Hot tub birth outside- advice

[slingmama4]

This will be my 7th birth (2 natural hospital, 2 great homebirths w/ midwife, 1 perfect UC! and 1 eleven week miscarriage UC)

So, we had a huge 80 gal whirlpool bath tub for our perfect UC, but we have now moved across country and planning our next UC now.

I really want a water birth again! Loved it! 

So, here's my options.

1. buy a birth pool--I'm a not sold on the idea due to clean up afterwards. My husband is very supportive of UC, but gets queasy at cleaning up blood, etc... So, that leaves work for me after I birth which I don't want. He's willing to help, but the gagging gets to me. He has a really sensitive stomach.

2. Hot Tub (outside)---We live in small time and neighbors are not really close to us, so i 'm not too concerned about the lack of privacy. I'd love to birth outside in the summer under the stars, but I can't find any info on birthing in a hot tub. Like obvious I wouldn't use chemicals to keep the water clean. Seems like I've heard peroxide/salts can keep water clean for up to two days? I need more info about birthing in a hot tub before I make that decision.  Also, we would be taking a chance on it not be ready in time. I have gone over my edd 10-14 days with every pregnancy and my last baby was born at 44 weeks. So, I have a huge window to prepare for. 

The hot tub is really my 1st choice. Easy clean up (drain, refill and let the chemicals and filter do the rest).

So, does anyone have any advice/thoughts/info/links about birthing in a hot tub outside? Any thoughts are very much appreciated!

[BaileyB]

All I can offer is that you would have to be able to control the temp of the water. I forget what the standard is for temp but I know it shouldn't get too high.

Other than that, congrats on going 44 weeks without losing your mind, and I think birthing outdoors sounds wonderful. I am kind of hoping for a really warm May + going a little late so that I might be able to birth outside too!

[slingmama4]

Originally Posted by BaileyB 

All I can offer is that you would have to be able to control the temp of the water. I forget what the standard is for temp but I know it shouldn't get too high.

Other than that, congrats on going 44 weeks without losing your mind, and I think birthing outdoors sounds wonderful. I am kind of hoping for a really warm May + going a little late so that I might be able to birth outside too!

Thanks bailey for your advice. Our hot tub has temperature controls, so we can set the temp at whatever we want. I would probably set it between 95- 101 degrees which is what birth tub rentals recommend. I dont like getting in to the water until almost transition, so i wouldn't be concerned about prolonged temps. 

I did do some more research today and found that most birth tub rentals clean their tubs with bromine and recommend using GSE, grapefruit Seed Extract liquid, available at any whole foods store to keep the water clean. It has been found very effective in maintaining tub water for up to 2 weeks. You will add 20 drops every day or as often as needed. You cannot hurt the tub or yourself by adding too much, as it is a natural bactericide.  So, I thought I would share my findings on here for others who are interested.

[Voondrop]

My first concern would also be the temperature & my second not nearly so serious thought (just my personal comfort) would be the bugs. Are you screened in? I wouldn't do it at my house as we have livestock & the flies get thick in the summer, not to mention the mosquitoes. It is a little thing but it would distract me to no end.
 

[slingmama4]

We live 7000 ft above sea level ...there are no bugs here.  Where we use to live in Ga it would have been horrible. Thanks for the thought. 

[BaileyB]

The other thing I thought about is temperature outside but I don't know when you are due or where you live. Obviously you wouldn't want babe to be cold coming out of the water.

P.S. hi other unschooling momma!

[slingmama4]

Originally Posted by BaileyB 

The other thing I thought about is temperature outside but I don't know when you are due or where you live. Obviously you wouldn't want babe to be cold coming out of the water.

P.S. hi other unschooling momma!

I'm due in June, so should be perfect weather. So, what are you thinking about for your outside birth? 

PS-hi to you too

[queenrilly]

Should be fine, you've got a summer birth and a temperature controlled tub of water. The only thing people ahve against hottubs normally is midwives who can reach their hand into your vag in the depth of the hottub. LOL.

I wish I had a hottub, I would do the same thing.....except I'm in Arizona so it would be like 105 degrees without the water! (due in July)

:D

Actually I was thinking about a pool birth outside, you know, inflatable kind (if you cover the pool for like one day out here it will be bathwater temp the next day).

 Thanks for the GSE idea! I never would have thought of that and it's good to know all-around.

Congrats!

[BaileyB]

Re: what I was thinking about for an outside pool. I guess I really haven't figured it out, I just was thinking it would be nice to be outside if possible. We did get a big inflatable this last summer...

[queenrilly]

the more we talk about it the more I want to get an inflatable and do it outside lol!

[prescottchels]

My best friend had her 2nd baby in her in-laws hot tub outside on easter morning near sunrise under an orange blossom tree, picturesque, eh? ;-) (late March in Phoenix, AZ, probably perfect temps!)
I don't know if they prepped the hot tub in anyway, but I thought you gals would get a kick out of her setting.