{"id":44446,"date":"2014-07-01T12:17:54","date_gmt":"2014-07-01T12:17:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=e0b80692a05fa9c7e315ad6998424cf6"},"modified":"2014-07-01T12:17:54","modified_gmt":"2014-07-01T12:17:54","slug":"press-release-public-health-england-advice-on-home-birthing-pools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=44446","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Public Health England advice on home birthing pools"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On 17 June 2014 Public Health England (PHE<\/abbr>) and NHS England temporarily advised against the home use of birthing pools with built-in heaters and recirculation pumps, potentially filled up to 2 weeks in advance of the birth. This followed a case of Legionnaires\u2019 disease identified in a baby born in this specific type of birthing pool at home.<\/p>\n

The temporary advice was issued as a precautionary measure while further investigations were carried out into the provision of these pools by a number of companies, including the advice given by the companies on pool filling and on controlling risks from exposure to legionella.<\/p>\n

Further investigations have been carried out and based on an assessment of the available evidence, PHE<\/abbr> has now confirmed the provisional advice issued on 17 June 2014. <\/p>\n

This means that PHE<\/abbr> recommends that heated birthing pools (incorporating both a re-circulation pump and heater), filled in advance of labour, should no longer used for labour or birth, in the home setting. <\/p>\n

The majority of birthing pools used at home are filled from domestic hot water systems at the time of labour – these birthing pools do not pose the same risk and are excluded from this alert, as long as pumps are used solely to empty the pool and not for recirculation of warm water.<\/p>\n

Professor Nick Phin, PHE<\/abbr>\u2019s head of Legionnaires\u2019 disease, said: <\/p>\n

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Further investigation into this incident has confirmed that the type of legionella bacteria found in the birthing pool is the same strain which caused the baby to become ill with Legionnaires\u2019 disease.<\/p>\n

As part of the investigation, PHE<\/abbr> has been working with local authorities to investigate the provision of these pools by a number of companies, including the advice given by the companies on pool filling and on controlling risks from exposure to legionella.<\/p>\n

This final recommendation is based on the difficulty, in the home setting, of preventing legionella growth in re-circulated warm water over a period of days or weeks. For this reason, PHE<\/abbr> has confirmed its earlier precautionary advice and is recommending that this type of pre-filled, heated birthing pool is no longer used at all at home.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Louise Silverton director for midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives, said: <\/p>\n

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Women planning birth at home using a traditional pool that is filled when the woman is in labour or using a fixed pool in an NHS unit are not affected by this alert and should not be concerned. Birthing pools in hospitals are subject to stringent infection control procedures and monitoring. Home birthing pools filled during labour come with disposable liners and are only in place for a relatively short time period, reducing opportunity for bacterial growth.<\/p>\n

Any women with concerns about using home birthing pools should contact their midwife or local maternity unit.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Ends<\/h3>\n

Notes to editors<\/h2>\n