Water birth: one birthing center's observations.

This paper discusses the water birth experiences of women who delivered at The Family Birthing Center of Upland, California, from February, 1985 to June 1, 1989. Of the 831 who used warm water immersion during their labor, 483 gave birth in the water with good Apgar scores; and there was only one minor maternal infection. These results clearly suggest that water birth--with certain precautions--is not only a desirable alternative for many women, but also a safe and positive intrapartum intervention.