Planing a natural birth

Moore2love2014

So I am planing on going medication free. The hospital I will be delivering at however does not have a birthing tub so I will have to use a shower. Has anyone ever used the shower during labor, and does it work as good as the tub would?

jordans_wife

I was in and out of the shower at home before heading to the hospital with both my med free births. I had a jacuzzi tub I used with my first but found the pain too intense where I couldn't relax enough in there. I preferred being able to lay down during transition when things got really narly vs being in a tub where if I completely let go I'd drown. Just my personal preference. I'd much prefer being in and out of a shower but that's what I find most comforting when I'm sick or in pain.

jrouge12

**I mean this in a fun, just being a little snarky, don't take it the wrong way, way:**

I'm planning a natural birth too. Just with drugs. Because I don't think any of us can claim a true "natural birth" unless we were going to squat down on a pile of fresh dry leaves we put in our cave.

Again just having fun. If I was trying for med free, I think I would prefer a shower over tub. Things wash away in showers... ;;)

blondiii428

I did a natural birth with DS and had a tub in my hospital room that I barely touched.  I got it in it earlier in the day when the contractions were mild, but once they broke my water and it got real I wanted nothing to do with the tub and I preferred walking around or laying in bed.

jeanbug12

I had a med free birth at a hospital with dd. They don't have tubs and I am pretty sure even if they did, I wouldn't have wanted to use one. I am personally not a bath person, the idea of sitting in a tub of water while laboring sounds awful to me! I don't think I would have liked a shower during labor either. I was mostly in and around the bed, squatting at the side of the bed a lot during contractions. Maybe you could look into a birthing ball or bar as an alternative.

enkb

Also planning a natural birth, but I'll be at home with access to both. This is my first so not sure what I will want at the time, but I think either will bebeneficial. I know several people who were excited for a water birth, then found when they were in labor it wasn't really what they wanted. I wouldn't worry aboutnot having one, use what you've got! Just make sure you are in a place that is supportive of natural birth so you don't have to fight to be 'allowed' to use a shower/change positions etc when you are in labor.

hvwitham

Had 2 natural births and my tub at home was great. I was in and out all day, but I love baths. By the time I got to the hospital I was too far along to care or use one.

tdart14

I pushed my child out my vagina. That's natural right? Was suppose to push them out a different hole?

Hipshaker

I'm planning on being in the bath tub/shower at home until I have to head in to hospital. I've always going the shower more comforting though. But I hate having wet hair since it's so thick. So maybe I won't care to. I'm a vbac. So I will have to wear a fetal monitor in hospital, so no water. But they do have water proof monitors on order! Let's hope they get there in time before d day. I want to avoid any drug interventions and have a vbac.

CBWifey

I had a med free birth with my daughter and stayed home till 2-3 minutes apart. Got to hospital at 7cm. I used the shower at home for 3 hours. I have, like others, always found the shower more comforting. I'm not sure about a tub. They now have the option at our hospital which is cool, so I may try. I then used the shower at the hospital for the rest of the 3 hours I was there till I wanted to push. I would think a tub of water would get chilly as well? I think having a shower no matter what will be helpful to you.

jencook25

tdart14 said:

I pushed my child out my vagina. That's natural right? Was suppose to push them out a different hole?

Lol, I never thought of it this way before! As much as I'm planning a 'natural' birth myself, i think 'med free' is a much better description. Pretty sure @tdart14 has a good point! It would make the alternative 'un-natural', which is not true and definitely a negative connotation!

Actually, I think the word 'planning' is a bit of a joke too. Perhaps 'praying for, hoping for, or fingers crossed that baby cooperates with' are better synonyms..!

fishsticks-n-custard

tdart14 said:

I pushed my child out my vagina. That's natural right? Was suppose to push them out a different hole?

We don't poop them out? That's what my 8 year old niece told me. She presented herself as an expert!

jencook25

MammaDoc said:

tdart14 said:

I pushed my child out my vagina. That's natural right? Was suppose to push them out a different hole?

We don't poop them out? That's what my 8 year old niece told me. She presented herself as an expert!

Surely your niece has her wires crossed @MammaDoc ?! My 4yo niece told me just last week that babies come out of the scar on mummy's tummy! Makes complete sense! bless them!

PedsIsHardcore

Another option would be getting an inflatable jacuzzi so its portable so it is an option for you.