KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 ― Guidelines on water births will be ready in three weeks’ time, the Health Ministry said today after an uproar over the government’s temporary ban on the birthing method.

Health deputy director-general Datuk Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai said the meeting between his ministry and obstetricians and gynaecologists from private hospitals last Friday had gone well and that representatives from both sides were in the midst of fine-tuning the guidelines for water births.

"We have also looked at guidelines from other parts of the world such as United Kingdom and brought this to the table of discussion last Friday,” Dr Jeyaindran told Malay Mail Online when contacted.

"We discussed the feasibility of implementing international guidelines in Malaysia without compromising the safety of mothers and babies. So we are expecting for the guidelines to be ready in two to three weeks time,” he added.

Earlier today, heads of the obstetricians and gynaecologists departments from Shah Alam Hospital and Sungai Buloh Hospital, Dr Hamidah Omar and Dr Norashikin Abdul Fuad, were interviewed by TV AlHijrah on water births.

Both doctors were asked on the "Assalamualaikum” programme to explain about the pros and cons of water births.

Saying they have no expertise in performing water births, both doctors told the interviewers that they were informed by some mothers that it was easier to give birth that way.

"Yes, some mothers have told me it is easier to perform water births but there are complications for both the mother and child in doing so,” Dr Hamidah said.

Dr Norashikin said the water could be contaminated and, thus, lead to further complications.

"In fact, whether it is a normal or caesarean delivery, there are complications but the onus is on the mothers to understand what they are getting themselves into and not simply jump to an option based on hearsay,” she said.

Both doctors then urged parents to remain calm until guidelines by the ministry are out, stressing that the ministry would never compromise on matters pertaining to the life of a person.

The Health Ministry’s ban on water births at private hospitals announced earlier this month had been met with both support and disagreement from several parties.

Proponents of the method have argued that a ban would only lead to dangerous unassisted childbirths.

Water birth is the process of giving birth in a tub of water, and supporters argue that it is a gentler process for the child.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has reportedly said that a meeting in 2013 with medical experts on water births found that there was no significant benefit for those who choose that option, but instead may possibly increase complications during labour.