What does ACOG say regarding water births?
ACOG’s Committee on Obstetric Practice addressed the issue of warm-water immersion for laboring women and for delivery of infants. The Committee felt that there are insufficient data, especially concerning rates of infection, to render an opinion on whether warm-water immersion is a safe and appropriate birthing alternative. The Committee also felt that this procedure should be performed only if the facility can be compliant with OSHA standards regarding infection. See related concerns below regarding home births.
