Strategies for Providing Low-Cost Water Immersion Therapy With Limited Resources

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Midwifery Care
• Patient Comfort during Labor

Background:

• A university-affiliated medical center's women's health unit renovation led to the temporary unavailability of a permanent labor tub.
• Hydrotherapy is utilized by 40% of patients within the nurse-midwifery practice, making its absence a significant concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and implement a safe, cost-effective, and easily replicable interim solution for providing hydrotherapy during labor.
• To ensure continuity of care and patient comfort for women utilizing water immersion therapy.

Main Methods:

• A rigorous search was conducted to find a suitable alternative to the permanent labor tub.
• The developed strategy focused on safety, cost-effectiveness, and ease of replication for other institutions.

Main Results:

• A safe and cost-effective interim strategy for providing hydrotherapy during labor was successfully developed.
• The solution is designed for easy replication, enabling other facilities to offer this therapy.

Conclusions:

• The developed interim solution effectively addresses the temporary loss of permanent hydrotherapy facilities.
• This strategy ensures that laboring women can continue to benefit from water immersion therapy, promoting comfort and potentially improving labor outcomes.