Comparing patient satisfaction between water and land births

Patient Satisfaction With Physiological Childbirth in Water or on Land a Prospective Study at the Tourcoing Hospital Maternity Unit

Tourcoing Hospital · NCT06441370

This study looks at how satisfied women are with their birth experience in water compared to giving birth on land to see which option they prefer.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment1200 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorTourcoing Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Tourcoing, Hauts-de-France)
Trial IDNCT06441370 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to assess and compare the satisfaction levels and psychological states of women who choose to give birth in water versus those who opt for land birth. Conducted at a tertiary maternity unit in France, the study will involve women who meet specific eligibility criteria, including spontaneous labor and cephalic presentation. By evaluating the experiences of these women, the study seeks to demonstrate the benefits of water birth and support its inclusion in healthcare offerings.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are women who are at least 37 weeks pregnant, in spontaneous labor, and wish to have a physiological delivery.

Not a fit: Patients with certain medical conditions or complications, such as a history of delivery hemorrhage or maternal pathologies, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide evidence supporting the use of water birth as a beneficial option for women during labor.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on water birth, this specific approach focusing on patient satisfaction in a French context may provide novel insights.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Major patient
* Social security beneficiary
* Presence of a companion
* Delivery greater than or equal to 37 weeks of amenorhoea
* Spontaneous labor
* Cephalic presentation
* Physiological delivery by woman's choice according to 2017 HAS criteria (French recommendations)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient under court protection
* Patient under guardianship or curatorship
* Placement of an epidural
* Language barrier
* Unexpected delivery (unwanted by the woman)
* Scarred uterus
* Meconium fluid
* Maternal pathologies: epilepsy, MS (depending on neurological opinion), diabetes (types 1 and 2), herpes infection, HIV, HBV, HCV
* History of delivery hemorrhage \> 1L
* History of shoulder dystocia/clavicle fracture
* Metrorrhagia
* Administration of nalbuphine within 2 hours of birth.

Where this trial is running

Tourcoing, Hauts-de-France

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Water Birth

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.