Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Water births immensely healthful for mums and babies; here's why

Studies published between 2000 and 2021 were analysed, involving more than 150,000 women

Water births immensely healthful for mums and babies; here's why

For those mums about to deliver your baby, you’ve probably already planned how you want to bring your bundle of joy into the world. But if you’re still open to ideas – you may want to opt for a water birth.

According to new research, the increasingly popular water births have been found to result in fewer complications and fewer pain medications and interventions during and after the birth process in comparison to standard care.


Experts are of the opinion that water births provide ‘clear benefits’ for healthy mums and their newborn babies. It is also reported to provide higher levels of satisfaction for the new mum.

In a review of previous studies published by BMJ Open, it was found that water births ‘significantly reduced’ the use of epidurals and injected opioids too.

What’s more, it’s also known to reduce pain and heavy bleeding after the birthing process.

Water birth is carried out in a birthing pool which provides relaxation and pain relief. The mum can either stay in the pool for the entire birthing process and bring the newborn to the surface to breathe or exit the pool for the birth – for the newborn to emerge into the air to breathe.

For those unfamiliar with the term, experts say, water birth is just what it sounds like. It’s when part of the labour and the delivery of the baby takes place in a warm body of water, known as the birthing pool or tub.

According to information provided on HealthPartners, warm baths help one to relax. So, being immersed in a warm bath during labour provides the same relaxation benefits. This probably helps reduce the mom’s blood pressure, providing an overall calm experience.

Also, because of the water’s buoyancy, moving and repositioning during labour is easier – this, in turn, helps with easing the contractions.

Information on the NHS about using water in labour cites that being in water can help you relax and make the contractions seem less painful.

For the new study, researchers wanted to compare the extent of healthcare interventions that were needed during and after labour between the two different types of water birth and to check if the results differed between water birth and standard care not involving a birthing pool.

Studies published between 2000 and 2021 were analysed, involving more than 150,000 women.

Most of the studies were carried out in obstetric units.

A range of interventions and outcomes were included in the studies such as artificial breaking of waters, induced labour, the use of epidurals, breastfeeding, admission to intensive care etc.

Dr Ethel Burns, of Oxford Brookes University and the study’s lead author is reported to have said, “A waterbirth was as safe as standard care for healthy mums and their newborns.

“Compared with standard care, a water birth significantly reduced the use of epidurals, injected opioids, episiotomy, as well as pain and heavy bleeding after the birth.”

In general, Dr Burn said that water birth benefits the mum and the newborn when used in the obstetric setting, thus, “making water immersion a low-tech intervention for improving quality and satisfaction with care.”

She adds, “It is an effective method to reduce pain in labour, without increasing risk.”

More For You

british-muslims-iStock

The study noted that this identification was not due to any doctrinal obligation but was influenced by the perception that many Muslims do not feel fully accepted as British. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Majority of British Muslims identify by faith first, study finds

A STUDY by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) has found that most British Muslims identify primarily with their religion rather than their nationality.

The research, based on a survey of 815 British Muslim adults by Whitestone Insight, revealed that 71 per cent of respondents identified as Muslim first, while 27 per cent identified as British, English, or Scottish first.

Keep ReadingShow less
Car Tax Changes: EV Owners Now Required to Pay for the First Time

Owners of electric vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2025 will pay £10 for the first year, followed by the standard VED rate of £195 from the second year. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Car tax changes take effect: EV owners to pay for first time

FROM today, 1 April 2025, electric cars, vans, and motorcycles in the UK will be subject to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for the first time.

The change, introduced in the 2022 Autumn Statement by former Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, aims to make motoring taxation fairer.

Keep ReadingShow less
scotland-minimum-wages-iStock

Full-time workers on the National Living Wage will receive an annual pay increase of £1,400 in real terms. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Wage increase takes effect for thousands of workers in Scotland

HUNDREDS of thousands of workers in Scotland will see a pay increase as new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates take effect from Tuesday.

The changes will benefit approximately 220,000 people, according to STV News.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-energy-bill-iStock

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

April bill increases put financial strain on single parents

A RANGE of essential household bills are increasing from April, with Citizens Advice warning that single parents will be among the hardest hit.

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased, BBC reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Netflix drama Adolescence to be screened in UK schools
Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper in 'Adolescence'
Netflix

Netflix drama Adolescence to be screened in UK schools

THE NETFLIX drama Adolescence will be shown in UK secondary schools as part of efforts to address harmful online influences on young boys, officials announced on Monday.

The show has sparked debate over the impact of toxic and misogynistic content on the internet. Prime minister Keir Starmer met the show's creators, charities, and young people at Downing Street, calling the initiative an important step in starting discussions about the content teenagers are exposed to online.

Keep ReadingShow less