Midwife Association: "Good that women are offered different ways of giving birth"

Compared to a few years ago, more and more childbirth clinics offer water births, according to a survey conducted by SVT News. Although the BB receptions in question see increased demand among women who want to give birth in water, the phenomenon of water birth is still uncommon in Sweden.

Exactly how many women who give birth in water cannot be answered, says Mia Ahlberg, chair of the Swedish Midwives Association.

- There is no registration of water births in our quality registers, nor do we have a survey of which businesses offer it. Therefore, I cannot answer whether it has increased or decreased, she says.

Do you have any recommendations regarding water birth?

- We have not made any recommendation, our attitude is the same as in other issues - it is important that the method should be rooted in the professional competence, it must be evidence-based and secure, says Mia Ahlberg.

Showing potential risks to the child in the event of a water birth is difficult, says Mia Ahlberg, as it is so uncommon with complications in the child.

- You have to do huge studies to prove it, and it is basically impossible to do it. What we know within the midwife corps so far today is that the risk is minimal for the child, provided that it is handled correctly and has the competence to carry out a water birth, says Mia Ahlberg.

Although the association does not have any direct recommendations, Mia Ahlberg says that it is up to each clinic to decide whether to offer water births, and that they welcome those who do.

- We are positive that we can offer women different ways of giving birth that are safe and where the midwives can perform it.