Water birth, in which a baby is born in a pool of water, is not particularly dangerous for newborns, according to research published in the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health.

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Babies born in water do not have lower Apgar scores or need hospital treatment more than other newborns.

Birthing pools have been used for some time in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. In the US, they have gained popularity. However, safety concerns have caused controversy.

Immersion in water during labor is thought to have various benefits, including less need for pain medication and, theoretically, a smaller chance of vaginal trauma, as the perineum becomes more elastic and relaxed in water.

The water is believed to reduce stress hormones and decrease blood pressure, easing tension in the mother. For the baby to pass from the amniotic sac into the warm water may also be less stressful for the neonate, possibly reducing fetal complications.

One concern is the possibility of drowning. When babies are born, they have a “dive reflex,” which means they can block their throats when underwater. This should mean there is little chance of drowning. However, near-drownings have been reported due to the baby breathing in fluid from the tub.

There is also a small risk that water will enter the mother’s bloodstream, causing a water embolism. The fear of additional exposure to infection has also been voiced, although at least one study has indicated that this is unlikely.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics support laboring in water but not being immersed when the baby is born.

Researchers at Oregon State University (OSU) studied data on nearly 17,000 women who gave birth in the US between 2004-2009. The majority were attended by Certified Professional Midwives.

The source of the data was the Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project (MANA Stats), and the midwives provided detailed reports on their cases from their medical records.

Of the 17,000 recorded cases, more than 6,500 of the deliveries were water births. These births were all attended by midwives, and they all took place either in a dedicated birthing center or at home. None of the water births analyzed were carried out in a hospital.

The Apgar scores recorded for babies delivered in water were no lower than those of other newborns. Nor was there any higher chance of water babies having to be transferred to the hospital after birth or to spend time in a hospital during their first 6 weeks of life. However, mothers who gave birth in water had an 11% higher chance of perineal tearing than those who did not.

Lead author Marit Bovbjerg, an epidemiology instructor in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at OSU, believes that the benefits of a water birth may outstrip the risk of tearing for some women.

She calls on individuals to consider the pros and cons of each birthing option carefully before deciding. “There is no one correct choice,” she says.

Bovbjerg adds:

The findings suggest that water birth is a reasonably safe, low-intervention option for women who face a low risk of complications during the birthing process. These are decisions that should be made in concert with a medical professional.”

Needless to say, all water births should also be attended by a qualified health care worker.

Co-author Melissa Cheyney comments that water birth appears to be “a reasonably safe option for low-risk women, especially when the risks associated with pharmacologic pain management, like epidural anesthesia, are considered.”

Medical News Today recently reported on findings suggesting that home births do not increase the risk of complications in or after delivery.