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PP36 Immersion In Water During Childbirth
- Eva Reviriego-Rodrigo, Nora Ibargoyen-Roteta, Soledad Carreguí-Vilar, Luis Mediavilla-Serrano, Sonia Uceira-Rey, Susana Iglesias-Casás, Ana María Martín-Casado, Ana Toledo-Chávarri, Gonzalo Ares-Mateos, Sonia Montero-Carcaboso, Belén Castelló-Zamora, Natalia Burgos-Alonso, Anai Moreno-Rodríguez, Naiara Hernández-Tejada, Carmen Koetsenruyter, Iñaki Gutiérrez-Ibarluzea
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- Journal:
- International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care / Volume 39 / Issue S1 / December 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 14 December 2023, p. S61
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- Article
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Introduction
Immersion in water is a non-pharmacological method for pain relief during childbirth. The aim was to describe the experiences, values and preferences of women regarding water immersion during childbirth identified in the evidence.
MethodsA systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative evidence was conducted. Databases were searched from 2009 to 2022 and screened for inclusion using pre-determined criteria. Studies that used qualitative methods for data collection and analysis to investigate the opinions of women or health professionals in hospital settings were included. Non-qualitative studies, mixed methods studies that did not separately report qualitative findings and studies in languages other than English or Spanish were excluded. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Research Checklist was used to assess study quality and findings were synthesized using thematic synthesis, as described by Thomas and Harden.
The final report was reviewed by several categories of health professionals that care for mothers and infants, as well women.
ResultsThirteen studies met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Nine studies have been identified that reflect the experience of women in relation to immersion in water during childbirth, a study exploring the factors that determine the use of immersion during childbirth according to the point of view of both women and midwives, and three more studies on midwives’ experience with water immersion during childbirth. In the qualitative studies the following key themes emerged: Reasons identified by the women/professionals for choosing a water birth, benefits experienced in water births and barriers and facilitators of immersion in water during childbirth.
ConclusionsThe evidence from qualitative studies indicates that women associated water birth with a sense of autonomy and control over labor, and a lower level of associated pain. Further, a water birth was considered a positive experience. From the point of view of midwives, to make water births safe, there is a need for adequate resources, as well as rigorous standardized protocols.
PP38 Immersion in water during childbirth: A survey to the Spanish National Health System
- Eva Reviriego-Rodrigo, Nora Ibargoyen-Roteta, Soledad Carreguí-Vilar, Luis Mediavilla-Serrano, Sonia Uceira-Rey, Susana Iglesias-Casás, Ana María Martín-Casado, Ana Toledo-Chávarri, Gonzalo Ares-Mateos, Sonia Montero-Carcaboso, Belén Castelló-Zamora, Natalia Burgos-Alonso, Anai Moreno-Rodríguez, Naiara Hernández-Tejada, Carmen Koetsenruyter, Iñaki Gutiérrez-Ibarluzea
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- Journal:
- International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care / Volume 39 / Issue S1 / December 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 14 December 2023, p. S62
-
- Article
-
- You have access Access
- Export citation
-
Introduction
Certain doubts about immersion in water during birth mainly regarding the safety of the infant, warrant analysis of the data to determine whether immersion in water during childbirth is safe and effective. The aim is to describe the situation regarding the use of water immersion during childbirth in hospitals of the Spanish National Health System across Spanish Autonomous Regions and Cities.
MethodsA questionnaire was developed to assess the use of water immersion on maternity wards of National Health System hospitals. The survey was reviewed by several categories of health professionals and stakeholders. The online questionnaire was distributed via email. A database was created using the Microsoft Excel 365® computer program. Quantitative results were described through percentages and frequency distributions. In the case of free responses, a content analysis was performed, coding the responses into different categories.
ResultsRegarding the status of water birth in Spain, the availability of the option of water birth varies across hospitals of the National Health System. Forty-six hospitals in 13 autonomous regions indicated that they had birthing pools on their delivery wards. Among these hospitals, 20 percent reported having more than 10 years of experience in water births, 45 percent between five and 10 years and 35 percent less than five years. Of the 46 responses received, 78 percent of the hospitals indicated that there was a demand for information on waterbirth by pregnant women. Regarding the existence of criteria for the adequate selection of pregnant women who could opt for immersion in water during childbirth, 89 percent of the hospitals indicated that these did exist, while 11 percent indicated that they did not have agreed criteria for the selection of candidates for water birth.
ConclusionsThe availability of the option of water birth varies in hospitals across the Spanish National System. All the hospitals that have birthing pools offer them in the first stage of labor (dilation), while 32 percent also use them in the pushing stage and 15 percent during delivery of the placenta. It would be advisable to have standardized protocols and training to ensure the possibility that all pregnant women, regardless of their place of residence, can safely opt for water immersion during childbirth with satisfactory results.