Help! I need Birth Tub Weight/Safety Facts!

[Thefrawg]

I am having a hospital birth in a small hospital and would like to bring in a birth tub. Although the staff is comfortable with this, the hospital administrator is balking because of the weight issue. How does he know that the weight of the birth tub won't collapse the floor? It is an older, smaller hospital and he doesn't want to risk it.

OK, he may be crazy, but I have the impression that he is very rational and will be persuaded by facts and such. The problem is I can't find any!!!! I mean, how heavy can they be compared to hospital equipment anyway??

Can anyone help me? I need something I can print out to show the hospital in order to make them comfortable with this scenario.

Thanks a bunch!!!

[dogmom327]

I have a La Bassine. I think it holds 100 gallons of water. At 7 lbs. per gallon that's about 700 lbs. plus your weight and the weight of anyone hanging around the pool. I think you could argue that many people weigh 150-200 lbs therefore the pool is equivalent to 3-5 adults standing in one place. If their floors won't hold that, I think you've got bigger problems

[jenneology]

Lol. Love that logic, dogmom. Sounds good to me!

[Thefrawg]

Exactly my point! It can't be that big of a deal. But I need something "official" I think to make my case. I am not sure I am that persuasive in person!

Does anyone know of any resources where I can print out something???

[dogmom327]

Nothing official but you could just put together a nice document with the math.

[SalmonBayDoula]

It can't possibly be as heavy as a "fancy" labor and delivery bed with a woman in it, or even possibly her husband who is in it for support.

Or the weight of the regular hospital tubs filled with water, and a laboring woman and her partner.

Honestly, they are being ridiculous!

Sharon

[Defenestrator]

Architect husband says that most buildings are designed to hold at least 40 lbs. per square foot. I think that the la bassine is about 30 square feet, meaning that the space under it should be able to hold 1200 lbs.

Also, there is short-term stress and long-term stress. The floors should be able to handle quite a lot in the short term, say, 4 football players in a group hug, but might be stressed by those same 4 football players becoming a permanent fixture, like, say, a large, heavy hospital bed.

[Emmeline II]

Contact your supplier or the manufacturer; when I was looking at tubs this type of question was in the FAQ section of their website. You can also search waterbirth promotion sites.

[katmann]

Any chance you could place the tub on the first floor?

[dogmom327]

This came to me at 2 am while nursing DS

Could you contact Waterbirth International? I don't know for sure if they are still around but part of their mission is to help hospitals be more accepting so I'll bet they have something official.

ETA: Looks like they are still around: http://www.waterbirth.org/mc/page.do

[Thefrawg]

thanks for the tips! I will check out www.waterbirth.org and see what I can drum up!

[Defenestrator]

Barbara Harper of Waterbirth International has been known to call hospital administrators herself. I think she would be a great resource.

[RachaelsMommy]

Originally Posted by dogmom327

I have a La Bassine. I think it holds 100 gallons of water. At 7 lbs. per gallon that's about 700 lbs. plus your weight and the weight of anyone hanging around the pool. I think you could argue that many people weigh 150-200 lbs therefore the pool is equivalent to 3-5 adults standing in one place. If their floors won't hold that, I think you've got bigger problems

I was thinking the same thing!