Perineal outcomes and its associated variables of water births versus non-water births: a cross-sectional study

• Main Authors: Joyce da Costa Silveira de Camargo (Author), Vitor Varela (Author), Fernanda Marçal Ferreira (Author), Christiane Borges do Nascimento Chofakian (Author), Ruth Hitomi Osava (Author), Natalúcia Matos Araújo (Author), Nadia Narchi (Author), Maria Elisabete Santos (Author), Manuela Nené (Author), Catarina Grande (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Abstract Objectives: to describe the perineal outcomes of women who had delivered in water and out of water. Methods: a cross-sectional and quantitative study developed in a public hospital in Setúbal, Portugal. The population was of women who participated in the "Water Birth Project" in the period from 2011 to 2014, which gave birth in water and out of water. 104 women were selected according to established inclusion criteria. The groups were compared according to the following variables: demographics, obstetric information, delivery care and perineal outcomes. The data were analyzed in the Stata(r) software, with descriptive and bivariate statistics (chi-square and Fisher's test). Results: the medical records of 73 women who gave birth in water and 31 women who gave birth out of water were studied. Water deliveries were significantly associated with fewer perineal lacerations, lower rates of episiotomy, and shorter delivery time. Conclusions: the results of the study suggest that childbirth in water has a protective effect against severe third or fourth degree perineal tears, during fetal expulsion in water.

Item Description

1806-9304
10.1590/1806-93042019000400003