There has been a long interest in water as a pain relief strategy, and as a place to give birth. The publication of the recent ‘POOL’ Study, led by colleagues in Cardiff alongside 26 NHS sites, investigated the safety of waterbirth for mothers and babies, and adds to the research supporting its use. In this hour, we are delighted to be joined by renowned international waterbirth midwife expert Dianne Garland, who will explore further the implications of the POOL study for midwives and student midwives in the UK, and also examine the wider use of water in the rest of the world, highlighting information and skills we need when supporting a woman who chooses a waterbirth, and suggesting further research in the whole area.

Hosted by:

Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert; Host and Curator, Maternity and Midwifery Festivals/Midwifery Hour, Editor, Mayes Midwifery

Contribution from:

Dianne Garland, Midwifery Consultant and Author of 'Waterbirth - an attitude to care'

Biography

Dianne Garland SRN RM ADM PGCEA MSc

Qualified as a midwife in 1983,her waterbirth teaching/research has taken her all over the world, from Australia, China, United States and India. Her book “Revisiting waterbirth – an attitude to care” was published 2017.

Dianne works as an expert witness, University lecturer and maintains her clinical skills on a midwife led / consultant unit in Kent. Dianne has various roles including professional advisor in Chinese and Indian birth centres. After launching her company in 2005 www.midwifeexpert.com. her roles have expanded in the UK and abroad.

In 2018 Dianne joined the Maternity and Midwifery Forum advisory panel.

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