I will get to labor in a tub! Any tips?

[filiadeluna]

I am 8 days "past due", and the only great thing about that is that the hospital I'm going to started using labor tubs today! :

Anywho, they won't let anyone actually push or give birth in the tub out of liability concerns - probably the insurance companies , but laboring in the tub will be awesome anyway!

Anyone have any tips or hints for getting the most out of laboring in the tub? Apparently it is one of those big, inflatable ones with a built-in seat. It's almost tempting to go to the hospital slightly earlier just to be able to relax in the tub b/c my bathtub at home is WAY too small to stretch out in.

[fruitfulmomma]

Don't lay on your back. Seriously, I had the worst contraction ever when I got into my bathtub during transaction and couldn't get off my back when it came on.

I used the tub at the hospital during my third birth and it was really great. Mostly I used the hands and knees position. The only thing that annoyed me what that the jets would go off by themselves, almost always right middle of a contraction but I guess that won't be an issue in an inflatable.

[eloise24]

Getting in and out? DON'T! Just kidding . . . I had to get out once to pee and once to throw up and it was awful! I was freezing cold and shaking (and after giving birth, too). So make sure you have some warm & cozy blankets around when they do make you get out, because that can be hard. I spent the whole time mostly floating on hands & knees, or leaning over the side. It was amazing I loved the water!

[rixafreeze]

I was in and out of my jacuzzi tub during the last half of my labor (including pushing, but I was at home so no one had any rules about it!). I don't remember getting cold at all, but of course it depends on how cool it is in the hospital room. Some women never want to get out once they get in a birth pool. I couldn't stay anywhere for more than about 30 minutes at a time, including in the tub. So just give yourself the flexibility to do what feels right in the moment. Oh, and don't tell people when you feel pushy. Wait until they figure it out themselves! I say this because I had an hour of mild "throwing down" pushing before the *real* pushing set in, which took 2 more hours.

[jennyfah]

Originally Posted by rixafreeze

Oh, and don't tell people when you feel pushy. Wait until they figure it out themselves! I say this because I had an hour of mild "throwing down" pushing before the *real* pushing set in, which took 2 more hours.

:

The same thing goes for eating in labor; if you're not 'allowed' to eat/drink during labor, make sure you get it done when the nurses are out of the room, or find a nurse who's on your side. IME, I believe eating in labor saved me from a c-section with my first birth, since there's no way I could have pushed for four hours after not eating for 20.

Peace and wishes for a beautiful birth!
Jen