[ScrappinMom]

Hi Ladies! I'm new here and am so excited to have found this forum! I'm planning my fourth birth this March and it will be my first home birth!

: I can't even begin to say how excited I am! I've been considering birthing in the hot tub but I have a few questions or problems that need to be worked out. I would love your input!

1. The hot tub is outside and it will still be winter here in Canada.

: I'm worried about the air outside being too cold to bring my newborn up out of the water into. I have thought about a solution. My Dad wants to help by putting tarps up all around the deck (and tying them together) and putting a space heater on the patio to see if we can keep the air warmer.

2. Other than the hot tub, my labour/birthing area is through the kitchen and down the stairs. My concern is the midwife's equipment. I don't really know for sure how much a midwife has at a home birth and if I decide not to be in the tub, are we going to be too far away from the equipment? Or should we keep the equipment downstairs and risk being too far away while in the hot tub? I would ask the midwife but I don't actually get to meet her until February as she is a 5 hour drive away (I'm driving that far to have my home birth at my parent's home).

3. Are the chemicals that are in the hot tub too strong for the baby? Are there natural chemicals that we could use, or no chemicals at all?

4. What temperature would you set the hot tub at? I tend to find every hot tub too warm for me and I know that it already should be lowered for the birth. I'm just wondering how low.

5. How difficult is it going to be to clean out after the birth? I won't be taking care of this. My husband and father have already told me that they'll handle it, but I wonder if there are any tips that I can give them?

I really appreciate any comments! Thanks!
Hannah

 

[Limabean1975]

Sorry, I've just skimmed your post, in a rush - but the first thing that stands out to me is the chemicals. I really don't think that's suitable for a newborn.

 

[flowers]

I'm sure ppl will know better details, but my first thought is if there are chemicals its an absolute no go...remember you child will actually be being born into this water!!!!!!

The water should be no higher than 100*

 

[ScrappinMom]

I'm sure ppl will know better details, but my first thought is if there are chemicals its an absolute no go...remember you child will actually be being born into this water!!!!!!

Yes, and I have been doing some research on this subject. My father is quite happy to empty and clean the hot tub, fill it with fresh water every couple of days until I go into labour so that there is only fresh water in it. We have also found some chemicals (for lack of a better word) that are considerably more gentle than the standard. I know there are people who birth in hot tubs, I was just wondering what they did regarding the chemicals. Thanks for your input!

 

[mrsbabycakes]

I've got nothing interesting to say except this is one of my favorite birth stories, and it's in a hot tub. http://www.birthdiaries.com/diary/birth042/

 

[Limabean1975]

Now you've got me wishing my parent still lived at their old house that had an outdoor hottub....though there's no way that thing could have been run without chemicals, nor cleaned easily - it was all wood, no plastic liner. Very chemically sensitive. Also, past history indicates I'm a screamer, I don't think I should do outdoor birth with close neighbouring houses around!

 

[DahliaRW]

I would scrub it REALLY well. There is going to be a lot of chemical residue even if you put fresh water in. I personally would buy a cheap-o inflatable kiddie pool and use that inside instead.

 

[annanicole]

Never birthed in one, but keep this in mind. test the water see how high your bromine or chlorine levels are. Most likely they aren't any higher then that of Tap water. They might even be lower. a very small amount of chlorine is needed to keep the water from going stagnant. but again it's most likely not any higher then that of the level in tap water.

Bromine is pretty mild as well and ensures a 100% sterile environment. It's used for cleaning as well.

I wouldn't be as concerned about the chemicals...it sounds like you have a great support system for having an outdoor birth, which I think would be 100% beautiful. Good luck!!!!!

If you are uber concerned about chemicals try researching salt. Some people use saline to condition and sterilize their hot tub.