laboring in the tub

• 08-21-2009 10:22 AM

  scarlet_willow Joined on 12-14-2007 James 23 July '08, Henry 26 Oct '09 Posts 977

  laboring in the tub Reply Contact So I had my first conversation about labor and birth yesterday with the midwife and she highly recommended using the tub this time.  I think I'm going to go for it!  I have a few questions though maybe you ladies can answer.  What do you wear in the tub?  I'm going to be at the hospital, but they have a good sized tub in the bathroom.  I have a 2 piece maternity suit.  Do I wear that without the bottoms?  My husband will be there, but also my mom and sister.  They've already seem everything when I had my first son haha but that was just for the end when I pushed.  What do you do while in the tub?  Do you just sit there, move around, crawl?  What types of positions do you get in, not just for pushing, but for laboring.  Do you have to get out after your water breaks?  Since this will be in a hospital, do they have standards about those things?  Should i worry about the cleanliness of the bathtub?  I never take baths in hotels, only showers, because the thought of soaking in a tub other people have showered in grosses me out.  I'm a neat freak :(  Any other advice for a first time bath tub laborer?  hehe

• 08-21-2009 6:15 PM

  In reply to

  TawniAline Joined on 03-25-2004 Camby, Indiana Posts 699

  Re: laboring in the tub Reply Contact some of these are good things to ask your dr- but as far as laboring- I found during the more intense portions of labor I found one upright position that worked for me and spent a lot of time resting in between and then braced myself during the contraction breathing as deeply as possible.. so I didnt move much when things were intense.. I'd sa before that i'd be up and walking around versus in the tub... the hospital I went to had an out of pocket expense for using the tubs that you had to pay ahead of time (whether you got to use the tub or not for having it ready) and that was to cover the expense of the liner (so that addresses the cleanliness issue there) and as far as your water breaking- that's precisely the reason I opted not to use the tub in the hospital- my hospital had a policy that required your membranes to be intact to use the tub.. and my water generally breaks really early on.. so.. yeah.. ask all that stuff before you get too excited about it... good luck and I hope it works out for you :) (oh- and I'd labor in whatever you're comfortable in.. there's no rules in terms of that :) i'd say labor butt naked if you want lol) :)

• 08-21-2009 8:42 PM

  In reply to

  BoldBeautifulBirth Joined on 11-08-2005 Puget Sound Area, WA Posts 625

  Re: laboring in the tub Reply Contact Are you planning to only labor in the tub, or to have and actual water birth? If you're planning a water birth chances are the tub provided is large enough to accomodate any position you'd like to get it (mostly I see women on all fours, depending on water depth, hanging half in the water, half over the side of the tub, sitting, and side lying). Getting in the water after your water breaks is safe... whether the hospital allows it or not is up to them. If you're planning a water birth then OF course you'll be getting in after your water breaks. ...I can't remember the rest of the questions from your post... hopefully what I said helps a little though!

• 08-21-2009 8:54 PM

  In reply to

  Dave's Buttercup Joined on 06-20-2008 Victor Colby Born 100% Naturally 1/12/2009 Posts 105

  Re: laboring in the tub Reply Contact I would hope they have a liner for the tub at a hospital. Mybirthing center has a cleaning crew that comes in after each birth and does the hoe-down throw-down in cleaning mode. My midwives allow you to be in the tub until push time. I personally didn't like the tub because I felt like I couldn't do much in there to deal with the contractios. Some women love the tub, its all in how you feel about it I guess. I much rather be on my feet doing the labor dance LOL! But who knows maybe I will give it another try next pregnancy! So I don't know if that helps at all, I hope it answered something LOL!

