Safety and underwater birth—what every risk manager should know

Underwater birthing has become a popular birth practice in some areas of the country. Although many of these deliveries occur in a home birth setting, the practice has also been implemented in hospitals and birthing centers. There is continued controversy about the risks and benefits of underwater birthing (as opposed to hydrotherapy during labor), and many risk managers are unaware of these potential risks and benefits. The purpose of this article is to review the significant risks and benefits of underwater birthing, to review relevant literature and several Professional Organizations' Position Statements regarding underwater birthing, and to provide a safety checklist for hospital risk managers who wish to consider adding underwater birthing to their current scope of perinatal care.