Neonatal outcomes with water birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Vanderlaan, Jennifer; Hall, Priscilla; Lewitt, MaryJane

doi:10.1016/j.midw.2017.12.023

Cited by 47 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…According to literature, waterbirth is safe for women with healthy pregnancies and low‐risk births (Davies et al, 2015; Nutter et al, 2014; Taylor et al, 2016; Ulfsdottir, Saltvedt, & Georgsson, 2018; Vanderlaan et al, 2018) and should thus be presented as an alternative for pregnant women who consider ways to give birth. Our findings illustrate that while women appreciate the opportunity to give birth in water, a positive birthing experience can be hampered if the equipment is unsuitable.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our findings illustrate that waterbirth involves various benefits that women who choose this way to give birth highly appreciate and indicate that it is a suitable and a valued alternative for eligible women. According to literature, waterbirth is safe for women with healthy pregnancies and low-risk births (Davies et al, 2015;Nutter et al, 2014;Taylor et al, 2016;Vanderlaan et al, 2018) and should thus be presented as an alternative for pregnant women who consider ways to give birth. Our findings illustrate that while women appreciate the opportunity to give birth in water, a positive birthing experience can be hampered if the equipment is unsuitable.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research has not identified any increase in maternal mortality or morbidity for women who give birth in water with healthy full‐term pregnancies and low‐risk births in cephalic presentation (Nutter, Meyer, Shaw‐Battista, & Marowitz, 2014; Ulfsdottir, Saltvedt, & Georgsson, 2018). No differences has been observed in low risk births between children born in and out of water with regard to neonatal outcomes, including Apgar scores, postnatal infections, umbilical cord samples, and admissions to neonatal intensive care (Davies, Davis, Pearce, & Wong, 2015; Taylor et al, 2016; Vanderlaan, Hall, & Lewitt, 2018), indicating that waterbirth is a safe alternative for many women.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Waterbirth in low‐risk pregnancy: An exploration of women’s experiences

Carlsson

Ulfsdottir

2020

Journal of Advanced Nursing

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Aims To explore retrospective descriptions about benefits, negative experiences and preparatory information related to waterbirths. Design A qualitative study. Methods Women who gave birth in water with healthy pregnancies and low‐risk births were consecutively recruited between December 2015–October 2018 from two birthing units in Sweden. All who gave birth in water during the recruitment period were included (N = 155) and 111 responded to the survey. Women were emailed a web‐based survey six weeks postpartum. Open‐ended questions were analysed with qualitative content analysis. Results Two themes were identified related to benefits: (a) physical benefits: the water eases labour progression while offering buoyancy and pain relief; and (b) psychological benefits: improved relaxation and control in a demedicalized and safe setting. Two themes were identified related to negative experiences: (a) equipment‐related issues due to the construction of the tub and issues related to being immersed in water; and (b) fears and worries related to waterbirth. In regard to preparatory information, respondents reported a lack of general and specific information related to waterbirths, even after they contacted birthing units to ask questions. Supplemental web‐based information was sought, but the trustworthiness of these sources was questioned and a need for trustworthy web‐based information was articulated. Conclusion Women who give birth in water experience physical and psychological benefits, but need better equipment and sufficient information. There is room for improvement with regard to prenatal and intrapartum care of women who give birth in water. Impact Judging from women's recounts, midwives and nurses should continue advocating waterbirth in low‐risk pregnancies. The lack of adequate equipment in Swedish birthing units articulated by women challenge current routines and resources. The findings illustrate unfulfilled needs for preparatory information about waterbirth, further strengthening that midwives should discuss the possibility of waterbirth when meeting expectant parents in the antenatal setting.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Waterbirth in low‐risk pregnancy: An exploration of women’s experiences

Carlsson

Ulfsdottir

2020

Journal of Advanced Nursing

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“…Some of the outcome variables compared were Apgar Scores, infection rate and admission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In some of the studies, umbilical cord blood samples were collected, showing a similar or slightly higher pH value among babies born in water (5,95,96). The conclusion drawn from these studies is that there is no increased risk for neonates in waterbirth compared to conventional birth, but there is still a lack of evidence with respect to occurrence of rare adverse events and long term effects of waterbirth.…”

Section: Neonatal Outcome After Waterbirthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A higher frequency of admissions to NICU in the non-waterbirth group was observed in Studies I and IV, which may be explained by selection bias or possibly a type I error. However, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of waterbirth, conclude that risks are not increased for babies born in water in a low-risk population (5,95,96) and it is not always possible to perform an RCT (158).…”

Section: Neonatal Outcomementioning

confidence: 99%