Women and waterbirth: A systematic meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

Abstract

Background: The practice of waterbirth is increasing worldwide and has been a feature of maternity services in the United Kingdom for over twenty years. The body of literature surrounding the practice focusses on maternal and neonatal outcomes comparing birth in and out of water.Aim: To undertake a review of qualitative studies exploring women's experiences of waterbirth. This understanding is pertinent when supporting women who birth in water.Methods: A literature search was conducted in databases British Nursing Index, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Maternity and Infant Care, Medline, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts and Web of Science, using search terms waterbirth, labour/labor, childbirth, women, mothers, experience, perception and maternity care. Five primary research articles published between 2003 and 2018 which explored the views of women who had birthed in water were selected for inclusion. Using meta-ethnography, qualitative research studies were analysed and synthesised using the method of 'reciprocal translational analysis' identifying themes relating to women's experiences of birthing in water.Findings: Four themes were identified: women's knowledge of waterbirth; women's perception of physiological birth; water, autonomy and control; and waterbirth: easing the transition.Discussion and conclusion: Despite the paucity of qualitative studies exploring women's experiences of waterbirth, meta-synthesis of those that do exist suggested women identify positively with the choice. The experience of birthing in water appears to enhance a woman's sense of autonomy and control during childbirth suggesting waterbirth can be an empowering experience for women who choose it.

A systematic meta‐thematic synthesis to examine the views and experiences of women following water immersion during labour and waterbirth

“…This review follows a recent metasynthesis of five studies related to waterbirth (Clews et al, 2019). While the authors sought to examine women's experiences of waterbirth, only one theme directly addressed this aim; autonomy and control was a key theme that women reported following their experience of a waterbirth; a finding that aligns with our theme of 'Liberation and self-emancipation'.…”

“…While the authors sought to examine women's experiences of waterbirth, only one theme directly addressed this aim; autonomy and control was a key theme that women reported following their experience of a waterbirth; a finding that aligns with our theme of 'Liberation and self-emancipation'. Our review expands on Clews et al's (2019) theme through the development of three higher order themes, nine key finding statements supported by confidence assessments; all of which relate to women's experiences of water immersion. Our findings are also supported by several quantitative surveys that examined women's experiences of water immersion (Carlsson & Ulfsdottir, 2020;Cooper & Warland, 2019;Reyhan & Sayiner, 2019;Richmond, 2003;Ulfsdottir et al, 2020).…”

Untitled

“…Coinciding with studies that suggest that water delivery is a factor that drives the improvement of the delivery experience. 21,27,45,46 Regarding the decision to deliver in water, decision-making is often limited by lack of access to hydrotherapy tubs, access to intermittent auscultation as a primary form of fetal surveillance, and lack of screening tests. standardized to establish births with low medical risk, which were the main inclusion criteria in this work for water births.…”

The Use of Birth Plan to Support Waterbirth: A Qualitative Approach

“…J Gynecol Res Obstet 6(2): 024-030. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/jgro.000081 relief, freedom of movement, and reduction of unnecessary interventions, such as excessive numbers of vaginal touches and episiotomies [2,3].…”