[Water contamination and infection rate after water births]

This study aimed at examining the water of the birthing tub for pathogenic germs and at comparing the infection rates of the children born conventionally.

In a prospective study, the germs found in the water of 300 water births were determined . The tub water was sampled twice: sample A was taken after filling the tub with tap water, sample B after the water delivery. In addition, the paediatrician documented any signs of infection of the neonates during their hospital stay.

The A samples contained Legionella in 29%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 22%, enterococci in 18%, colibacilli in 32% and Escherichia coli in 8%. After fitting a filter system, no Legionella was detected any more. P. aeruginosa was found in only 3% of the samples. In the B samples, we found an increased contamination by colibacilli in 81%. A marked burden with E. coli was detected in 58% of the samples. Due to a clinically an biochemically suspected beginning infection, 1.15% of the water-born children (14 out of 1,215) were given antibiotics. In contrast, 2.30% of the conventionally born neonates (19 out of 817) were treated with antibiotics.

It is evident that during the bearing-down phase faeces are discharged into the birthing tube and that the water is contaminated mainly by E. coli and colibacilli, but also slightly by Staphylococcus aureus. The contamination of the tap water by Legionella and Pseudomonas could clearly be reduced by installation of a filter system into the supply hose of the birthing tub. Neonatal infections were not more frequent after water births than after conventional deliveries.