Heated birthing pools should not be used for home births because of the high risk of infection, English regulators have said.
A new study reveals high rates of contamination with the Legionnaire’s disease bacteria, Legionella, following an alert issued last month.
The pools are kept warm in readiness for birth and use recirculated water and heaters.
But Public Health England said the latest findings raised "serious concerns" about their safety when used in homes.
The organisation revealed the findings of tests on six pools which were returned to suppliers following the alert in June.
This found four contaminated with Legionella and three contaminated with other organisms.
The findings have been published in Eurosurveillance.
Professor Nick Phin, from Public Health England, said pools could be filled with domestic hot water at the onset of labour – but pumps should not be used.
He said: "These latest results have strengthened already serious concerns about the safety of heated birthing pools in the home setting and the potential for contamination from a number of organisms which are recognised causes of infection, and pose particular risks to new born babies.
"Public Health England will review this recommendation if evidence is provided of a safe system for use in the home. However at this point in time, it appears unlikely that hired-out, re-used, heated pools can be made safe to use for labour or birth in the home setting."
The Royal College of Midwives said midwives could advise pregnant women about what kind of pools were safe.
Louise Silverton, of the college, said: "Women planning birth at home using a traditional pool that is filled when the woman is in labour or using a fixed pool in an NHS unit are not affected by this alert and should not be concerned. Birthing pools in hospitals are subject to stringent infection control procedures and monitoring.
"Home birthing pools filled during labour come with disposable liners and are only in place for a relatively short time period, reducing opportunity for bacterial growth."
Eurosurveillance 24 July 2014
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