Water Laboring, Not Delivery

awolloff

We took our hospital tour yesterday. I feel very comfortable there, which made us feel great. It was both scary and exciting!

 

Anyway, they said they have two rooms with tubs that are first come, first serve for water births. However, she did mention that you can labor in the water, but deliver on the hospital bed. I was curious if anyone has had experience with this?

I'm not interested in a water birth, however, it seems that the water might be nice during the laboring and contractions up to delivery. The thought didn't cross my mind until the nurse giving the tour mentioned it. My husband thinks since we aren't planning on a water birth we shouldn't take the room from someone who might want one. But now that I'm thinking over it, that might be kinda nice.

 Thoughts? Any STMs who did something similar?

persephonerose

I would check with your doctor. I wanted to labor in water and my OB said no, mostly because of my other conditions (blood pressure, RA, Fibro). Also my OB said if I want an epidural that I cannot labor in the tub. 

If you plan to go natural then I would check with your OB to see if he will ok for you to labor in the tub. If you might take the epidural I would not take the room, it is not likely they would move you to another room if you no longer needed/wanted to use the tub. 

 

ACOOK

I was hoping to do that exact thing. My sister labored in the hospital room shower for a long time and she said it was a huge help. The warm water actually took the edge off of the contractions. I can just imagine it would feel fabulous just like a nice warm bath when you have period cramps.

LollyBug18

I tried laboring in the tub last time and it didn't help me much. I think a huge part of that though was the monitoring belt I had to wear. I swear it made my back pain infinitely worse and my OB has already okayed me for intermittent monitoring this time. I also felt like the nurse didn't get the water warm enough to actually be helpful so if I can get a tub room this time, I'll sneak in there and make sure the water is warmer. As for your husband's though, it kind of doesn't make sense since it sounds like your hospital wouldn't allow an actual water birth (many don't). If you think it's something that would help you get through labor, I say ask for the room and give it a try. It's possible that you would be the only one in labor at that time and it'd be silly for you to give up the room for someone else when no one else would show. Do what's best for you and don't worry about anyone else, at least not when you're in labor.

awolloff

Thanks everyone

LissaLee

My hospital does not do water births, but every room is equipped with an extra large whirlpool tub for laboring mothers. I never got to use mine   I'm having a scheduled c/s again and I've been tempted to ask if I can come in early just to use the tub

I have had friends who were able to use their tubs while laboring and most felt it helped. I can definately see your husband's point, but it wouldn't hurt to ask about the availability of the rooms when you get there.

CurlyQ284

My hospital has one in each room. My SIL had my nephew this weekend at the same hospital and labored in the tub for some of the time. She said it helped a ton with labor pain and she was able to have the natural childbirth she wanted. She didn't have a labor BIRTH though, she had the baby on the bed.

alanap

My thoughts are that tubs are more important for women who are shooting for a med/intervention-free birth, so if this is not a big deal for you then I agree with your husband to free it up for someone else that has more of a desire for it.

shutupanddance07

In my state I'm not allowed to deliver in the water. I can labor in the water, and I can push a little, but I have to get out when I crown. The birth center I'm using has a tub in every room, so I don't feel guilty about taking up a tub for someone else if I decide to get in and out.