• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

Study Finds "Clear Medical Advantages of Water Birthing"

ms-birth

My first water birth

Both of my children were born in birthing tubs. The experience of transitioning from the aquatic environment of the womb to body temperature water seems so logical and natural. Of course, what may seem logical and natural to me (and countless other mothers and midwives) does not necessarily mean it is so; however, a recent study has concluded:

Results suggest clear medical advantages of water birthing: significantly shorter labor duration among the primiparae; a net reduction in episiotomy rates; and a marked drop in requests for pain relievers.

Published in Minerva Ginecol, an Italian medical journal, “Water birthing: retrospective review of 2625 water births. Contamination of birth pool water and risk of microbial cross-infection” studied births occurring in Vipiteno, located in northern Italy.  Water birth outcomes were compared to “normal vaginal delivery”.

One area researchers looked closely at was the “microbial load of the birth pool water”, including the release of fecal matter into the birthing tub.  Bacterial samples both before and after birth were analyzed and neonatal infection rates compared to land births.

Despite microbial contamination of birth pool water during delivery, antibiotic prophylaxis, as indicated by clinical and laboratory suspicion of infection, was administered to only 0.98% of babies after water birth versus 1.64% of those after land delivery…

During expulsion of the fetus at delivery, fecal matter is released into the birth pool water, contaminating it with micro-organisms. Despite this, water birthing was found to be safe for the neonate and did not carry a higher risk of neonatal infection when compared with conventional vaginal delivery.

This scientific study only confirms what water birthing mothers know from experience.  Ms Pugmire of the Manawatu Home Birth Association explains, “The water is absolutely amazing. I’ve never met anyone who birthed in water and considered birthing any other way.”  I have to agree!

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe!

« Hank D and the Bee: Free Weed Killer for ALL!
5 Green Products: PVC-Free PackIt Personal Cooler to Putumayo Presents World Christmas Party »

Comments

  1. Anastasia B says

    November 4, 2010 at 7:19 pm

    Thanks for confirming what my intuition is telling me for the choice of our second birth! Our first was a drug free birth at a hospital, but I so don’t want to deal with their attitude again – I just want a peaceful birth, preferably in my own home.

    Reply
  2. Erinne says

    November 5, 2010 at 12:10 pm

    Aw, I wish my daughter had been born in the water! I labored in the water for a long time, and pushed in the water for 3 hours, but for some reason it just wasn’t happening. I got out and went to the birth stool, and she was born a few pushes later. Getting into the tub in the evening after laboring all day was wonderful, though. I’m glad I had that little reprise.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Links for Thought (Nov 7-13) « Williamsburg Mothering says:
    November 13, 2010 at 6:48 pm

    […] Study Finds “Clear Medical Advantages of Water Birthing”.  A recent study that might ease the worries of expectant mothers interested in water birth but […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Content

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

Contact Eco Child’s Play

Convenient Plastic Container Free Dropps Laundry & Dishwashing Pods

cbd salve joy organics

CBD Products that Actually Deliver: Joy Organics

More from the archives!

Get a Head Start on the Holidays with I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas

Eat Your Weeds Away: Dandelion Greens

Today is World AIDS Day: No Child Born with HIV

Secrets to Selecting Produce

Tiny Decor: Create a Naturally Modern, Eco-Friendly Nursery or Child's Bedroom

wama hemp underwear

The Most Comfortable Underwear is Made of Hemp: WAMA Review

Simple Organic Ingredients: Better Than Milk

Information

  • About & Contact
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • Consulting Services
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
  • Privacy Policy

Green your Garage: Start with the Lube!

UK Study Finds 12-Fold Increase in Autism

5000 toxic chemicals in children's products

From car seats to Wal*Mart dolls: 5000 toxic chemicals in children’s products

Made in Canada: Natural Pod's Eco-Friendly, FSC Certified Wooden Kitchen Furniture Encourages Dramatic Play

Social Responsibilty: Eco Child's Play Donation

Popular Categories

  • Breastfeeding
  • Health News
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Education
  • Product Review
  • Green Toys

Get our posts via email

Please stay in touch!

You might also like to read…

vegan sushi

Vegan Sushi with Sesame-Ginger Tofu

Natural Beauty Tips: Elure Advanced Facial Products

It’s Time to Quit Plastics and How to do It

OZOKIDZ

Kids’ Music That Does Not Totally Suck: Ozomatl Presents Ozokids

raw, quick, delicious

Vegetarian Cookbooks: Raw, Quick & Delicious

Copyright © 2022 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2022 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.