For many years, hydrotherapy has been used as a method for reducing pain during
childbirth. However, recently questions have arisen as to whether the benefits associated with
hydrotherapy can be backed by scientific study. Some of these benefits include decreased pain,
decreased anxiety, lowered risk of having an episiotomy, reduction in the total time of labor, and the safety as a more conventional birth.

Hydrotherapy is theorized to be able to reduce pain through three methods: heat,
buoyancy, and massage. Heat increases the body’s temperature causing the blood vessels to
dilate. This can increase circulation and decrease a person’s blood pressure. The massage part of
hydrotherapy stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers. Researchers who have studied this theory have obtained conflicting results on whether or not it is true. A study, published in 2001, states that hydrotherapy not only has no effect on pain, but also claims there are other studies that have drawn this same conclusions (Eckert, K., Turnbull, D., & MacLennan, A., 2001, 92). However two other studies that have been done support the theory that hydrotherapy reduces pain. The first study found that a woman’s pain level is significantly reduced after 15 min and after 60 min of bathing (Benfield, R.D., Herman, J., Katz, V.L., Wilson, S.P., & Davis, J.M., 2001, 64). The second study concluded that hydrotherapy can reduce a woman’s need for additional pain medications. It found that only 1.3% of women laboring in water required pain medications. While 57% of women who were not receiving hydrotherapy requested pain medications (Otigbah, C.M., Dhanjal, M.K., Harmsworth, G., & Chard, T., 2000, 17).

A person’s anxiety level is directly related to their pain level. One study showed that
anxiety levels decrease significantly after 15 min. of bathing (Otigbah, C.M., Dhanjal, M.K.,
Harmsworth, G., & Chard, T., 2000, 64). As anxiety levels fall, the pain the person experiences decreases significantly.

Hydrotherapy has also been proven to decrease the risk of having an episiotomy. This is
supported by two studies. The first study was conducted in Switzerland. It looked at 5,900
vaginal births. Out of these 5,900, 2,000 delivered in the water. Of those who birthed in bed,
35.4% of them received an episiotomy. Of those who birthed in the water, only 12.8%
received episiotomies (http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/connecticut/ ECTwaterbirth.htm). The second study was conducted in the Untied States and included the
results of 301 women. This study concluded that women who birth in water were five times less
likely to have an episiotomy than women who delivered in bed (Otigbah, C.M., Dhanjal, M.K.,
Harmsworth, G., & Chard, T., 2000, 18). Researchers believe this occurs because the water helps
the perineum to become more elastic, therefore reducing its risk of tearing.
It is uncertain whether hydrotherapy can reduce the length of labor. Most researchers
conducting studies to prove this cannot draw any concrete conclusion. However, one study did
report a finding. It found that hydrotherapy does indeed decrease the length of labor. Yet, this
benefit was confined only to women who were birthing their first child (Otigbah, C.M., Dhanjal,
M.K., Harmsworth, G., & Chard, T., 2000, 17).

Many women considering hydrotherapy are concerned with the risk of infection and
suffocation of the fetus as a result of this treatment. All studies, however, state that there is no
greater risk to deliver a baby in water than to deliver a baby by a more conventional method.
(Otigbah, C.M., Dhanjal, M.K., Harmsworth, G., &Chard, T., 2000. 18) (Ekert, K., Turnbull, D.,
& MacLennan, A., 2001, 92)

Before considering using hydrotherapy, certain criteria must be met: the pregnancy must
be a low risk pregnancy, the fetus must be at least 37 weeks of gestation, the fetal heart rate must
remain normal, the baby cannot be in the breech position, and the mother must be in good health with no communicable diseases. Although a mother can deliver while in the tub, she must get out of the water to deliver her placenta. It is important for a woman receiving hydrotherapy to drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration.

Hydrotherapy has been proven to have beneficial effects for the mother with minimal risks.
However, every mother needs to decide for herself, with the help of her partner, whether
hydrotherapy is right for her.