Maybe a dumb waterbirth question

[organicpapayamama]

Although I am not doing a water birth nor have I known anyone IRL to have one I was just thinking about something the other day.

So when your water breaks OB's will typically tell you that you cannot get into the tub to take baths because of risk of infection. Ok... I get that. But if one is having a water birth, I would assume that this "risk" would be the same, right? If there were really such a risk wouldnt there be some sort of documented record showing infection rates going up for water births? I have never heard of such "proof". So since there isnt proof, wouldnt that be enough to say its ok to relax in a tub during labor after your water breaks even if you are not having a water birth? I dont get it... am I missing something?

[cileag]

The OBs at my hospital are fine with going into a tub after your water breaks. The risk of infection is very minimal. Perhaps these are pretty conservative OBs?

[mntnmom]

It used to be believed that water would travel up the vagina and cause infection. I was even told with my first pregnancy (11 yrs ago) not to bathe towards the end. Studies have been done,(I read of one in Henci Goer's book) and the vagina is really pretty waterproof.

[maryeb]

I've heard of OBs saying that, even my little sister in med school thought that as well. Sigh. My midwives do not believe that, my body certainly didn't believe that when I was in the tub for both births. I was in the tub many hours after my water broke the first time around. If you want to relax in the tub, go for it!