Clinical condition of newborns from water birth at the Perinatology Clinic, Institute Of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Medical University in Łódź, in the years 1996-2001

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the paper was the estimation of the babies from the water births. DESIGN: The comparison of newborns from water births to neonates from conventional deliveries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mature babies, who were born in the Clinics of Perinatology in the Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Medical University in ?ód?, in the years 1996-2001. Neonates whose mothers were living in ?ód? district were taken into consideration and datas were gained from the medical documentation. RESULTS: Women who delivered in water were mainly intellectual and primiparas. Among the newborns from water births many of them got from 8 to 10 points by Apgar score (92.9%), and only 7.1% were estimated for 6 to 7 points. Birth weight in babies from water deliveries varied from 2300 grams to 4050 grams and the majority (59.5%) was composed of newborns weighting 3500 grams or more. Birth weight from 2500 grams to 3499 grams referred to 33.3% of the babies. In the control group from conventional deliveries, estimation by Apgar score was similar, but the body mass equal or higher than 3500 grams was seen only in 19.7% and the majority--80.3% was composed of babies with lower birth weight (2500 g-3499 g). The clinical condition of all the newborns delivered in water was good; they were healthy and only one baby suffered from inborn pneumonia, and another one from diaper dermatitis. There were no perinatal traumas in analysed babies. CONCLUSION: Taking into consideration such parameters as high Apgar score estimation, good clinical condition and absence of traumas, water delivery is to be judged as the advantageous one for newborns.