Non-pharmacological pain relief in labour: use of the pool in Raigmore hospital

Since 1997 women in a consultant led unit in Raigmore hospital Inverness have had access to a purpose designed pool for labour and birth. In 12 years over 1000 women have used the pool and midwives have gained more experience and confidence in its use for labour and birth.
However in 2009 for the first time in 9 years the number of women used the pool declined. This has occurred at a time when national initiatives exist to promote the use of immersion in water, Keeping Childbirth Natural and Dynamic (KCND) (NHSQIS 2009)offers those caring for women with a range of non-pharmacological pain relief, and if there is slow progress or no progress in labour to consider immersion in water.
This presentation will describe the on-going evaluation of the pool and from the analysis of the existing data, review how expectations of KCND(NHS QIS 2009)and the Royal College of Midwives and Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG/RCM 2006) have been met with regard to the pool in Raigmore hospital.
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (2009) Pathways for Maternity care. Available at http:www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/4517.html last accessed 22nd January 2010.
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist/Royal College of Midwives (20016) Immersion in water during labour and birth. Joint statement1. Available at www.rocg.org.uk last accessed 22nd January 2010