Comparison 2.

Immersion in water versus no immersion during second stage of labour

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Experience of moderate to severe pain	1		Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.1 Ordinal description as moderate to severe	1	117	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.06 [0.73, 1.53]
1.2 Labour Agentry scale	0	0	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.3 Line scale	0	0	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2 Satisfied with labour	1		Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.1 Labour and delivery satisfaction index	0	0	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.2 Little or not satisfied with coping experience	1	117	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.24 [0.07, 0.80]
3 Does not wish to use bath next delivery	1	117	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.57 [0.22, 1.47]
4 Perineal trauma after vaginal birth	2		Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
4.1 Episiotomy	2	179	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.75 [0.35, 1.60]
4.2 Second-degree tear	2	179	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.21 [0.65, 2.24]
4.3 Third- or fourth-degree tears	1	60	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.54 [0.07, 36.11]
5 Duration of second stage (minutes)	3	286	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	−1.24 [−8.05, 5.56]
6 Instrumental/surgical delivery	3		Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
6.1 Assisted vaginal deliveries	2	180	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.73 [0.21, 2.54]
6.2 Caesarean section	2	180	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.33 [0.07, 1.52]
6.3 Any operative versus normal birth	1	106	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.04 [0.00, 0.72]
7 Postpartum haemorrhage more than 500 ml	1	120	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.14 [0.01, 2.71]
8 Presence of meconium-stained liquor	2	180	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.32 [0.63, 2.80]
9 Apgar score less than seven (five minutes)	1	119	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	4.92 [0.24, 100.31]
10 Apgar less than eight at five minutes	1	60	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.54 [0.07, 36.11]
11 Neonate temperature	1		Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
11.1 Temperature less than 36.2 degrees C at birth	1	109	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.98 [0.30, 3.20]
11.2 Temperature greater than 37.5 degrees C at birth	1	109	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.62 [0.73, 9.35]
11.3 Temperature greater 37.8 degrees C as an indicator for infection	0	0	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12 Umbilical artery pH less than 7.20	1	116	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.89 [0.45, 1.75]
13 Cord arterial pH	1	48	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14 Admission to neonatal intensive care unit	2	180	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.79 [0.25, 2.49]
15 Perinatal deaths	1	120	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	3.0 [0.12, 72.20]
16 Satisfaction with labour and birth on scale of 0-6 where 0 is not at all satisfied	1	60	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.03 [−0.64, 0.70]
17 Maternal temperature	1	60	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.20 [−0.18, 0.58]
18 Breastfeeding	1	60	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.86 [0.69, 1.08]
19 Antibiotics given to neonate	1	60	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.5 [0.17, 13.52]
20 Positive neonatal swab of ear, mouth or umbilicus	1	154	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.89 [0.90, 3.96]
21 Neonatal gestational age at birth in days	2	180	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	−1.0 [−5.13, 3.13]