Waterbirths – stay on the safe side

Abstract

In this article the outcomes for neonates following waterbirths and traditional births are discussed. The umbilical cord blood pH and Apgar scores of neonates born under water are equal to or higher than the umbilical cord blood pH and Apgar scores of neonates born out of water. Some adverse outcomes in neonates following a waterbirth are reported, namely neonatal infections, neonatal hyponatraemia, water aspiration, and foetal hyperthermia, which probably cause hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy and snapped umbilical cords. Guidelines on how to prevent possible adverse outcomes in neonates during waterbirths are given. When these guidelines are followed, none of the above mentioned adverse outcomes are seen. The outcomes for neonates following waterbirths versus traditional births are then similar.