Waterbirth: An Integrative Analysis of Peer‐Reviewed Literature

Most of the included studies were observational and reported on water births in hospital. Over half of the studies were conducted in the UK, and over 80% were conducted in Europe. All, but one study, reported maternal outcomes; all, but three, reported neonatal outcomes. Maternal outcomes were use of analgesia, perineal state or laceration or need for episiotomy, postpartum haemorrhage, and perception of relaxation and pain relief, among others. Neonatal outcomes were Apgar score, admission to neonatal intensive care, and death, as well as a range of complications. Study participants were not described. Most births were in hospital; three studies were in birth centres; and one study examined hospital, birth centre, and home water births.