Using tub at Northside/Piedmont/anywhere but AMC

[BellaGrace1]

I am researching if it's possible to use a tub for labor at any hospital other than Atlanta Medical Center.  I think I read somewhere that only 2 Atlanta hospitals now allow water birth -- AMC and South Fulton. Neither of those is an option for me.  I had a stillborn daughter at AMC last fall with Intown Midwifery and refuse to use that practice or be treated at that hospital again due to my experience.  (While Anjli was fine during the labor and delivery Intown sent me a handwritten congratulations card the week after my daughter's birth.  I took that as evidence that they have simply grown too big to actually care for their patients and will not be able to give me the extra care and attention I will require in future pregnancies. And AMC was grossly negligent in my care, resulting in lifelong regrets over the time I had with my stillborn daughter).

So anyways, I am now 6 weeks pregnant and searching for a new midwife.  I'd like to have a water birth but it seems like that won't be possible in a hospital. A friend had mentioned in the past that she'd bought her own tub and taken it to Piedmont. Has anyone ever  brought in their own tub to use during labor?  Having never gone through a normal labor with a full term baby I don't know if using the tub during labor but getting out for the actual delivery would be helpful but would like to have that option at a hospital. 

[yellow73]

Have you looked at Emory/Crawford Long Hospital?  I'm not completely sure, but they may have tubs for labor although I doubt they actually do water birth.  I had a friend who had a very quick birth there, so she didn't have time for a tub, but she used Dr. Tate, who is known for being VBAC and breech birth friendly.

[yellow73]

Oh, I did some laboring in a birth pool (at home) with two births, but couldn't get into a comforable position to actually deliver that way for various reasons, but it still is wonderful to labor that way. 

Edited by yellow73 - 1/8/12 at 6:54pm

[thorn]

North Fulton Regional also offers waterbirths.  I don't think you'll find any other hospital that allows a birth tub, but if your friend says she brought one to Piedmont, then maybe?

I'm so sorry for your bad experience with Intown.  Someone really dropped the ball there.  If you are ever able I would let them know what happened though, that kind of feedback could help others in the future 

[southernfriedkarma]

I know people who have labored in the shower at both Northside and Piedmont, though I have not heard of a tub being allowed at either.  

I'm very sorry for your loss and negative experience with your daughter's birth.  I hope you find excellent care that meets your needs this time.  

[kindyll]

I labored in the shower (as well as everywhere else) at Northside, and I highly recommend my OB's midwife.  PM me for info if you want.