

Section: Practice Principles For Waterbirthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Waterbirth Fundamentals for Clinicians

Nutter¹,

Shaw-Battista²,

Marowitz³

2014

J Midwife Womens Health

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A related patient education handout can be found at the end of this issue and at www.sharewithwomen.org Waterbirth is defined as fetal emergence underwater and is distinct from immersion hydrotherapy used during labor but not during the actual moment of birth.1 Waterbirth requires maternity providers to expand their knowledge and skills beyond conventional birth care, including research and potential advantages and risks, in order to provide informed consent and to promote safe clinical practice. This issue of the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health (JMWH) contains an integrative analysis of 38 peer-reviewed studies, which provides an overview of the most current evidence on waterbirth.1 The current state of evidence suggests that the risk of harm from waterbirth to the mother and neonate is minimal. The purpose of this article is to present a combination of general physiologic principles and specific practice recommendations to facilitate safety during waterbirth, as well as clinical pearls to help increase midwives' knowledge of the care modality. FETAL PHYSIOLOGYMidwives who provide waterbirth must understand the basic physiologic theory of fetal breathing movement (FBM) and the fetal dive reflex in order to answer the common question, "Why doesn't the baby drown?" Physiologic theory demonstrates that fetuses are subject to hormonal conditions during physiologic childbirth, which suppress FBM that normally occurs during late gestation and does not typically result in the intake of amniotic fluid into the lungs. Research suggests that the adaptive mildly hypoxic fetal environment during labor further inhibits FBM.2 This is reinforced by endorphins produced during labor by women who do not receive pharmacologic pain relief methods.2 These factors combine to make the risk of water aspiration related to FBM unlikely in healthy fetuses born underwater after uncomplicated parturition.The fetal dive reflex can also serve as a protective mechanism to prevent water aspiration in neonates born in water. The dive reflex is normally present in human newborns and results in obstructive expiratory apnea and closure of the larynx in response to chemoreceptors triggered by foreign substances, including bathwater, near the vocal cords or cold air on the face.2-4 The dive reflex can be overridden during sublethal hypoxia, necessitating appropriate fetal monitoring and the exclusion of compromised fetuses from birth in water in order to minimize the risk of water inhalation.

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“…[41][42][43] Bacteriological testing for GBS carriage is not recommended for women with preterm rupture of membranes. IAP should be given once labour is confirmed or induced irrespective of GBS status.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%