• 08-22-2009 9:49 PM

  In reply to

  verybusymom Joined on 08-17-2005 DFW, TX Posts 149

  Re: laboring in the tub Reply Contact I am having my first water birth this time around also!!! I am very excited but had a lot of the same questions you do. i am doing a HB so my situ is a little different but... Like you, I think I will wear a bathing suit top w/ no bottoms. I am thinking a triangle bikini top that way I can be covered during L&D, but can move the top over easily after the baby is born for skin to skin contact & to initiate BF right after delivery. I may end up being totally nude but if your in a hospital privacy will be more of an issue for you so i think the bathing suit top would work great.  I wondered about positions while laboring too. I watched lots of videos of WB and most of the women I've seen are either sidelying or on all fours. I saw one woman that looked like she was swim-crawling around the tub :) whatever works right! My MW said I can be in whatever position feels best for me w/ 1 condition: after the baby starts crowning (face already delivering) my bottom must stay completely submerged or I have to come out of the water for delivery. As for cleanliness: I am a germaphobe (borderline OCD and I am not exaggerating). So I totally feel you on that one. If its a true birth tub it comes w/disposable liners that are only used once (thats what my MW will be using for my birth). If its a built in jucuzi tub I don't know if they have liners for those. I am sure that the hospital cleans/sanitizes them for each birth. If it would make you feel better you can request that they clean it in your presence so you know it was done, I would have to do that or I would not be able to be comfortable in it. As for your water breaking that depends on your provider and the hospital. Discuss it w/your MW and maybe the hospital liason before hand to work it out. When are you due? I'm due feb 9th. good Luck with your WB :)

• 08-23-2009 3:21 PM

  In reply to

  NoLongerDesolate Joined on 02-23-2005 North LA Posts 527

  Re: laboring in the tub Reply Contact I'm so excited for you Catie. I can't wait to hear your birth story. I've never labored in the water (though I'd love to) and I hear it's the "midwifes epidural." I could see how. Even though I'm not in labor I feel so soothed getting into my big soaking tub at night. Soothes muscles and takes the weight off. To answer your questions: IF I could do a water birth I would wear the bathing suit top or a sport's bra. I woulnd't want to wear any kind of gown or shirt that would get wrapped around me and in the way. What you want to do in the tub will probably be instinctual. Leaning back, sitting up, hands and knees. Doesn't matter. Whatever feels best. Just keep the belly under the water for max pain relief. NO, you do not have to get out when your water breaks. It makes no diff whatsoever. But hospital policy may require it so I'd definately check on that. Cervical exams after the water breaks is by far worse for you than being down in the water (infection factor). Unlike you and other poster, I am so NOT a germ phobe. If they say it's been cleaned and sanitzed and it LOOKS clean then I'm good. So I really can't anwer that question. Again, I'd talk to your hospital about that. Other advice: ENJOY your birth. -Camille

• 08-31-2009 1:43 PM

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  hcjfctc Joined on 01-24-2008 Keira Joy born 10/19/2009~Virginia Beach, VA Posts 390

  Re: laboring in the tub Reply Contact Hey, I didn't know you wanted a water birth. :P Mine will be at home, but I'll just probably wear my belly band as a tube top cuz there will be pics taken and I'm too modest to have EVERYTHING be seen, but with the belly band I can immediately pull it down for breast feeding once pics are done. As for positions, I'll probably do whatever is most comfortable and what I can be most relaxed in and then squating for pushing.

• 10-28-2009 12:44 PM

  In reply to

  Cara2454751 Joined on 11-07-2007 Lincoln, Ca Posts 131

  Re: laboring in the tub Reply Contact hcjfctc: Hey, I didn't know you wanted a water birth. :P Mine will be at home, but I'll just probably wear my belly band as a tube top cuz there will be pics taken and I'm too modest to have EVERYTHING be seen, but with the belly band I can immediately pull it down for breast feeding once pics are done. As for positions, I'll probably do whatever is most comfortable and what I can be most relaxed in and then squating for pushing. What a great idea about the belly band!!!!! Never thought of that one!!! :)

• 10-31-2009 8:26 PM

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  ~willowtree~ Joined on 04-29-2009 Posts 287

  Re: laboring in the tub Reply Contact my previous two were home water births. with the first, i couldn't STAND clothing, so took it all off and did not notice or care who was there. with the second, it never got that overwhelming, so i ended up with a tank top on the whole time. that worked out well, because we had roomates then, college-age guys who involuntarily came running in when they heard the baby cry. we were all really good friends, and i truly didn't care, but it was less embarrassing for them. and maybe i am totally weird, but i plan on saving that tank top to show her when she is older..... both births happened with me sort of squatting in the water.  i think the position in the water will come naturally to you----though i have gotten a few nice ideas for the positioning of support people or partners from water birth videos. with both mine, i labored just sort of lying in the water, supported from behind at times by my husband, who sat on the edge of the tub with his feet in the water (not sure if that would be allowed in a hospital).

• 11-01-2009 10:07 PM

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  *Christa* Joined on 09-06-2005 Posts 462	Re: laboring in the tub Reply Contact I bought a skirt of this website..... http://www.birthinbinsi.com/index.htm Clothing made for birth.  Kind of spendy, but someone put it to me this way.......you buy the perfect dress for your wedding day, so why not spend a little on a skirt for your perfect birth.