The Dangers of Water Births Not Worth the Risk

In April 2014, water births made national headlines when a joint Opinion Statement from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) denounced the practice. Water birth involves a mother giving birth in a tub of warm water. This practice is often used as an alternative method for pain relief.

However, this natural method for pain relief during labor and delivery does not come without dangers and risks. In fact, the AAP and ACOG have squarely criticized this type of labor and delivery as dangerous with no demonstrable benefit and many risks for the baby. The two organizations issued a joint opinion in April 2014 formally admonishing water births and reiterating that it should not be performed except as an “experiment” as part of an RCT.

Water Births Still Offered at Hospitals

Despite such caveats from medical authorities, both water labor and water births are becoming more and more popular. Many hospitals throughout the country continue to offer and perform water births, and not as part of an RCT. Oregon is one of several states with hospitals that continue to offer this type of labor and delivery.

These hospitals are disregarding the firm criticism by the ACOG and AAP, and instead embracing the promotion of water births by midwives and a very small cadre of physicians. Some believe that these midwives and doctors base their support of water births on nonsensical and nonscientific “articles” written by midwives.

Water Birth Dangers Are Real

The bottom line is that regardless of who is right, water births do pose dangers. In fact, many lawsuits have been filed seeking relief from serious birth injuries resulting from water births, including cerebral palsy. If your child suffered complications as a result of a water birth, you should immediately consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney as you may be entitled to compensation.

Legal Protection For Medical Malpractice

When a physician provides substandard care that results in injuries or death, the patient should seek the help of an experienced New York medical malpractice attorney to protect their legal rights.

At Gersowitz, Libo & Korek, P.C., our attorneys understand the ramifications of medical negligence on the patient and their family members. We are aggressive in getting our clients the full extent of monetary compensation they are entitled to for the injuries they have suffered.

Call Us

If you or a loved one was injured due to the negligent actions of a healthcare professional and would like to consult with an experienced New York medical malpractice attorney, please call Gersowitz, Libo & Korek, P.C. at 1-800-529-9997.