<P> Water birth offers perineal support for a birthing mother, which decreases the risk of tearing and reduces the use of episiotomy . A Cochrane Review found that immersion during the first stage of childbirth reduces the use of epidurals, though it could not reach any other conclusions for other stages of labor or other outcomes and did not have enough information to make any conclusions on full water birth . It did not find evidence of increased adverse effects for immersion during the first stages of labor . </P> <P> A 2014 review reported that it has been found that water immersion during the first stage of labor can reduce the length of the first stage, reduce labor pain, and the use of epidural / spinal analgesia . It is also associated with a lower rate of cesarean delivery and stress urinary incontinence symptoms 42 days after delivery . The review reported that immersion during labor did not appear to increase the rate of infections for the mother or the baby, and APGAR scores for the baby were similar to that of conventional births . </P> <P> The British Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives issued a joint statement supporting water birth for healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies but does not recommend it in cases of complications . </P> <P> In a 2005 commentary, the Committee on Fetus and Newborn of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released an analysis of the scientific literature regarding underwater births . The Committee noted several positive studies for underwater birth but went on to criticize them for lacking proper scientific controls, a significant number of infant deaths and diseases, and the general lack of information to support the use of water births . The paper concluded: </P>

What is one of the risks associated with the water birthing technique