laboring in a bathtub or pool?

[ccasanova]

I am only planning on laboring in water as opposed to birthing in it, so while I had planned on buying a kiddie pool for this, I don't know if I should just fill up the bathtub instead. Although I would much prefer the kiddie pool, my reasons are this. My birthing time is going to happen at my parents home. My 2 adult brothers also live there and my family's sleeping quarters consist of the living room, because all the other rooms in the house are taken up so I will have no privacy. I will have to have my pool either in the living room in view of all those there, or outside in the backyard. I had no problem with the pool in the backyard, but what if I go into labor in the middle of the night? I'm due in Sept, which means the nights will probaby be comfortable, but probably filled with mosquitos. . Does laboring in a bathtub feel the same as a pool? Or is a tub not filled as deep? I imagine I would probably need a liner for the tub since it will be used my my 2 brothers, my 4 kids, my dh and myself for showering. On top of this the drain is a little backed up so the water takes some time to go down, and it leaves major residue from those taking a shower. Not the cleanest tub to sit it. Do they make liners for bathtubs? I would rather much have a comfy pool, but the tub will give me more privacy which I'm sure I'll like. Would I need any other equipment? Thanks for any advice!

[Belle]

I labored for a couple contractions in a bathtub. It really sucked. It wasn't deep enough to cover my belly unless I laid flat on my back. Not helpful at all. Very different from laboring in a pool. I had a lot more freedom of movement in the pool and could stay upright while my belly stayed underwater.

[ccasanova]

really? I guess I've never really noticed how deep a bathtub is. But now that I'm thinking about it, even though the tub sides may go up quite a bit, the front of a tub always has that thing with holes in it to keep it from overflowing huh? So you can't really fill up a tub to the top. I'll have to check that out next time I'm at my parents home to see just how deep the water would be.

So if I go with a pool, where do you think it would be more comfortable? Inside in the living room where everyone usually hangs out? Or outside in the backyard? Sept. does get pretty hot during the day where they live. I'm talking low 100's if there is a heat wave. Although, the quietness of being with nature might be nice. It's usally pretty quiet in their yard except for hearing the birds chirping and those sort of sounds.

From reading the birthpool sticky, I saw that using a garden hose is a no no. Is there a way to hook up a decent hose outside where the garden hose usually is hooked up?

[Belle]

Originally Posted by ccasanova

From reading the birthpool sticky, I saw that using a garden hose is a no no. Is there a way to hook up a decent hose outside where the garden hose usually is hooked up?

Water from out side is generally cold. You'll want water from 95-100 degrees. So hooking it up to your kitchen sink is your best bet. For a hose you can get one that is meant for RVs.

[catholicmama]

Originally Posted by ccasanova

really? I guess I've never really noticed how deep a bathtub is. But now that I'm thinking about it, even though the tub sides may go up quite a bit, the front of a tub always has that thing with holes in it to keep it from overflowing huh? So you can't really fill up a tub to the top. I'll have to check that out next time I'm at my parents home to see just how deep the water would be.
\

I just had a waterbirth in my bathtub on thurs. Now, it is a big, corner tub perfect for laboring and birthing in. but it also has the drain sorta 1/2-3/4 up to not let the water overflow. I covered the overflow drain with the type of sticky adhesive stuff you normally hang posters on the wall with. Do you know what I mean? It is sorta like playdough I guess- find it in the school supplies aisle. I actually read that a long time ago, to help fill a tub up more. It worked perfectly and I got the tub filled WAY to the top.

[ccasanova]

Originally Posted by catholicmama

I covered the overflow drain with the type of sticky adhesive stuff you normally hang posters on the wall with. Do you know what I mean? It is sorta like playdough I guess- find it in the school supplies aisle. I actually read that a long time ago, to help fill a tub up more. It worked perfectly and I got the tub filled WAY to the top.

interesting! is it the stuff that looked like dough, but teachers would use it to hang stuff up in the classroom? I sort of remember that stuff. Did it come out easily afterward? Being that it will be my parents tub, I definitely would not want to mess it up somehow. Did you see it in a thread here somewhere?

