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HSE National Clinical Guideline

National Clinical Guideline Care of Women Using a Birthing Pool for Labour and/or Birth


Topic: Using a birthing pool for labour and/or birth
Document Owner: National Clinical Lead for Guideline Development in Maternity and Gynaecology Services
National Group: Guideline Development Programme, National Women and Infants Health Programme
Effective From: 01 May 2026
Evidence-based recommendations for the care and management of women requesting to use a birthing pool for labour and/or birth, promoting a standardised approach nationally across all maternity settings, including the home birth setting.
National Clinical Guideline Care of Women Using a Birthing Pool for Labour and/or Birth
PDF, 1.98MB

This national guideline offers comprehensive, evidence-based standards for the care of women using a birthing pool during labour and/or birth, detailing eligibility criteria, assessment, monitoring, and specific requirements for water depth, temperature, and maternal hydration to optimise safety and comfort. It further outlines infection-prevention measures, governance, implementation, audit, and education strategies, promoting safe, trauma-informed, midwifery-led practice, shared decision-making, and consistent, auditable care across Irish maternity services.

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