[The influence of water immersion on the course of first stage of parturition in primiparous women].

The Aim: To find whether, and if so to which degree, water immersion may influence the duration of the first stage of labour and to what extent progression of delivery depends on the timing of immersion.

Material And Methods: The analysis was conducted for 205 deliveries including 100 in the control group. The following parameters were measured: 1. degree in gaping of the external opening of the uterine cervix during immersion in water; 2. time elapsed between the end of immersion and full gaping of the uterine cervix, 3. course of uterine contraction activity during and after the immersion in water.

Results: It was observed that the immersion in water applied to primiparae at any stage of labour, beginning from the 2-cm gaping of the external opening of the uterine cervix, decreased significantly the duration of parturition in comparison to those delivered in a traditional way. In no case the water immersion caused disturbances in the contraction activity of the uterus, instead, it raised both the amplitude and frequency of uterine contractions in a degree proportional to the uterine cervix gaping.

Conclusions: In the authors' opinion the optimal timing for the application of water immersion in the primiparae is determined by a 3-cm gaping of the uterine cervix. An earlier bath at the 2-cm uterine cervix gaping also accelerated the labour but required either repeating of the immersion or a correction of weakened uterine contraction activity by oxytocin.