[catholicmama]

Hmm, I'm not sure where I read it!! It was a long while ago, before my homebirth 2.5 years ago I think.

And so I just covered up the hole, didn't stick any in there, just kinda covered it up, smoothed it out. It came off perfectly. One piece. And yes, the type of stuff teachers would use to hang posters up on the walls! or students in dorm rooms and stuff. You can get it practically anywhere.

[runner29]

I'm pretty sure you would have thought of this, but there is more than one bathroom in your parents' house, right? because otherwise I'm guessing you aren't going to be getting much privacy in there either.

[ccasanova]

Originally Posted by runner29

I'm pretty sure you would have thought of this, but there is more than one bathroom in your parents' house, right? because otherwise I'm guessing you aren't going to be getting much privacy in there either.

yes, they have one other bathroom. Nobody else other than my parents are used to using that one but on my birth day they will have to make an exception!

[mamaverdi]

I prefer the pool unless I had a very deep bathtub.

[Iowahomeschooler]

I'm guessing no one will be just "hanging out" in the living room if you're in there laboring! If it's nighttime, they would be in bed, if it's during the day, couldn't they go to a mall or something like that for awhile? I can't imagine trying to labor in a regular bathtub! I was uncomfortable in the tub at the hospital and it's probably 1 1/2 - 2 times the size of my bathtub! I'd vote for the pool in the living room and just assume that the family (including the brothers who probably won't want to be anywhere near this event!!) will just skedaddle when the time comes. If you all are living together anyway you must be close enough for them to give you the privacy you need during that time.

Good luck!
Tara

[ColoradoMama]

I've done both, and I would recommend the pool. That is if it is a regular tub - a deep one would be different. As for privacy - kick everyone out.

[elfinbaby]

I tried to do some birthing in our regular size tub last time and it's just not comfortable. I have never been comfortable spending any of my birthing time in the semi-supine position so I'm not sure why I thought that getting in a tub in that position would be any different I ended up in a semi-fetal position until I just had to get out. I got a kiddie pool this time

I personally don't find the tub roomy enough. It wasn't about the depth of the tub for me. It was more the lack of comfortable positions. I hear you about privacy with a pool and I'm not sure what to suggest. This may sound stupid but what if you had a pool in a camping tent or a mosquito net? I don't know - it might work. Just make sure your dh is on task w/towels or a robe so you're not running around outside in the buff

As far as supplies for the pool - I talked to my mw and this is her opinion. Yes - you'll need a hose (garden hose is fine in her opinion, it's what her clients usually use). You'll need a hose adapter (avail. at petstores) for hot water. I got a floating thermometer, too so we can keep the water at the right temp. Fishy net for anything you might need to scoop out. That's all I bought. The good thing about being outside is your cleanup will be exceptionally easy! Just pull the plug!

[sunanthem]

I labored in a claw foot tub and it was a wonderful pain reliever. I wouldnt recommend standard tubs that dont completely cover the belly.
Also I saw a small but deep pool at the dollar general the other day; deep and like maybe 8ft. across w/ a pump for $55. After you used it, then the kids could have a pool for the summers!
Its big, so would probably be better outside, I dont know if one could set it up inside.

AS for the privacy, if you desire that, perhaps you'll give birth at night, or ask family to stay at a friends or something.

[lil_earthmomma]

I'm in the exact same situation as you. I'm staying at my parents house because the midwives I have chosen are in their city, 4 hours away from where I live. They have no avail. bedrooms, so when we stay, we sleep in the living room.

My parents are graciously giving up their bedroom for the birth. Is this something you would be comfortable asking your parents to do? My mom offered saying that she understood that being able to have privacy during labor was so important, and she wanted me to have a comforable "den" to have my baby in.

If you talk to your parents about your desire for privacy and your desire to not disturb the common areas of the house as much as possible, perhaps they too would be willing to share? Maybe not.

As for the tub, I agree with the pp about setting up in the living room and people probably leaving to give you your privacy. Your brothers probably won't want to see you laboring. (Maybe they will tho, I don't know your family dynamic!)