A case series on maternal and neonatal outcomes of hydrotherapy during labor and childbirth

Selection of pregnant women for hydrobirthing

The inclusion criteria consisted of > 37 < 42 weeks of gestational age, couples who were willing to give consent for water birth, normal fetal heart rate (FHR), single fetus with cephalic presentation. The exclusion criteria included , <37 > 42 weeks of gestational age, twin pregnancy, anemia, pregnancy induced hypertension, gestatational diabetes millets, Hydrophobia, previous history of diabetes millets, cardiovascular disease, other pregnancy complications or any viral infections like HIV, HbsAg, skin and vaginal infection. The patient, spouse and family members were counselled and consent was obtained. The eligibility criteria to participate in this study included booked pregnant women for labour and delivery at Bloom Birthing Centre with low risk, regular antenatal check up (AICOG) during first, second and third trimesters for investigations, immunizations/Haematinic supplementation and anomaly detection. Those couples who had regular attendance to antenatal exercise and child birth classes, signed for physiotherapy at 20^th week and who had previous aquatic training.

Protocol of hydro birthing

An air filled water tub placed in a hygienic room was filled with purified warm 36 – 37◦ (with the mean of 37◦) drinking water. When the pregnant woman gets labor pain in bed (first stage of labor), the uterine contractions were monitored, PV examination was done as and when needed, Fetal heart sound (FHS) and Pulse rate was monitored once in every hour. Blood pressure (BP), Cardiotocography (CTG) were taken and kept in observation up to 3cm dilation as the first step and then the parturient was allowed to enter into the warm water tub during the active stage of labor so that immersion was to above the breasts when sitting and all women received one to one midwifery care. The maximum stay in the pool before reassessment by vaginal examination was four hours. If labor progress was satisfactory (cervical dilation ≥ 1 cm/hour), subsequent care could continue in the pool if the woman wished, otherwise augmentation was advised.^[10], ^[11]

Every half an hour FHS was monitored with waterproof fetal Doppler and the woman was asked to sit in a place above the water level for CTG monitoring for the fetal well being. The BP, pulse of the woman was noted, and she was allowed to change her position according to her convenience. During this stage PV examination was done in the water itself to assess the cervical dilation, descend of the head, and progress of labor. When the parturient feels like pushing the baby, she is encouraged to do so. Caution was taken to deliver the head slowly followed by the rest of the body to avoid cord tear. When the head is seen at the vulval outlet, the head is delivered, quickly brought out of the water level, delayed cord clamping was done, baby separated from mother and was given back to the mother for skin to skin contact. Simultaneously the baby was monitored by the paediatrician. Then the mother is brought from the tub allowed to lie on the cot to confirm the separation of placenta then deliver the placenta. The mother was carefully monitored for uterine contractions, perineal tear and postpartum hemorrhage. During this procedure the mother would be supported by her husband or any other birth partner as she wishes along with a team of gynaecologist, paediatrician, nurses and midwives. All the above procedures and protocol of hydro birthing and parameters for assessment of safety and benefits were based on the guidelines for water birth proposed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Royal College of Midwives (RCOM).^[12], ^[13]

Ethical issues

The informed consent included the client information and consent form with the benefits of hydrobirthing such as less pain, improved relaxation, decreased need for episiotomy, lower blood pressure, decreased anxiety and often a faster labor although not all the benefits can be supported by research. The consent form also included the proposed risk of hydrobirthing such as chances of infection, bleeding, chances of mother may slip or fall while getting out of tub, hypo/hyperthermia of mother or baby, difficulty in the management of shoulder dystocia. All the potential benefits and the rare complications of hydrotherapy during labor were clearly explained in the antenatal child birth classes during the second trimester. The parturients were also informed that they may be asked to leave the tub in case of elevated temperature, changes in the baby’s heart rate, bleeding, need for an episiotomy, difficult labor or any other complication that may necessitate to leave the tub. They were also assured that they may be allowed to leave the tub whenever she decides to do so.^[12], ^[13]

Responses at introduction of hydro birthing

As the new birth option (Hydro birthing) was introduced during their antenatal birth classes at first trimester, the mothers to be were delighted and many of them agreed in the beginning but due to the opposition in the family and spouse they lost interest due to fear and finally only 33 among them voluntarily accepted this birth option, consent was obtained from the pregnant women, spouse and family members and were included in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. 7 among the parturients who had given consent for hydrobirthing withdrew their consent due to fear and anxiety after getting into the water pool. Besides this, the classical obstetrical circles showed opposition as these opponents were afraid of possible complications such as aspiration of water, drowning of new born, Post partum blood loss, Hyper/Hypothermia of mother and child, infections etc. As the data and experience were scarce in this field, especially in India, their fears on safety concerns were quite understandable.

