Waterbirth Question - Water Temp?

[IdentityCrisisMama]

How do you regulate the temperature of the water for a waterbirth tub?  

[Evergreen]

Do you already have a tub?

With my last baby we rented a Spa in a Box that had a programable heater which kept the water at a constant set temperature.

[IdentityCrisisMama]

No, and I'm not really thinking that waterbirth is for me.  I was just kind of wondering because so many people raved about birthing tubs in that birth supply thread.  

[Evergreen]

Oh. I know some people also heat the water with small bucket heaters in 5 gallon buckets and pour it in if their pools don't have heaters.

[MsBlack]

The temperature of waterbirth is seldom 'controlled' exactly.  Some use tubs with heaters, most IME do not.  If not, then often pots of water are kept simmering on the stove, and dumped in as the water cools below mom's comfort (or cold water added if it gets too hot)  Buckets or hoses are used to empty out some of the water if it gets too full.

[NuzzleNudge]

Somebody on another thread stated that if the water is too cold it can trigger the baby to try to inhale underwater. Another person corrected them with the reasoning that people labor in lakes, rivers, streams, ponds...and what not and that it is in fact the air that triggers the baby's reflex to breathe. Makes sense to me.

I am personally due in the Summer, so i am too too worried about keeping the water from getting too cold. But All the Pool Logistics have me thinking and wondering a LOT!