Abstract: Objective:To assess the analgesic effect of water birth and its safety for the mother and the newborn.Methods:Ninety-eight pregnant women who delivered under water were enrolled in the water birth group and 96 pregnant women who delivered vaginally acted as control.The subjective pain intensity score was evaluated by the questionnaires.The birth process,labor pain,intrapartum hemorrhage,perineal tears of the parturients and incidence of neonatal asphyxia were compared between the two groups.Results:The intensity of labor pain in the water birth group was significantly decreased after the parturient women got into water(P0.01).No episiotomy occurred in the water birth group,and the episiotomy rate in the control group was 66.67%;the difference was not significant between the two groups(P0.01).There was obvious difference between the two groups in the length of the first stage of labor(P0.01),but no significant difference in the second and third stage of labor,blood loss,perineal laceration,postpartum hemorrhage or neonatal asphyxia(P0.05).Conclusions:Water birth can relieve labor pain and reduce perineal trauma;it is safe for the mother and the newborn.