Hospitals- another vent! (could be a long one!)

[Chloe]

ok- So I went to the hospital tour the other night. It is a nice maternity section and all, but the nurse giving the tour kept talking about the epidurals and pain medications. GRRRRR! And everyone is sitting there nodding their heads. It's all about money!!!!

WEll, it turns out that they have 3 "tub rooms", but only one tub. BUT IT IS A BIRTHING TUB! So I could get an older room, with a shower, but with the possiblity of getting the tub, then I could have a water birth. I asked about that (I was the only person asking questions about water as pain relief and water birth..) but hopefully at least one of those people will start to research! The nurse said, and I quote exactly, " there is not a doctor in this city who will do a water birth!" To which I replied, "well I have a midwife." And she said, oh well they will let you have a water birth. YAY

So if I can't have a homebirth, I am going to try my darndest to get a hospital waterbirth. People are telling me that midwives have no power in Ohio hospitals, and that I may meet some resistance. But I am of the opinion that I am the customer, and I am paying for them to give me a satisfactory experience...It's MY birth, my baby, my body. If everything is going well, and mother and baby are perfectly safe, why not use the tub? So I guess if I have to stand my ground and insist, that is ok, because I don't have to go to that hospital again! (We are moving!) So who cares what they think??? It is our child after all, not theirs.

Plus, why would they have a birthing tub to offer, if they don't want people to use it??

She also said though, that they make you immediately get out to deliver the placenta in the bed. (Because it's messy) which I guess I can understand.

So- I guess that's it. I was just angered by the fact that she mostly talked about the pain relief. Oh, and we got to see where the circumcisions are done. Yippee! I almost got sick. LOL

And also they have two jacuzzi rooms that you can labor in, but you can't have the baby in them. (I can undertsand that because of the jets). It would be hard to clean them out. So now i am stuck- do I request a jacuzzi room, and forget about a water birth or try for one of the rooms that can accomodate the tub, and risk not getting it if someone else is using it?

Good thing I was there to ask the questions about natural labor!!! I told a few people in passing- do your research!! hope they listen!

oh- and we live exactly 5 miles from the hospital- if I was having a homebirth, I wouldn't have far to go if something went wrong!!!

[Greaseball]

I was not impressed with the jacuzzi at my hospital. It was really shallow, the jets didn't have very much pressure, and the water didn't run as hot as I like it, for safety reasons. I didn't find that it helped at all. But I'm glad they offered it.

Oh and also, you were "allowed" to use it only once.:

I hope everything works for you! Refuse the medication if you don't want it.

[cottonwood]

Hm, well, I don't know about the mess part of it, I mean all they have to do is drain the tub (and I'm assuming they have to clean and sanitize the tub afterwards anyway??) But, I think one concern is that after the baby is born they like to see how much you are bleeding, and that's hard to see when you're in the tub.

Now about your question about jacuzzi vs. possible water birth -- I guess if it was me, I would take the jacuzzi. I've had a waterbirth and it was nice, but for my next birth I chose to labor in the water and decided I wanted to get out for the birth itself. The main thing for me is being able to *labor* in the water. It is so so helpful. So if it was me I'd definitely take the jacuzzi room. (WHY can't they make it easy and just have tubs in ALL the rooms?)

[Chloe]

I know- wouldn't it be nice if the tubs were in all the rooms? It's one of those big birthing tubs- portable. They need another one at least!!

Well, the midwife said if I didn't like it I could get out. Maybe I will decide I am more comfortable laboring in the tub, but that I want to get out for the birth- we will see how it goes.

I plan on refusing any medication... Last time I wanted it while I was in labor, but I didn't want it up until then! I changed my mind!! But not this time. Bring it on BABY! I AM WOMAN- I can handle it...and it wasn't that bad anyway, now that I have gone through it. I think the water will help me alot.

[cottonwood]

I am always in awe of women who have the strength to forego drugs when they're available.

The water does help a lot! For me it was not only the heat and buoyancy, but the feeling of being somewhere that people couldn't easily see me or touch me. It felt very safe, and I know this helped my labor progress.

[Chloe]

That is what I am hoping for!

[New Moon]

I would go for the birthing tub- they are usually considerably bigger and better to labor in then a small jacuzzi. And I have yet to meet one woman who enjoyed the jets during labor! It sounds like there wont be many mamas wanting to use the birth tub anyway so chance are you would be able to use it.
Blessings
New moon

[Chloe]

Yes, that is what I think too. It doesn't sound like waterbirth is too popular around here. Great for me! So I will try to get the tub. The tub rooms have just a shower, but they are bigger...this is the old part of the maternity area. They are all really nice rooms. They have cd players, microwaves and a tv. I really hope I can try the tub.

[candiland]

You should make sure that your hubby and midwives are well aware of your birthing plans, well in advance. That way, hubby can advocate for you (if you do not have a doula present), and you can be assured that he will speak up if a labor nurse says, "Oh, we can't do that because of such-and-such..." You can just shove the plan in her face and say, "Oh, Yes I can! Dr./Midwife So-and-So signed off on these orders!"
The reason that I bring this up is because in many hospitals, they have silly routines and procedures, especially in regards to laboring in water/water birth. If you are totally prepared and your birth team is fully informed, you can have an excellent water hospital birth experience.

[Chloe]

Thanks for the advice! I have shown the midwife my plan, and I will be bringing it to the hospital with me. I will be making extra copies!!!!

