Research about Using Water in Labour

The UK Central Council for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors (UKCC) has recognised "that waterbirth is preferred by some women as their chosen method for delivery of their babies. Waterbirth should, therefore, be viewed as an alternative method of care and management in labour and as one which must, therefore, fall within the duty of care and normal sphere of the practice of a midwife".⁵²

The use of water for labour and delivery has largely not yet been evaluated or researched,⁵³ although a recent study looked at the safety of giving birth in water.⁵⁴ This concluded that water births were as safe as conventional low-risk births.

In the absence of research evidence, there is a wealth of anecdotal evidence on the benefits of using water during labour.^55,56,57 These include:

• Warm water may reduce pain and therefore reduce the need for other forms of pain relief. This will avoid the unwanted side effects of pethidine or an epidural.⁵⁰
• The relaxing effect of the water.

A birthing pool, where the woman is immersed in warm water, can provide further benefits:

• The water supports the woman's body, making it easier for her remain upright, and to change position and move around. This in itself can have a beneficial effect on labour, both for first stage¹⁷ and for second stage.²⁵
• A birthing pool can give a woman a sense of privacy which may help labour to progress.

There is some evidence to suggest that if a woman uses a birthing pool too early in labour, the labour may be prolonged and the woman is more likely to find that the water does not give sufficient pain relief.⁵⁸ It has been suggested that water is used when contractions are intense,⁵⁵ possibly when cervical dilatation has reached 5cm.⁵⁸

To ensure the safety of using water for labour and birth, in the absence of research evidence it has been suggested that:

• The temperature of the water should be restricted to body temperature, or lower, to prevent problems to the baby caused by overheating.¹⁷
• The baby should be brought gently to the surface as soon as s/he is born¹⁷and that the baby is face-up as s/he emerges from the water.⁵⁶
• The baby is monitored using an appropriate method, and the woman should give birth out of the water if there is indication of fetal distress.⁵⁶
• The woman is attended by a midwife who is confident and competent in caring for women giving birth in water.⁵⁶

Click to carry on thinking about your hopes for the birth.