Abstract
Objectives
The goal of our study was to assess the effect of water birth on obstetrical outcome,
the maternal and neonatal infection rate in a selected low risk collective.
Study design
In this prospective observational study (1998–2002) 513 women, wished to have a water
birth. The study was approved by the local ethical committee, informed consent was
obtained. According to the course of delivery, we compared three groups: woman who
had a water birth, a normal vaginal delivery after immersion and a normal vaginal
delivery without immersion. Outcome measurements were maternal and fetal infection
rate, obstetrical outcome parameters and relevant laboratory parameters.
Results
The groups were comparable in terms of demographic and obstetric data. The maternal
and neonatal infection rate and laboratory parameters showed no significant difference
among the groups. There was no maternal infection related to water birth. There were
five water born neonates and three neonates after normal vaginal delivery preceded
by immersion with conjunctivitis. Significant differences were observed in obstetrical
outcome parameters: less use of analgesia, shorter duration of first and second stage
of labor, smaller episiotomy rate in water birth. In contrast no differences were
seen in all observed fetal outcome parameters: APGAR score, arterial and venous pH,
admission rate to neonatal intensive care unit.
Conclusions
Water birth is a valuable alternative to traditional delivery. The maternal and fetal
infection rate was comparable to traditional deliveries.
A careful selection of a low risk collective is essential to minimize potential risks.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 25, 2006
Accepted:
September 25,
2006
Received in revised form:
August 28,
2006
Received:
June 28,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
