Objective: We examined the obstetric outcomes of low-risk labors at the 'Japanese tatami' mat compared with Western-style delivery room.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 201 deliveries at the 'Japanese tatami' delivery room and 360 deliveries at the standard Western-style delivery room.
Results: There were no measurable differences in the duration of labor, the incidence of perineal laceration, total maternal blood loss and the incidence of low Apgar score and umbilical artery pH between the two groups.
Conclusions: We found no evidence that the Japanese room is unsafe for low-risk infants and mothers in comparison with the standard Western-style delivery room.