Cardiff University midwifery team wins coveted award for research into water births

A Cardiff University midwifery team has won a coveted award for research into water births.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has awarded the Cardiff University POOL study team for their groundbreaking research into the safety of water births, setting a new benchmark for research in the area.

More than 73,000 women took part in the study making it one of the largest global studies of water births, which has provided strong evidence supporting the safety and efficiency of water births when conducted by NHS midwives.

The research offers a substantial contribution to the knowledge surrounding maternity care and reinforces that water births are a safe option when managed by healthcare professionals.

The RCM awards ceremony took place in London on the 18th October. At the ceremony, Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the RCM said: “The findings will form the basis of the knowledge around safety in the UK for many years to come, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have already indicated the results of the study will inform future recommendations on water birth.

“It is vital the findings are widely disseminated to midwives, obstetricians, neonatologists, parents, commissioners and providers of care. As such, the team has worked with its partners to develop freely available online resources which will make the study findings accessible to all midwives and expectant parents.”

The award, which is sponsored by Vitabiotics Pregnacare, honours and recognises midwifery researchers who have advanced maternity care and knowledge of midwifery for the benefit of women, families, students, midwives and other maternity professionals.

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Susanne Bisinotto from Vitabiotics Pregnacare said: “The POOL study team has raised the bar for midwifery research with their groundbreaking work on water births. Their findings not only improve the safety and wellbeing of mothers and babies, but also underscore the vital importance of evidence-based research in advancing maternity care.

“Pregnacare is dedicated to supporting the health and safety of new mums and their babies, and we are honoured to sponsor this award, celebrating such significant contributions to midwifery practice.”

Featured image credit: The Royal College of Midwives