Waterbirth: Jets or no jets?

[lhowlett]

If you've experienced both waterbirth with jets (like a jetted tub) and without (like a birth pool), which did you prefer and why? I can only get jets at a birth center, but can only get the larger area of a pool at home. Decision, decisions...

[chaoticzenmom]

I say "no jets." I had a water labor in a hospital with jets and it was really overwhelming and I had to get out. Once I got out, I got the epidural, stayed in bed..etc.

My last birth was at a birthing center in a jakuzzi, but no jets. I thought about it and was grossed out at the possibility of hidden germs being thrown into the tub with my newborn baby. I imagine that they clean the tubs really well, but you just never know. The tub was big enough and I really liked the silence of it. I had a few drops of lavander on a rag that I kept near me to inhale when I needed to relax. I never felt overwhelmed or felt the need to get out.

Just my experience...Best to you
Lisa (mom to 3 wonderful children)

[Peony]

I had jets in the hospital with dd1, with dd2 I had an aqua doula at home. I was worried about the lack of jets because I really liked them while laboring with dd1, I didn't miss them. The warm water felt so good that I wasn't complaining.

[kerikadi]

I've had two waterbirths in my large garden tub here at home. I have the option for jets but I had NO desire during my labors for jets. I wanted the water to be calm and I think the noise also would have bothered me.

Keri

[prettypixels]

It seems like most of them you could turn the jets off if you want, during... I mean most hot tubs work that way, and most jacuzzi tubs I've been in... you can have them on or off depending on what you want. Which would be nice, so you don't have to be totally decided ahead of time!

[lhowlett]

I understand about being able to turn them on and off, but I don't have that option in a birth pool at home. Just trying to see if jets will help me deicde where to birth.
Thanks!

[phoebemommy]

My pool had jets, but by the time I was in there I wanted nothing to do with them.

[bugsma]

I didn't like the jets and turned them off in mine too-- just too much noise and stimulation I think. My dh poured water over my back, that felt really good.

[chaoticzenmom]

well, if you're considering at home or at the birthing center, jets would be really low on the list. IMO

If you give birth at home, you'll have a tub. Do you have some good out-of-the-way space for your tub? You're not going to have the energy to deal with it for a few days afterwards (I would imagine). How far away is the birthing center? Have you given birth before? How far away is the nearest hospital or "homebirth mother friendly" hospital? How clean are the birthing centers? What if you and another mother are in labor at the same time? Will heading off to the birthing center interrupt your labor? Will you want to get into the car (in the winter) with your new baby to drive home just a few hours after labor?

I'm sure you've thought about those things before though. I can't imagine that whether you want jets or not is what is really holding you back from making that decision. But, if it's only the jets that's holding you back, I say "stay home and hang out in the tub." I'd looove to do that next time...if there is a next time.

Lisa (mom to 3 wonderful children)

[nova22]

Just adding my quick $.02...

I had a hospital birth and all the birth suites have private whirlpool tubs. I spend a long time in the tub when I was laboring with my first baby. I flicked the switch for the jets at one point and instantly regretted it: they were REALLY loud, made my entire body feel like it was vibrating, and the jets of water were way too fast and hard, even on a low setting. I struggled to turn them off and ultimately had to get my husband to do it, because the stupid things had thrown me so far out of whack that I couldn't figure it out.

In early labor it did help to have water from the shower head aimed at my back to ease the tension of contractions, but that level and speed of water flow is about as much as I could tolerate during my labor.

[fruitfulmomma]

I would not birth in the hospital or birth center *just* for the jets.

I birthed my third in the hospital due to complications and used the tub alot, including the jets. My biggest complaint about them was that they would turn off automatically and that would mess with my labor rythm - very unnerving. Other than that they were great.

If you have a shower at home you could achieve a similar affect with a hose attached to it and hubby spraying you with it. Or you could kneel in the tub with the shower on your back.

[musemor]

I birthed at home with an AquaDoula and a jacuzzi tub. I did not use the jets in the tub...too much stimulation! The AquaDoula was really superior because it was deeper and the temp stayed consistent, so I spent most of my water time there.

[thefragile7393]

The jets were off for mine but I would have loooooooooooved to have had them on...would have helped my back pain with counterpressure. I just didn't think about it though....too busy concentrating

[MisaGoat]

I had a hospital birth and used the jacuzzi tub there. I only liked the jets for their 'white noise'. I don't think they helped with the contractions. Also, the rule at the hospital was no water after your water breaks (I didn't challenge it and decided to get an epidural).