Babies delivered in water: perinatal mortality is no higher

In England and Wales, about 1 in 300 deliveries take place in water, of which 9% are at home. From a surveillance study from April 1994 to April 1996 Gilbert et al (p 483) identified the number of perinatal deaths and of babies admitted for special care after labour or delivery in water. The total number of deliveries in water was reported by maternity units. The authors found that perinatal mortality was similar among babies delivered in water and among babies born to women at low risk of adverse outcomes who did not deliver in water. No deaths were directly attributable to delivery in water, but two admissions for water aspiration and five for a snapped cord may have been related to such delivery.

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Relevant Article

Perinatal mortality and morbidity among babies delivered in water: surveillance study and postal survey

Ruth E Gilbert and Pat A Tookey
BMJ 1999 319: 483-487. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]