on a related note: laboring in a tub vs. water birth?

tomandcourt

I know this is a LONG way off as I'm not even pregnant yet, but it's open enrollment for the feds and I might need to change my insurance.

I want to have a homebirth next time, and the only provider covered by my insurance does not allow water births. You can labor in the tub, but not actually give birth in it (not sure why). I've found another similar plan that will cover at least a large chunk of an out-of-network provider who will let me give birth in the tub.

So--for those of you who labored in the tub, did it help? Was it tough to get out and give birth in the bed? For those of you who gave birth in the tub, was it better than in the bed and why? Anyone plan to labor in the tub/have a water birth and then change their mind?

I should probably just stuck it up and go with the fully covered provider, but part of the reason I want a homebirth is I don't really want anyone dictating *how* I can give birth and this seems like just that. (Or maybe I'm just contrary?) On the other hand, it's totally possible that when the time comes I won't want to get in the tub at all and this will all have been a total waste.

DCtoLowcountry

I was in a similar situation with DS - I labored in the tub but delivered in the bed. The tub was magic and I did not want to get out, but honestly once I hit transition it didn't matter to me where I was. I think not allowing water births has to do with the risk of infection once membranes are ruptured. For me, not allowing a water birth was not a dealbreaker - though from a pain relief perspective the tub is great, so I can see why it would be for you. Didn't you have a precipitous first-time labor though?

tomandcourt

DCtoLowcountry:

Didn't you have a precipitous first-time labor though?

Yes, I did (isn't it weird the random things we remember about each other's birth stories?). Anyway, why do you think that would make a difference--not enough time for the tub?

DCtoLowcountry

Given my one and only experience with birthing, the tub only made a difference for me before I hit transition. My midwife told me when I got back in the tub after intermittent monitoring, "Let me know when it's not working anymore" for pain relief and sure enough, shortly thereafter I hit transition. If you were going to get there faster, I don't know how beneficial it would be. I hope very beneficial though!

umdbride

I used the tub and went from 5cm - 9cm in it, in about an hour!  I'd say it helped the entire time even though I did notice a difference in the feeling of the contractions as time passed.  They seemed unbearable when I got in the tub (I was asking for an epidural despite my inital desire to go natural), and they changed to feeling more like I needed to push, but not nearly as painful as the early contractions.  I'm not ordinarily a tub person, but the tub was magical for me, and so I completely understand the desire for a water birth (I just wish they did them at hospitals).

Like PP said, I was disappointed to have to get out of the tub, but when I heard I was at 9cm I forgot all about it and just focused on getting the baby out, lol.  I don't know that the tub would have helped with that part of the pain. GL!

JKM416

I just had #3 and was in the tub for a bit.  I wasn't making much progress, but the midwife didn't want me to get in the tub because it might relax me so much that I'd slow down even more.  Finally she allowed it, and it was awesome.  I could have stayed there all day.  However, I'll echo what PPs said about it likely not helping TOO much during transition - because, really, what does?  If I'd been allowed to birth in the tub, I bet it would have been in slightly less pain, and maybe more relaxed, but it wouldn't have alleviated it a whole lot.  So I'd say from my limited experience that being allowed to labor in the tub is probably the more important part.

Also, I learned that I'm 3-for-3 on going through transition lying on my side hanging for dear life on the bed rail.  I thought this time it would be different because midwives give you more freedom of moving and repositioning, but it's just what my body wants to do.  I don't think that would have worked out well in a tub.  So if you can remember back to how you were most comfortable at the "crucial" moments with your first birth, and how a tub would accommodate that, that might help your decision. 

tomandcourt

OK, this is all making me feel much better about the no-waterbirth thing. Maybe I should just stick with my current insurance/homebirth options . . . certainly a lot easier than switching it up.

P.S. I'm probably deluding myself that it's less messy, right?

WinesNotWhines

I don't have any helpful advice, but I wanted to suggest that you XP this on the Natural Birth board if you want to hear more people's experieinces. Good luck with whatever you choose!

tomandcourt

WinesNotWhines:

I don't have any helpful advice, but I wanted to suggest that you XP this on the Natural Birth board if you want to hear more people's experieinces. Good luck with whatever you choose!

I will! 

(I was actually googling about homebirth and found an old post of yours on that board about . . .)

LindseyJW

i did not want to get out of my tub and i'm super glad that i had a MW who "does" waterbirths. i've heard that many other midwives who don't also will "just not notice" that the baby is emerging (even though they are taking very good care of you and ensuring the safety of your baby as it's emerging).

having the baby in the water was a very peaceful experience. especially being a FTM for vaginal birth (i'm sure you'll remember i HBAC'd), it was helpful to remain as relaxed as possible and not have to get up and out of the water, disrupting my zen zone.

i hope you get more responses on the NB board, and post there more often! you don't have to be pregnant! there are lots of natural birth professionals, and professional natural birthers!