RESOURCES
For parents
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
RECOMMENDED VIDEOS
The Business of Being Born
Producer Ricki Lake and director Abby Epstein were inspired by their own birth experiences to provide a nation of mothers-to-be with insight into the process of childbirth and the various options available when preparing for life s most special event.
Gentle Birth Choices:
Birth as Every Woman Would Like it to Be
Based on Barbara Harper’s book, Gentle Birth Choices, this documentary presents birth as every woman would like it to be. It beautifully reveals the magic and the mystery of birth through the experience of six women actually giving birth — where and how they choose (standing, squatting, waterbirth, homebirth). They are family-centered and attended by midwives or OB/GYN.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
RECOMMENDED VIDEOS
The Milky Way
A documentary exposé about breastfeeding in the United States. It will make every viewer rethink how we treat mothers. The film will empower women to trust their body, their baby, and themselves in their unique journey.
Dr. Jack Newman’s Visual Guide to Breastfeeding
An instructional video providing guidance on breastfeeding techniques and practices.
What Babies Want – An Exploration of the Consciousness of Infants
An award-winning classic documentary film that delves into the awareness and experiences of infants during and after birth.
waterbirth studies
Cardiff University: The POOL Cohort Study (2024)
A groundbreaking cohort study from Cardiff University analyzed 73,000 births across 26 NHS maternity services and confirmed that water births are just as safe as traditional births for both mothers and babies. This comprehensive research found no increased risk of adverse outcomes, making it a crucial study for birth professionals advocating for water birth in hospital settings.
Key Findings:
– Water birth poses no additional risks compared to land birth.
– Reduced pain and increased maternal satisfaction reported by laboring individuals.
– Supports physiological birth, reducing the need for interventions.
The study recently won the prestigious Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Award for its significant contribution to maternity care.
Download the Full Study:
Cardiff University Water Birth Study
The American Association of Birth Centers Study
The American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) Study analyzed over 10,252 water births in accredited birth centers across the U.S., comparing outcomes to land births. The research confirmed that water birth is a safe and effective option for low-risk pregnancies, showing no increase in neonatal complications. Women who birthed in water experienced fewer interventions, lower rates of epidural use, and reduced perineal trauma. Maternal satisfaction was significantly higher, with many reporting less pain and greater autonomy during labor. Newborns had comparable Apgar scores and NICU transfer rates to land births, reinforcing the safety of water birth when practiced in a regulated birth center setting.
Key Findings:
– Waterbirth in accredited birth centers is safe—data from over 10,000 water births showed no increase in neonatal complications compared to land births.
– Lower intervention rates—women who labored and birthed in water had lower rates of augmentation, epidural use, and perineal trauma.
– Positive maternal experiences—mothers reported higher satisfaction levels, decreased pain, and greater autonomy in waterbirth settings.
– Comparable neonatal outcomes—newborn Apgar scores and NICU transfer rates were similar to those of land births, reinforcing the safety of waterbirth when practiced in accredited birth centers.
Cochrane Review on Water Immersion
A Cochrane systematic review analyzed 15 randomized controlled trials involving over 3,000 participants, providing strong evidence supporting water immersion during labor and birth. This meta-analysis is one of the most widely referenced sources for healthcare providers considering water birth.
Key Findings:
– Reduced pain perception and lower epidural use in water labor groups.
– Increased maternal satisfaction—women who labored in water reported feeling more relaxed and in control.
– No increased risk to newborns when proper protocols are followed.
The Midwives Alliance of North America Study
The Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) Study analyzed 17,530 planned midwife-attended home births, including 6,534 water births, to assess the safety and outcomes of water birth in community settings. The study found that water birth was associated with low rates of maternal and neonatal complications, demonstrating comparable outcomes to land birth.
Key Findings:
– Maternal Benefits: Women who gave birth in water had lower rates of perineal trauma and reduced need for medical interventions, such as episiotomies and assisted deliveries.
– Newborn Safety: Apgar scores at 5 minutes and NICU admission rates were similar between water birth and land birth groups, confirming that water birth does not increase neonatal risk.
– Reduced Interventions: Water birth was associated with less frequent use of pain medication and higher maternal satisfaction due to increased comfort and mobility in the water.
– No Increase in Infections: The study did not find any significant difference in infection rates between water-born and land-born babies, reinforcing the safety of water birth when proper protocols are followed.
Download the Full Study:
Maternal and Newborn Outcomes Following Waterbirth
For providers
BARBARA HARPER PUBLICATIONS
OTHER WATERBIRTH STUDIES
NEONATAL OUTCOMES FOLLOWING WATERBIRTH
OPTIMAL CORD CLAMPING IMPACTING NEWBORN BREATHING
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