[Insert table two near here]
Overall, the median length of WWI was 40 minutes (IQR: 15, 75). The
median length of WWI for the WWI-only group (gave birth outside of
water) was 45 minutes (IQR: 10, 72). The median length of WWI for the
water birth group was 40 minutes (IQR: 15, 78.25).
Our primary outcome was admission to the neonatal unit (NNU). There was
a significant association between the type of birth (land vs water/WWI)
and NNU admissions (p=0.022) whereby a higher proportion of land births
were admitted to NNU compared to water/WWI births (11.2% vs 7.3%). A
sub-analysis, where instrumental births and those that had regional
analgesia were removed, showed no significant association between the
type of birth (land vs water/WWI) and NNU admissions (p=0.774; 6.8% vs
6.3% for land vs water/WWI, respectively) occurred. No babies who
underwent WWI/waterbirth required NICU admission for water inhalation or
near drowning. There were no intrapartum deaths in any groups.
Differences were seen between groups for other outcome variables, with
land births more likely to result in maternal pyrexia and suspected
neonatal infection treated with prophylactic antibiotics. See table 3
for full summary.