# Does dietary total antioxidant capacity relate to oxidative stress levels in water immersion during labor? A case-control study

## TL;DR

This study found that water immersion during labor and higher dietary antioxidant intake are linked to lower oxidative stress levels in mothers and newborns.

## Contribution

The study establishes a novel association between dietary antioxidant capacity and reduced oxidative stress during water immersion labor.

## Key findings

- Women in water immersion labor had lower oxidative stress levels in maternal and neonatal samples.
- Dietary antioxidant capacity was negatively correlated with oxidative stress levels.
- Vitamin C and antioxidant intake were higher in the water immersion group.

## Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of water immersion during the first stage of labor on maternal and neonatal oxidative stress and the association between serum and dietary total antioxidant capacity.

Women were divided into two groups: those immersed in water during the first stage of labor (n=30) and those who had conventional birth (n=33). Total oxidative stress and total antioxidant status levels were examined in antepartum and postpartum maternal serum and neonatal cord blood samples. Dietary total antioxidant capacity was determined by the food frequency questionnaire.

Vitamin C and dietary total antioxidant capacity consumption were found to be higher in the water immersion group (106.92 mg/day and 18.94 mmol/gün, respectively) than the conventional birth group (92.69 mg/day and 15.99 mmol/gün, respectively) (p<0.05). Women immersed in water during the first stage of labor had lower total oxidative stress levels in antepartum and postpartum maternal serum and neonatal cord blood samples than those who had conventional birth (5.43±2.42 mmol/L and 5.59±3.35 mmol/L vs. 8.58±5.53 mmol/L and 12.68±16.58 mmol/L; p<0.05). Dietary total antioxidant capacity was found to be negatively correlated with total oxidative stress levels in antepartum and postpartum maternal serum and neonatal cord blood samples (p=0.012, p=0.047, p=0.035, and p<0.05).

Women immersed in water during the first stage of labor had lower total oxidative stress levels in their postnatal maternal serum and neonatal cord blood samples and dietary total antioxidant capacity was also a factor associated with low total oxidative stress levels.