Water childbirth (childbirth in water, childbirth in water) - a method of childbirth , in the implementation of which the woman giving birth is immersed in water .
This method is used to reduce pain, increase the comfort level during childbirth, and mitigate birth stress in a newborn caused by a sharp drop in temperature, gravity, light, and sound. [one]
Proponents believe that delivery in water is more relaxed, less painful. Critics claim that the safety of childbirth in water has not been scientifically proven and that a wide range of adverse neonatal outcomes have been documented [2], including an increase in the number of infections of the mother or child and the possibility of drowning. The 2018 Cochrane review of immersion in water at the first stage of labor indicates less use of epidural analgesia and fewer side effects, but there is still insufficient information about the birth itself (second stage of labor) in water. [3] Various structures that unite parents and are dedicated to children and childbirth partially support and partially criticize childbirth in water. (translation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_birth#References )
Content
History
The first descriptions date back to the 16th century. (see the citation from the book “Chronicle of Peru” by the historian Pedro Ciez de Leon ). The first documented cases in Europe date back to the 19th century: 1803 - France, 1805 - Germany.
In Russia, the pioneer of childbirth in water is I. B. Charkovsky (since the mid-60s). The basis of his activity is the belief in less traumatic injuries of the fetal brain during childbirth in water due to a decrease in the pressure gradient . The first water birth was held in 1980 in Moscow.
Subsequent studies have shown that water delivery is a gentle regimen for the baby’s brain, improved placental nutrition during childbirth, increased tissue elasticity in warm water, natural pain relief and effective recovery of the baby after birth stress [2] .
M. R. Oden owns the first publication in the scientific journal on the topic of water birth [Lancet, 1983, ii, 1476-1477]. M. R. Oden described childbirth in water as “more natural” and “close to nature” and based his conclusions on the successful practice of childbirth in the basin of the Pitivier Clinic since the early 70's.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
The discussion of the problems of water birth is, as a rule, more journalistic than scientific. No large-scale experiments were made to give the method a statistical assessment. Some researchers believe that the popularity of water genera is not justified by anything other than fashion [3] :
The most widespread delivery in the UK is water, which is ahead of other countries in the number of children born this way (about 20,000 per year). Pools for childbirth are installed in almost 80 English hospitals, a special maternity hospital with a pool in each ward has been opened, and rental of small tanks for home delivery has been organized. However, in some countries of Western Europe, including England, many local authorities have banned the delivery of water after it became known about the death of several newborns.
A moderate or even low level of evidence indicates that conducting the first stage of labor in water reduces pain. The 2018 Cochrane Review showed that immersion in water during the first stage of labor reduces the use of epidural analgesia, but there is no clear evidence of the benefits of immersion in water at the second stage of labor or complete delivery in water. However, there is no evidence of an increase in the negative effects of immersion in water during the initial stages of labor. There is no convincing evidence that childbirth in water reduces the number of ruptures or injuries of the perineum.
Childbirth in water can provide perineal support to a woman in labor, and in theory this can reduce the risk of rupture and reduce the likelihood of using an episiotomy.
A 2014 review reported that immersion in water during the first stage of labor can shorten its duration, reduce pain, and can also reduce the incidence of epidural / spinal analgesia. Similarly, this can reduce the number of caesarean sections and minimize stress incontinence symptoms 42 days after delivery. The review reported that diving during childbirth does not appear to increase the infection rate for the mother or baby, and Apgar scores for the baby are similar to normal births. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_birth#References )
Risks
The Royal Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Royal College of Midwives have published a joint statement supporting the delivery of water for healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies, but do not recommend it in cases of complications.
In a 2005 comment, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Fetal and Newborn Committee published an analysis of the scientific literature on underwater labor. The Committee noted a number of positive studies on underwater childbirth, but further criticized them for the lack of proper scientific control, the significant number of cases of child mortality and illness and the general lack of information in support of the use of water birth. The report concludes with:
The safety and effectiveness of underwater delivery for newborns has not been established. There is no convincing evidence of benefits for the newborn, but some concern about serious harm. Therefore, underwater childbirth should be considered as an experimental procedure, which should be carried out only in the context of a properly developed RCT after the informed consent of the parents.
See also
- Midwife
- Obstetrics
- Gynecology
- Home birth
- Natural parenthood
- Lamaz Method
- Midwife
Notes
- ↑ Water and childbirth . William and Martha Sears ( William and Martha Sears (Sears). Date accessed May 21, 2012. Archived September 22, 2012.
- ↑ Martynova I.A. Born of your own free will. Chronicle of the midwife. . - St. Petersburg: Assembly, 2011 .-- 440 p. - ISBN 5888122106 .
- ↑ Childbirth in water . E.K. Aylamazyan. Date of treatment May 21, 2012. Archived September 22, 2012.