Study: Water births are as safe as land births for mom, baby

ANN ARBOR– A new study found that water births are no more risky than land births, and that women in the water group sustain fewer first and second-degree tears. 

University of Michigan researchers analyzed 397 waterbirths and 2025 land births from two midwifery practices. There were no differences in outcomes between waterbirth and land birth for neonatal intensive care admissions, and postpartum hemorrhage rates were similar for both groups.  

“The long and short of it is that if you use proper techniques. . . the outcomes are very good,” said Ruth Zielinski, clinical associate professor of nursing and study co-author. “They mirror what we see in international studies of water birth. More facilities should offer water birth and have guidelines for implementing it,”  

In water birth,  the woman gives birth in a water-filled tub rather than a bed. Few US hospitals or birth centers offer tub births because of perceived risk to the newborn, mainly suggested by case studies of neonatal infections or cord tearing. Professional organizations tend to agree that women in labor should have access to water for comfort, but not all support birth in the water. This means hospitals must make women leave the tub before the birth.  

During a water birth, babies take their first breath when removed from the tub. Until then, their lungs are filled with water, which is displaced when they hit the air and breathe. The connected umbilical cord provides oxygen.

“It’s important not to re-submerge babies. At U-M, they are birthed in the water, brought out almost immediately, and we’re careful to not re-submerge them. Mom and baby exit the tub with help and warm blankets,  typically prior to delivering the placenta so that blood loss can be more accurately calculated. 

Zielinski said more studies are needed to understand the satisfaction level of women who have water births. 

The study, “A retrospective comparison of waterbirth outcomes in two United States hospital settings,” is scheduled to appear online Dec. 10 in the journal Birth. Co-authors include:  Joanne Bailey,  Cathy Emeis, and  Lisa Kane Low. More information on water birth.

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