title: [Advantages and disadvantages of water birth. A systematic review of the literature].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Water birth is under debate among professionals. For the proponents of this approach, immersion in water during labour and birth may increase maternal relaxation, reduce analgesia requirements and promote a model of obstetric care more focused on the needs of mothers, particularly the empowerment of women to realize their full potential. In contrast, major critics cite a risk of inhalation of water for the newborn and a risk of infection for the mother and the newborn.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review tracks the state of scientific knowledge about water birth in order to determine if it can be generalized in hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of the literature was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Database. The period covered is from January 1989 to May 2013. The level of evidence of the studies was assessed with the analysis guide of the Haute Autorité de santé.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of evidence of the studies identified goes from moderate to low, particularly as regard to studies analysing the expulsion phase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is possible to recommend immersion in water during the labour phase. No recommendation can be made as regard to the foetal expulsion phase.
authors.affiliation: UETMIS et CRCHUS, Hôtel-Dieu, CHUS, 580, rue Bowen-Sud, J1G 2E8, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada. Electronic address: tpoder.chus@ssss.gouv.qc.ca.
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Poder
authors.affiliation: Direction interdisciplinaire des services cliniques, hôpital Fleurimont, CHUS, 3001, 12(e), avenue Nord, J1H 5N4, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Larivière
mesh_terms: D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007239:Infections; D001239:Inhalation; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D036801:Parturition; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water
keywords: Accouchement; Birth; Eau; Immersion; Revue systématique; Systematic review; Water