[MammaV]

I'm from Mpls and there is a company here that has tubs, will travel and do set up and clean and take down. It's a home based business, but they do go to the hospital if the hospital will let them in, some do, some don't.
Be Sure to have several copies of your birth plan in writing, taped up by the sink, etc. Nurses conveniently lose these sometimes. I had to have a hosp birth due to high risk, and my nurse was a total crab. Have your DH talk with the staff and let them know what your expectations are in their role. If you specify no-meds, they probably won't even ask. Despite that bad attitude with my L&D nurse, she never asked me if I wanted pain meds and pretty much left us alone. We specified no VitK and No eye goop and she asked us if we wanted that and explained the benefits, which are debatable. Anyway, just be sure to set expectations with the staff and that will make your experience more enjoyable.
On the pain note: A posative attitude is everything. Relax and remember that your body is working, not trying to hurt you. Good luck

[Chloe]

Thanks, MammaV- that is a good idea- taping your birth plan up! I will definitely have several copies!!!

In the hospital at my son's birth (different hospital) they didn't have any birthing tubs, just showers- wish I had used the shower even! But the nurse I had was very nice- luckily- and asked if I was sure when I said I wanted some pain medication. At the time I was sure! Now I don't want them. I didn't want them before hand, either, but I caved!!! Now I know my body is working to get the baby out. And I trust it, and I am ready. I have been practicing my own version of yoga breathing. There is alot I wish I knew the first time, but all in all, I did alright. This time I will get through without pain meds!! I know I can...the first time I was scared and couldn't get past that. I didn't get the epidural, it wasn't for me. I just got nubain, now I wish I hadn't, but oh well.

I think my husband knows I don't want any medication, but I think i'll need to remind him!

Still wavering on the K- even though i know it is unnecessary. I don't think I will get the eye goop.

[owensmom]

One thing to consider, which I never thought about until I was in the middle of it, is how small/big the space is where the tub/jacuzzi is. The jacuzzi at the hospital I had to go to was in it's own bathroom, but with me, dh and two midwives in a fairly small space and hot water flowing, I couldn't relax, I was way too hot! Also, I think something with more room like a tub would be more relaxing, the jacuzzi was regular bath tub size and I wasn't terribly comfy. Just my 2 cents!

Good luck, I am so proud of you that you sound so strong in what you want! I have friends that keep ending up with c-sections, and it breaks my heart...

[Chloe]

I have been reading alot One of the books I am reading right now is Robbie Davis-Floyd's Birth As An American Rite of Passage. It is a must r ead for EVERY woman- and man, for that matter!

I think you are right, Owen's mom, the jaccuzi might not work. The tub will be better because it will be in the middle of the room. I am sooooooo looking foward to trying the water- even if I don't end up delivering in it- I may decide I want out. But from what I have read, there is less likelihood thaI will tear, and that is a good thing!
Not as much to heal!!! I will be able to concentrate on the joy of our baby and not the negative thngs, or the pain in my vagina because of stitches! LOL I ended up with an episiotomy with the first baby
OUCH

[cottonwood]

That's an amazing book!

As far as your perineum is concerned, water does help because it provides warmth and moisture and a sense of privacy that is conducive to the letting go of inhibitions. Of course, there are other ways you can get those things, but in a hospital setting the birthtub might be the most convenient way!

Equally important are upright positioning and no pushing unless you absolutely cannot help but push (or if the baby is in danger, of course, at which point the issue of the health of your perineum is moot.) If all these conditions are met, it is HIGHLY unlikely that you'll tear.

[applejuice]

Good Luck Chloe!

I hope everything works out for you!

[Chloe]

Thank you all! I am very excited!

As for the book- Birth as an American Rite of Passage- it's a great book, but I have to read it in spurts, because it's so true- we are so ingrained to BELIEVE in doctors and put our trust in them instead of ourselves.


Empower ourselves!!! Enough is enough!

[MammaV]

I just got the newest issue of Midwifery Today. It's packed full of good information on medical intervention. The midwife I was seeing for prenatal care gave me some excellent advice on tearing. She told me that when I felt the ring of fire to hold back on pushing, let the perineum adjust and push some more. Unfortuantely, I was high risk and ended up with an OB and hosp birth and a class 2 tear. The DR and Nurse were ordering me to push and I should have listened to my body not them...It's too hard to birth a baby and fight with the staff. Good Luck on your birth... Remember that you are strong and your body knows what to do to safely and effectively birth your baby. Don't be afraid to keep moving all thoughout labor and to birth in a squat postition or side lying or what every you body tells you to do. Squatting will open your pelvis an extra 10%! So good luck and I know that you will have a joyous birth experience. Oh Yeah, the endorphin high during labor is incredible. I'd give birth naturally again any day of the week just to experience that high again..

[earthmama007]

Ok just a quck question...don't get mad at me for asking. I am just curious if you are going to the hospital b/c midwifery is illegal in OH? It sounds to me like it would be lots of trouble to get in the car and make a fuss over all the things you want if you can avoid all of it and stay in your comfy home with a midwife. This is only out of curiosity I am sure you know your options and maybe you just don't feel comfortable hombirthing. I don't know that is why I am asking :

[earthmama007]

Oh Yeah BTW I had a birthing pool and loved it and It really helped with the pian. It also helped with relaxation. I forgot to write that before.