Water birth is not better than natural childbirth.

Leading doctors worldwide warn that water birth – a birthing method chosen by women in many Western countries – is no better than other conventional birthing methods and may even be dangerous for the baby.

Water birth is a birthing method that is increasingly favored by women in developed countries. (Illustration: Health News)

Water birth was once thought to help mothers reduce labor pain and facilitate a smoother delivery. However, leading medical experts worldwide assert that there is currently no evidence of any benefits of this birthing method for mother and baby.

Giving birth in water can be extremely dangerous, posing a risk of death to the fetus. Doctors cite numerous reports of "rare but serious" problems in babies born in water, including potentially fatal infections, hemorrhages, and drowning.

Warnings have been issued as water births become increasingly popular in the UK. Most maternity centres in the UK are equipped with at least one pool for water births. It is estimated that around 1 in 100 pregnant women in the UK use this pool at some point during labor, and many of them remain in the water until both mother and baby are healthy.

Schools of obstetricians, gynecologists, and midwives in the UK state that healthy women without abnormal pregnancy symptoms can choose water birth. However, new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are more cautious.

American experts believe more research is needed to determine whether using a swimming pool during childbirth can help reduce the need for strong painkillers and shorten labor time for mothers. They suggest that water births should temporarily be limited to participants in medical studies to avoid potential risks.

According to Vietnamnet