Waterbirth may reduce pain meds and shorten labor, study finds
NCT ID NCT05175599
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether giving birth in water (waterbirth) is better than a traditional land birth for low-risk, healthy women. Researchers compared pain medication use, labor length, breastfeeding rates, and satisfaction between the two groups. The goal was to see if waterbirth offers benefits without increasing risks.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
186 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jan 2022
- Finished
-
Dec 2023
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Prenatal low-risk, healthy, adult women (greater than or equal to 18 years of age), including: 1. Able to speak and understand English 2. Women with a singleton gestation 3. Able to ambulate with no mobility restrictions (i.e., no difficulty getting from seated to standing) 4. Less than class III obesity (BMI \<40kg/m squared) at initiation of prenatal care 5. No active infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, herpes simplex virus outbreak (on prophylaxis acceptable), group B strep positive is acceptable 6. No pre-existing medical conditions such as: heart disease, uncontrolled asthma, diabetes of any type, chronic hypertension, or other condition that requires continuous observation and/or activity restrictions 7. No high-risk pregnancy conditions: including preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, preterm gestation, multiple gestation, substance abuse, placental abruption or other unexplained vaginal bleeding, previous cesarean section, suspected fetal macrosomia (\>4500gm) or intrauterine growth restrictions (\<10th percentile), or other condition that requires continuous observation and/or activity restrictions Labor inclusion criteria: 8. Greater than 37 weeks and less than 42 completed weeks gestation in vertex presentation 9. Not hypertensive or febrile (two blood pressures 140/90 four hours apart; two fevers of over 100.4 one hour apart) 10. Category 1 fetal heart tones (obtained on a 20-minute admission external fetal monitor strip) 11. Amniotic sac may be intact or ruptured. If ruptured, amniotic fluid must be clear. Exclusion Criteria: * Women will be excluded from the study if they do not meet above inclusion criteria or they will be further excluded under the following circumstances: 1. Known need for cesarean section 2. Participant may be excluded from the study at any time at the discretion of the birth attendant (reason for study exclusion will be documented but will remain in the study group previously selected based on intention to treat).
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Pregnancy related are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Aurora Sinai Medical Center
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can Mom's workout shape Baby's heart health?
- Can a TB infection leave a mark on the placenta?
- Can a newer hepatitis b drug protect babies while being gentler on their bones?
- Can virtual mindfulness groups support pregnant individuals at risk?
- Can surveillance catch birth defects early in HIV-Affected pregnancies?
- Could a smartphone program ease pregnancy stress?