Birth in Bathtub? - Page 2

[alegna]

I don't know if even a BIG tub would have been as nice as my pool. I could FLOAT and that was wonderful. I can't really float even in big tubs....

-Angela

[LizaBear]

We've got a tiny little tub in our apartment - we don't even have 1 full side access, because the toilet is in the way. So, while it might be okay in a pinch - I wouldn't PLAN on birthing there.

Give me my blow-up fishie pool, the ability to move around, be on my hands and knees or whatever, and I'll be much more comfortable I think.

[Nan'sMom]

Just a quick note. You wrote, "She told me that she actually prefers when women birth in the bathtub because it is so much easier for her and the assistants to assist me." I don't know the context obviously, but that comment would concern me. First, for me, the midwife's preferences for her own convenience should not be a factor in deciding where and how to birth. Second, I'd be concerned about how they want to "assist" you, and why being in a bathtub would make it easier...you might ask them what they usually do to "assist" during labor and birthing and make sure it is what you envision helping you the most during that time. If not, be clear about your needs, even if they are not what is usual in this mw's practice.

[huggerwocky]

Originally Posted by Nan'sMom

Just a quick note. You wrote, "She told me that she actually prefers when women birth in the bathtub because it is so much easier for her and the assistants to assist me." I don't know the context obviously, but that comment would concern me. First, for me, the midwife's preferences for her own convenience should not be a factor in deciding where and how to birth. Second, I'd be concerned about how they want to "assist" you, and why being in a bathtub would make it easier...you might ask them what they usually do to "assist" during labor and birthing and make sure it is what you envision helping you the most during that time. If not, be clear about your needs, even if they are not what is usual in this mw's practice.

good point...not much to assist in the pool!

[kolszewski]

So, while we are talking about tubs....

My question is about the cleanup in the tub. I assume everything washes down the drain but would anything "muck up" the jacuzzi jets in the tub or would I just run with jets with the cleaner solution after the birth.

I would also assume that a really clean tub is important so I would have to make sure the jet lines are super clean before filling for birth as well?

[spero]

Originally Posted by kolszewski

so I would have to make sure the jet lines are super clean before filling for birth as well?

When I had my WBs, they filled the tub (and refilled/kept the water temp up) with a regular old black hose from maintenance, hooked up to the bathroom sink.

I doubt it was "super clean".

There wasn't much cleanup - most of the "yuck" came when I delivered the placenta, and I was required to get out of the tub to do that (although I'd guess with a HB you wouldn't have to).

[crsta33]

For my 1st the birthcenter had a huge jacuzzi tub. It didn't work for me. The water felt nice, but I need to move in labor and the tub was hard and unyeilding. I felt like a beached whale, so I got out and labored on the bed.

With my homebirth I had a fishy pool. It was wonderful. Nice and deep, very cushiony. I could move easily.

It was a little difficult for my midwife to reach the baby. After he crowned, he was tangled up in his cord and I had to move to the bed so she could unwrap him.

Christa

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by kolszewski

So, while we are talking about tubs....

My question is about the cleanup in the tub. I assume everything washes down the drain but would anything "muck up" the jacuzzi jets in the tub or would I just run with jets with the cleaner solution after the birth.

I would also assume that a really clean tub is important so I would have to make sure the jet lines are super clean before filling for birth as well?

It doesn't hurt to be clean but the last time my shower/tub was cleaned was a week before the birth: .

[Eaglevoice]

Originally Posted by Nan'sMom

Just a quick note. You wrote, "She told me that she actually prefers when women birth in the bathtub because it is so much easier for her and the assistants to assist me." I don't know the context obviously, but that comment would concern me. First, for me, the midwife's preferences for her own convenience should not be a factor in deciding where and how to birth. Second, I'd be concerned about how they want to "assist" you, and why being in a bathtub would make it easier...you might ask them what they usually do to "assist" during labor and birthing and make sure it is what you envision helping you the most during that time. If not, be clear about your needs, even if they are not what is usual in this mw's practice.

Basically what she meant was assisting the perennium (sp?). She said that some pools are really deep and she's very short 4'10'' and it's hard for her to reach in and not put her face in the water...

[grapejuicemama]

That makes sense, for her to support the perineum. I *doubt* that she ever suggests that the mama birth anywhere other than where mama wants to.

My mw told me that she would prefer to assist me in one tub over another. That doesn't mean I would make a decision based on her convenience. It's just a comment. She still very happily assisted me in some unusual positions in the tub that I preferred.

I give birth in a large garden tub. I prefer the hard sides and it's deep enough for me.

[Rhannie]

My tub is rather deep (you can sit neck deep in the water), but its not long enough to stretch out in. I ended up giving birth in it, but the problem for me was that it was too short and narrow to stretch out in and I had a lot of trouble being able to get a good position to push. I actually ended up half leaning out the tub (over the corner) (it's only molded to the wall on two sides) in a semi-squatting position. It seems that the sides were too narrow to get my legs spread apart to get the baby's head out (or maybe it was because I was actually on my back in the tub).

If you have a place to inflate it then I'd second the fishy pool. Unfortunately, my house doesn't have a place where I could've used it

[moonfirefaery]

I have considered birthing in the tub because of the ease of filling/draining and whatnot...but it just seems like a pool would be more comfortable, since it's made of soft, squishy material that molds to your body a bit more than the hardness of a tub. Have you thought of just buying a kiddi wading pool to use? If I had a big tub, and some way to make it cushioned, I would do it, but I have a really small one so... I donno.

[prettypixels]

You might consider the La Bassine... which is oval and is supposed to be easier for MW's to access you in.
http://www.yourwaterbirth.com/labassine.shtml