Factors influencing water immersion during labour: qualitative case studies of six maternity units in the United Kingdom.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Water immersion during labour can provide benefits including reduced need for regional analgesia and a shorter labour. However, in the United Kingdom a minority of women use a pool for labour or birth, with pool use particularly uncommon in obstetric-led settings. Maternity unit culture has been identified as an important influence on pool use, but this and other possible factors have not been explored in-depth. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify factors influencing pool use through qualitative case studies of three obstetric units and three midwifery units in the UK.

Methods

Case study units with a range of waterbirth rates and representing geographically diverse locations were selected. Data collection methods comprised semi-structured interviews,

SUBMITTER: Milosevic S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7682119 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature