The effects of water on labour : a randomised controlled trial

D.Cur.The primary objective of this study was to determine whether water immersion during the first stage of labour provides pain relief. The second objective was to set guidelines for the use of water during the first stage of labour. The study was done at a Public Sector Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, serving a low to middle income population. The women in the study were recruited during labour and no woman was expecting to make use of water. An experimental randomised controlled trial was used to evaluate the women's experience of pain during labour and within 24 hours after the delivery. Secondary outcomes were the women's physiological data, neonatal outcome, delivery outcome, satisfaction with coping during labour, infection and postnatal depression. The results showed a significant reduction in the experience of pain during the first stage of labour. No adverse maternal or fetal outcomes were noted. The fetal heart rate was significantly increased with the mother's temperature, with no long-term effects. Water immersion during the first stage of labour is effective and safe to use in the majority of labouring women, and should be an option available to all women who prefer to labour as naturally and normally as possible