BMJ  2004;328 (7 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7435.0-a

Water delivery helps labour progress

Labouring in water may reduce the need for augmentation and other forms of obstetric intervention in women with dystocia, and be an option when progress in the first phase of labour is slower than expected. Cluett and colleagues (p 314) randomised 99 nulliparous women with dystocia to immersion in water in a birth pool or to standard augmentation (amniotomy and intravenous oxytocin). Women labouring in water had a lower rate of epidural analgesia, and fewer required augmentation. There was no difference in the rate of operative delivery, but more neonates in the water group were admitted to a neonatal unit for reasons apparently unrelated to water labouring. The authors believe that this strategy may increase satisfaction, reduce pain, and optimise use of resources.

Credit: MOTHER & BABY PICTURE LIBRARY/EMAP

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Relevant Article

Randomised controlled trial of labouring in water compared with standard of augmentation for management of dystocia in first stage of labour

Elizabeth R Cluett, Ruth M Pickering, Kathryn Getliffe, and Nigel James St George Saunders
BMJ 2004 328: 314. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]