Effect of hydro birthing on reduction of perineal damage

Previous published literature, emphasizes that perineal trauma is a common event affecting up to 90% of primy mothers and the incidence of episiotomy in modern day obstetrics is approximately 81%.^[14] The same fact was confirmed by another study which has reported through its findings that nulliparous women were 8.8 times more likely to undergo episiotomy than multiparous women.^[15] Upon comparing the study results of the published research works with our case series, it can be concluded that though the present study consisted of higher percentage of Primy mothers (75%) with average neonatal birth weight of 3 kgs, Asian ethnicity (100%) the perineal tear was very limited and most of them had 1⁰(50%), 2⁰ (35%) perineal tears and only 3 among them had 3⁰ perineal tear ([Table 1]). There was no need for episiotomy among any of the parturients who opted for hydrobirthing. In contrary, among 7 of them who withdrew their consent 5 of them had the need for Right medio lateral episiotomy(RMLE). The findings may contribute to the positive effect of hydrobirthing in preventing severe perineal damage.

Effect of hydrobirthing on labor pain

The present study used verbal report as the single most reliable indicator of pain and the intensity was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) after the delivery. The Visual analogue scale showed that these women had very mild pain (Mean VAS score-1.9) during labor and they reported most satisfying birth experience ([Table 1]). One among the 7 parturients who withdrew her consent for hydrobirthing needed epidural analgesia. All other cases included in the study, did not need any epidural/spinal analgesics or pain killers during hydrotherapy. This may be due to the relaxing effect of warm water and the facilitated movement in its weightlessness and greater freedom of movement. Furthermore, immersing in warm water is proposed to create a calming impact, reduces the stress and relieves anxiety through the secretion of stress-related hormones such as catecholamines.^[16]

Effect of hydrobirthing on postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

According to WHO statistics 25% of maternal deaths are due to PPH. The incidence of PPH is reported as 2% - 4% after vaginal delivery and 6% after cesarean section with uterine atony being the cause in about 50% cases. Every year about 14 million women around the world suffer from PPH.^[17] Based on population-wide studies from well-developed countries, Miller et al., has concluded that the incidence of PPH after vaginal delivery ranges from 0.8% to 7.9%. The greater likelihood of PPH was being nulliparous women with a second stage duration of ≥3 hr. ^[17], ^[18] Our present study was consistent with the previously published results and did not report any post partum hemorrhage. The lower blood loss in water bath could be explained by the hydrostatic pressure in the tub or possibly by a facilitated control of third stage of labor.^[19]

Effect of hydrobirthing on labor induction

The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Survey on Maternal and Perinatal Health, conducted in 24 countries which included nearly 3,00,000 observations, showed that 9.6% of them were delivered by labor induction. WHO Global Survey on Maternal and Perinatal Health. Induction of labor data. World Health Organization: Geneva; 2610. The rate of induction of labor has greatly increased in the past 10 years. In this study, among the 26 parturients 22 of them had no need for labor induction and their labor progressed well by good uterine contractions and only 4 women had the need for Tablet Misoprostol oraally for Labor induction(Table-1). The buoyancy of water enables a woman to move more easily which can facilitate the neuro-hormonal interactions of labor, alleviating pain, and potentially optimising the progress of labor. Besides these facts, water immersion may be associated with improved uterine perfusion, less painful contractions, a shorter labor with fewer interventions.^[20]

Effect of hydrobirthing on APGAR scoring and NICU admissions

It is widely recognised that a low Apgar score, commonly defined as a score less than 7, is associated with increased risks of neonatal mortality, morbidity, infections, asphyxia related complications, neonatal hypoglycaemia, and respiratory distress  and long term outcomes.^[21], ^[22], ^[23] In our case series, Mean Apgar score at 1 minute and 5 minute was 7 and 8 respectively which indicates normal healthy newborn (Table-2). There was no incidence of aspiration, drowning or mortality. This has been explained by diving reflex which is an inhibitory primitive reflex. Aspiration is said to occur only when the diving reflex fails.

In our present study one among the neonate was referred to neonatal admission unit due to respiratory distress. However, respiratory conditions have been reported to be the most common cause for admission across all births, and studies reveal the actual rates of respiratory admissions were higher among non-waterbirths.^[21] The overall neonatal admission rates were low, due to the fact of relatively low-risk population being studied. In order to validate the causes for admissions in greater detail would require a far larger sample.