At what point in labor do you get into the tub?

[roses25]

At what point in labor do you get into tub? I plan to go to the birth center when contractions are 3 minutes apart, 1 minute long, and have been that way for 1 hour (311 rule). Would it be befefitial to get into the tub before that?

I'm giving birth in a birth center that is 3 hours away, so I will be staying at a Ronald McDonald House who allows their long distance patience like me to stay there when it gets close until birth. Other patients come first since we don't have a child in the hospital, but if there are open rooms then we are allowed to stay there. I don't know if the Ronald McDonald House has a bathtub in the room or not. I'm considering finding a hotel with a jacuzzi in the room to labor at and then go back to the hotel for a few days after my baby is born. I'm co-sleeping with my baby so the twin beds at the Ronald McDonald House wouldn't work too well for that.

Carolyn

[Peppermint Poppies]

All I've heard is not to get into the tub too early, or it can slow labour down. Apparently hot showers are OK though.

[AustGirl]

Our birth centre won't let you get in the bath until you're 5cm dilated. They say if you're less than that, it can prolong or even stop productive contractions. Shower may be best bet to start with.

[j_p_i]

Originally Posted by Peppermint Poppies

All I've heard is not to get into the tub too early, or it can slow labour down. Apparently hot showers are OK though.

My mw told me the same thing. She suggested a lot of walking around and movement, being on the birth ball, etc., and then getting in the tub as labor really progresses. I love being in the tub though, so I think that I will probably take a nice bath here at home (perhaps with a glass of wine) earlier on in labor. I don't plan on going in until I'm in active labor, and I want to labor as much as I can at home.

[~Katie~]

I happened to show up at the hospital at 5cm so I got in the tub as soon as I got there. Prior to that I spent all my time in the shower mostly at home. I didn't actually leave for the hospital until I had been in labor for 8 hours, 6 of which were active labor. I think my contractions were less than a minute apart and lasting about a minute at that point, but I lived about 2 minutes from the hospital so that's why I waited so long. I didn't have a tub at home, otherwise I probably would have waited even longer.

[koalove]

i got in the tub as soon as i felt like it. i dont have any rules about it. i wanted to be on my hands and knees but it ws too uncomfortable on my knees and back so my doula suggested that i get in the tub. i did and it was great!

[Asher]

I would think once you felt the need for labor/pain relief?

I arrived at the hospital at 4cm and am glad my MW let me get in as soon as they did my gbs+ meds and went pee as I labored super quick from there. If she hadn't started filling it up right away (and what a relief that sound was!!!), I'm not sure I'd have gotten a water birth at all.