Case report of neonatal near drowning associated with underwater birth

Water immersion of labouring women during the first stage and second stage of labour significantly reduces analgesia requirements and increases women's reported satisfaction with pushing, without adversely affecting labour duration, operative delivery rates, or foetal wellbeing. However, immersion during the third stage of labour is associated with potential serious complications that are not seen with land-based birth. Here, we present a case report of a baby born via water birth. The report illustrates increased risk of significant perinatal morbidity associated with water birth.