[Water birth in the parturients' estimation]

The purpose of the study was to characterise a group of women who decided for under water birth and to show an influence of warm water on their psychosomatic reactions.

The results of the inquiry conducted among 45 women bathed during first stage of normal labour and delivery under water were analysed. The demographic data, water birth knowledge and psychosomatic reactions were studied traditional. The age, education, obstetric history of the women was compared with a group of 45 women who gave birth in a way.

The average age of women in labour under water was 25.6 years and no significant difference to control group (25 years) was found. The most common in our research group was secondary education (62%), after that elementary (20%) and university education (18%). Worse educated women were more rarely decided for water birth (20% in research group vs 41% in control; p < 0.05). A midwife was the most important source of information about warm tub bath during delivery, especially among worse educated women (67%). Concerning reactions after entering the pool, in 69% cases decrease of labour pain and in 64% decrease of spasm pains was observed. In 58% cases the time of delivery was advanced, only in 13% it lasted longer after going into the warm tub. Immersion in the pool was sensed in a positive way by all the parturients. The women described appeasement (78%), relaxation (67%), better opportunities for mid-spasm rest (67%). The water tub bath during delivery was estimated good by all of the women. 76% of the group gave 5 points in 1 to 5 scale. As many as 87% of women wish they born another baby in a water.

A midwife has an essential role in information and making a decision of water birth. Entering the pool causes subjective decrease of labour pain and advance of delivery. Women very good estimate birth in water.