Re: [ozmidwifery] hep c

[Andrea Quanchi]

theoretically hep c will be released into the water with woman's body fluids and would be a risk to anyone who put their hands etc into the water ( midwife, partner and baby included). Viruses are very unstable outside the human body but the potential risk would be there.  I would consider the risk to the baby would be less than vaginal birth as it is getting bathed as it is being born and concentrated maternal body fluids are being washed off but it is all theoretical.  If the midwife had those long gloves that ensured no water entered the gloves then there should not be a problem. Andrea On 22/10/2006, at 7:07 AM, Kathy Lynch wrote: Can anyone give me the rationale why an otherwise healthy woman with hep c shouldn’t birth in water? Kathy