Debating between jacuzzi and birth pool - POLL please read description

[Barefoot~Baker]

I'm giving birth in a hospital, and they've got the option of the birth pool, which you can give birth in, or laboring in the jacuzzi, but getting out for the birth. You have to choose either/or and I can't decide!

I would love a waterbirth, but you have to get out to deliver the placenta.

The jacuzzi sounds really great because of the jets, and I had back labor with my last 2 so I think the jets would be really nice.

So, do I use the pool and then get out to deliver the placenta, or the jacuzzi to aid with the possibility of back labor, then get out to have the baby?

Which would you do???

Thank you!

[TortelliniMama]

I would go for the pool, because (contrary to what I expected), I couldn't stand having the jets on in the jacuzzi I used during labor with ds. They felt horrible! Of course, your experience could be totally different, but it can be helpful to realize that your preferences during labor may be dramatically different than what you usually like. (Another example is that I'm usually a big lover of massage and back rubs, but I didn't want to be touched at all in labor. Big change from my thought that dh would be exhausted by rubbing my back throughout labor! )

[mysticmomma]

I don't understand how they can expect you to know what you will want while you are in labor NOW. If you get in the jacuzzi and HATE it, you will not be ALLOWED to use the pool for the remainder of your labor?

[Barefoot~Baker]

I have to know what I want to do on the day I go in. You're right, once I get in either the pool or the jacuzzi, I can't use the other

[mamato3cherubs]

Jets are not all they are cracked up to be in labor. If you are in a good groove and being left to do your own thing in labor land, then you will not want to have to be interupted when 2nd stage begins. Water can be very benificial durning birth as well as labor. Once it is time for the placenta you have probably been forced out of that 3rd world anyhow

[koalove]

ide go for the pool because i cnt imagine having to stand up and and get out when the babe is about to come out! also, when ds was born, there was no waterbirth allowed in that hospital but the midwife there said that i could just accidentally give birth in the tub. as in, "i cant move! hes coming out right now!" (push push) and that was what i was going to do if ds wasnt born before i even made it to the pool!

[wombatclay]

Hmmmm... I had a jacuzzi (at hospital) for dd1 and the same jacuzzi (same hospital) with dd2. With dd1 I hated it and could not stand the jets (had loooong back labor) and with dd2 I thought it rocked (the jets were amazing, no back labor).

For me the choice would probably come down to which tub was/is deeper. With my back labor babe the only bearable position was hands/knees but in that position the tub wasn't deep enough for my back to be covered by the water (and the bubble jets hit my knees). So I'd sort of hang on the side of the tub and DH would put wet towels on my back... but it wasn't a comfy solution. Then with dd2's birth the sitting/leaning position was totally comfy and worked well in the tub (everything covered, jets on my back).

I agree that it's hard to pick in advance, but I guess I'd go with whichever one had the mosst flexibility in keeping you warm/floating in different positions.

Good luck!

[mamayarn]

What is their reasoning for you having to get out to deliver the placenta?!?

[Barefoot~Baker]

Originally Posted by mamayarn

What is their reasoning for you having to get out to deliver the placenta?!?

If I remember correctly, she said that it was to prevent water getting in

[Full Heart]

I'd go with the pool cause I couldn't imagine having to get out when its time to push.

[mwherbs]

I would recommend the pool - many women don't care for the jets while in labor- and with the pool you have the option to either stay in or get out as you choose

[wbg]

birth pool....for sure.

i just felt that my baby girl's arrival under water was such a peaceful beginning for her and if i did it again i would always aim for my babies to arrive under water. not that my land births were bad or anything. i just preferred water and i think it was so lovely for both me and my bub.

re placenta...i got out to deliver mine because when my dd arrived with her little hand next to her head, i tore and so instantly the pool was red. i had had some low iron issues through the pregnancy and i think my mw felt more comfortable with land delivery of placenta so she could monitor blood loss.

not sure. in retrospect i would have been perfectly content to stay in my warm pool and deliver the placenta, even if the visual of the red water was a little disturbing

[momto4kids]

Originally Posted by Full Heart

I'd go with the pool cause I couldn't imagine having to get out when its time to push.

I labored in a jacuzzi w/ my 3rd child & the jets were..mmmm..okay I guess. With my next 2 I used a birth pool & just hot water. I enjoyed it more since I was able to stay in the whole time & give birth when I felt the urge to push.

Is the reason you have to choose ahead of time because they are in separate rooms??? I know one hospital I birthed at you had to request the room w/ the jacuzzi otherwise you were out of luck......