Experiences of water immersion during childbirth: a qualitative thematic synthesis

Table 5 Benefits of water birth identified by women/midwives

Benefits	Source
A greater feeling of autonomy and control over the childbirth process	[8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19]
Increased opportunities for experiencing a more natural childbirth	[8, 10,11,12,13,14, 16, 19];
Easing the transition into motherhood	[8]
Providing pain relief without relying on medical interventions	[11, 12, 16]
Allowing the opportunity to witness the birth of the child	[11]
The option of immersion in water	[11, 12]
Immersion in water for increased mobility and a sense of lightness	[11, 16]
Tranquility, improved breathing, and relaxation leading to synergy between body and mind	[11,12,13, 16, 19];
More privacy and discretion during the childbirth process	[13]
Minimizing the medicalization of childbirth, resulting in less use of analgesia and oxytocin	[10, 12, 15,16,17]
A feeling of positive experience	[9, 10, 12, 16]
A feeling of success in childbirth	[11]
More physical and psychological benefits	[15, 16]

[8] Clews et al. 2019; [10] Fair et al. 2020; [11] Gonçalves et al. 2019; [12] Lewis et al. 2018; [13] Ulfsdottir et al. 2018; [14] Antonakou et al. 2018; [15] McKenna et al. 2013; [16] Carlsson et al. 2020; [17] Milosevic et al. 2019; [19] Lewis et al. 2018 (midwives)

ISSN: 1471-2393