Water Birth

Pros/cons of a water birth

Oct 9, 2024

Kaitlin Gauna
Kaitlin Gauna

Kaitlin Gauna, LM, CPM

·

Oct 9, 2024

Despite ACOG/AAP’s statement that waterbirth carries no benefits, the American Association of Birth Centers has collected data that indicates there are some potential benefits associated with waterbirth.


Pros


  • Lower rates of episiotomy

  • Higher rates of intact perineum

  • Possibly lower rates of 3rd or 4th-degree tears

  • Possibly lower rates of postpartum hemorrhage

  • Less medication use for pain relief—this may be important for women who want or need to avoid epidurals or narcotic medications during labor.

  • Possibly fewer NICU admissions after waterbirth (it is not known whether the lower NICU admission rates are due to waterbirth itself or because women are asked to leave the tub for the birth at the slightest hint of problems with the fetal heart rate)


Cons


  • We need more research evidence on waterbirth (in particular, research studies with appropriate comparison groups), which makes it more difficult to make a truly informed choice.

  • Umbilical cord snaps are rare but possible. Care providers must avoid placing too much traction on the cord when guiding the infant out of the water.

  • Several case reports of water aspiration have been made, but these cases have not been observed in any prospective research study since 1999, and almost all of the infants in the case reports made a complete recovery.

  • Although large research studies have not shown any increase in the risk of infection, several case reports of infections after waterbirths have been reported. This risk can be lowered by regularly culturing the hospital water supply, hoses, and tubs and by installing filters when necessary.

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