STAYING IN CONTROL - WOMENS EXPERIENCES OF LABOR IN WATER

Aim: to examine women's attempts at control during labour in water. De sign: an exploratory design consisting of tape-recorded, in-depth inte rviews using the grounded theory approach. Setting: a medium sized tow n in the south of England, The data were collected in the maternity un it of a local general hospital set in a semi-rural location. Participa nts: nine women who had chosen to spend their labour process in water. The participants selected had experienced a normal pregnancy and give n birth to a healthy baby at term. Findings: labour in water was seen by all but one of the participants as beneficial, particularly as they felt that this gave them more control over the process. They valued t heir own involvement in determining the outcome of their care. The sup port of the midwife in making decisions was seen as necessary to remai n in control. Conclusions: labour in water was a positive experience f or this group of healthy women. The feeling of freedom to make decisio ns, however, was balanced with a wish for the support of the midwife.