Midwifery Department, School of Health Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, Ptolemaida, Greece; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust, England, UKInterests: natural births; waterbirths; humanisation of birth; normality at birth
Dear Colleagues,
The practice of water immersion during labour and childbirth, otherwise known as ‘waterbirthing’, has become increasingly popular at a global level. There is a growing body of evidence that the use of water during labour and birth leads to fewer intrapartum interventions and increases the likelihood of a normal birth. Waterbirthing has been reported to significantly reduce the need for epidural analgesia, and for this reason is often referred to as ‘aquadural’ or ‘wet-epidural’. It has also been reported to reduce the rate of caesarean section and to increase the likelihood of an intact perineum. Moreover, there is no evidence in the literature so far to indicate any increase in adverse effects to the fetus/neonate, or to the woman from labouring or giving birth in water.
In view of the heavy medicalisation of births in both developed and developing countries, a simple and cost-effective way to re-introduce normality during labour and birth with minimal intervention would be to support waterbirths.
The goal of this Special Issue is to collect relevant articles pertaining to waterbirths as a means of promoting natural births. This should also provide the scientific community with up-to-date information on the benefits and potential risks of this method of birth. The Special Issue will favor articles that highlight the underlying biological mechanisms that could explain the effects of water during labour and birth. Furthermore, it welcomes innovative research on the outcomes of waterbirths, as well as qualitative research on the birthing experiences of women who have waterbirths. Related review papers on this topic are also welcome.
Dr. Dimitrios Papoutsis
Guest Editor
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