Bathtub?

[Partaria]

Hi Mamas!

I'm thinking of having a homebirth in our small, one bedroom apartment in May.

Don't know if there will be room for a birth pool....

Anyone had a water birth in a bathtub? If so, do I need special gear to make it safer or anything?

[borncrunchy]

I never have, but Ricki Lake did for her 2nd son The footage of her bathtub birth is on The Business Of Being Born. But from what I have read, you want at least 18 inches of water for the right bouyancy (sp?), and to get the full effect of the water for pain management, and a standard tub isn't that deep. Also I have read that (and it makes sense) a standard bathtub would have few options for different positions, and may not be as comfortable because its so small. But people do it all the time. You could look at this pool, its the aquarium pool and its 25$, and on the smaller size, so it may fit

[MegBoz]

I've also read it's tough since the floor of a standard tub is generally hard, so it wouldn't be comfy for kneeling. (whereas some birth pools have inflated floors, or you could set them up over a comforter, on carpet, etc. to ensure a soft floor.)

Although I remember one mama saying she resolved this by using an old bed pillow. She had to trash it post birth, but it did the trick.

[St. Margaret]

Gosh, I wish I had one of those HUGE tubs you see on TV in McMansions and stuff, to birth in. Just put down some foam pad and it would be sooo easy to fill and drain! I would think whatever to make it comfy and work for you, and then perhaps having really cleaned it beforehand? You could always use some kind of liner to ease clean up, too... I used my little home tub just to relax a bit during my birth last time, but not for hours or even during transition too much and not to birth in!

I'm still not convinced I'm having a tub, I never desired it, but my MW really thinks it's worth it, so who knows. She says there's a type that's big enough to birth but takes up very little space-- try yourwaterbirth.com as they have the dimensions all listed I believe!

[Partaria]

Thanks for the replies, Mamas! I just watched The Business of Being Born this weekend, actually! A great film for expectant mamas, btw.

Thanks so much for the link to smaller birthing tubs- sounds like our bathtub (which is quite narrow to begin with) might not be the most beneficial.

[homemademom]

We have a larger than average tub, but not quite the size of a "garden tub" and no jets. I tried it last time and it was SO uncomfortable. Not deep enough, too hard and clunky. Part of my annoyance was that the lights were too bright in my bathroom, despite being dimmed.
Even if you have a small space, the fishy pool isn't too big. Check it out: http://www.yourwaterbirth.com/other-...-pool-p-2.html Also, it's pretty darn cheap

[Partaria]

Whoa, really? You can use a fishy pool like this instead of a $150 dollar birthing tub? Cause...wow. I mean that is awesome.

[babyjelly]

i used the fishy pool in my last labor. Fishy pools rock! still trying to figure out how to make it fit upstairs in the current place...all my doors are in the way!
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