Water Birthing

Abstract

This thesis will examine the question: “What are the benefits and consequences of water birthing?” Water-birthing is practiced as a procedure in hospitals, however, it is theorized that due to risks, it is rarely used. This synthesis will examine the literature regarding water births. Articles will be collected examining the perceived risks and benefits of water birthing in an attempt to understand why or why not water birthing is used. Articles will be collected on demographics in an attempt to understand how demographics influence birthing methods. This thesis will discover if the type of provider and/or support person during the birthing experience influences an individual’s decision to give birth in water. Comprehensive data collection will be exercised through CINHAL database to obtain explanatory reasoning and to offer support to this theory that due to its risks water birthing is rarely used.