Tuesday 5 July 2022 11:39 PM There's a 'clear benefit' in choosing water births over traditional deliveries: ... trends now
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Water births provide 'clear benefits' for mothers and their newborns, with fewer complications, evidence suggests.
A water birth involves using a birthing pool to help with relaxation and pain relief during labour.
In some instances the mother exits the pool for the final stages of labour, while others remain in the pool for the birth and bring the newborn to the surface to start breathing.
Researchers analysed 36 studies involving more than 150,000 women to compare the interventions needed during and after labour between the two different types of water birth compared to standard care, without the use of a birthing pool.
Analysis revealed a water birth – regardless of whether the woman gave birth in or out of the pool – 'has clear benefits to women'.
Compared with standard care, a water birth significantly reduced the use of epidurals or injected opioids, and were linked to less pain and heavy bleeding after the birth.
A water birth also increased mothers' satisfaction levels and the odds of an intact perineum, however there were more instance of umbilical cord breakage, the scientists said.
A water birth involves using a birthing pool to help with relaxation and pain relief during labour (file image)
The practice was deemed to be as safe as standard care and did not increase the rate of caesarean sections.
Writing in the journal BMJ Open the researchers, from Oxford Brookes University, said: 'Water immersion provides benefits for the mother and newborn when used in the obstetric setting, making
