Poll - Water Therapy During Labor and Delivery??

ElTrain5 · February 2014

I'm trying to decide between hospital and birth center, one factor is that birth center=labor tubs a definite, hospital=labor tubs a possibility. So, if you've used a tub or other form of water therapy during labor, please sound off on how effective you felt it was, and if you would use it again.

MrsP419 · February 2014

I labored in the tub with my son and it was SO SO SO much better than my "on land" labor with DD. It still hurts, of course, but the pain was so much more manageable. The only challenge was I progressed SO quickly (probably because he was my 2nd and it was quick labor, not because of the tub) that I ended up with an unplanned water birth because I could not get out. Oh well- I would do it again in a heartbeat! I have to forgo all water birth/labor plans because I have to have the twins in an OR, and it is a bummer.

If a tub is not an option, there are many ways to use water. I always use the shower in early labor at home, and requested intermittent monitoring at the hospital so I could hop in the shower and labor there. Also, alternating between cold and warm washcloths can help. When in the tub with DS, I kept the water pretty hot, and then when I had a contraction, I would turn the jets on and wring a cold washcloth out on my neck. It was extremely helpful.

amwangel · February 2014

I labored and delivered in a water tub. I think it helped with pain, but I can't be sure since it was my first birth! It wasn't a piece of cake (if only birth were easy!!), but it was really nice to have warm water on my belly and deliver a baby in water. It wasn't gross at all. The baby was clean since he was born in water which was sort of nice:

ElTrain5 · February 2014

How would you be able to tell if your water broke in the water?

Mztwilson · February 2014

I delivered on dry land because the tub I was in wasn't big enough to deliver in. It was one of those tubs with the jets. But it real ally helped with labor.

Mztwilson · February 2014

@krptcmschfmkr128 said:

ElTrain5 said:

How would you be able to tell if your water broke in the water?

You're supposed to tell them if you feel a gush, and they'll test stuff from your inner thighs where the residue would remain. At least, that's what they did with my mom.

Not to mention your contractions become a lot more intense once your water breaks.

Lindsleigh77 · February 2014

I used the shower and tub quite a bit while I laboured at home and it really helped with relaxation and pain but once at the hospital there was no option for it.

Carriebear22 · February 2014

FTM hoping to do early labor in warm bath to delay epidural if possible. I know a hot bath has always helped when I've had cysts or severe cramps so I think it might help me through the early stages of labor.

MollySm · February 2014

I used the shower at home to help the pain during the early stages of labor and didn't find it to do anything for my pain. But it did get me clean! Which was a total plus as I didn't shower for who knows how long after having her. :-) To me it still sounds soothing, so I'll probably try again with this one, even though it didn't help last time.

owlcup · February 2014

I used a normal tub with DD. I think it helped? I was having back labor though so it was suuuper painful. I did progress from a 3 to an 8 within while in the tub so I must have relaxed a little.

With DS my labor was too quick to do much of anything except panic. I'm guessing this labor will be similar.

MissBHaven1024 · February 2014

I labored in the tub with DD#1 for a while, but since my water had been broken, my contractions were intense and more than what I could handle, so I got out and got an epidural.

With DD#2, my water had been broken for 3 hours and we were in the process of filling the tub, and my contractions suddenly became 45 seconds apart. I couldn't catch my breath and was starting to feel out of control. I said to hell with the tub and got an epi.

This time, I am taking hypnobirthing classes and am hoping the meditation will help me get through the sudden burst of intensity that has previously had me running to the anesthesiologist! Here's hoping!

amwangel · February 2014

Oooooh! I forgot to add one awesome benefit of water birth - it lessens the pressure on your perineum so you're less likely to need an episiotomy or tear badly. I'll take any chance to help the situaiton down there.

ncbelle · February 2014

I didn't think I'd want to labor or deliver in water so didn't even investigate the option with my first. With my second, I decided to give it a go - OMG heaven! Like actually relaxing.

I sort of delivered in the tub - that was the intent but after a push E got a bit stuck with just her head out so I had to flip to hands and knees on land - yes, I got out of a tub and on to the floor with a baby head just hanging out! One more push and she was out - and that all happened very quickly.

And on the tearing comment…true for me - E was 10 pounds (and as mentioned had a minor shoulder dystocia) but I didn't tear at all. Delivering without the epidural also makes tearing less likely so that may have been a factor as well.

With this baby I may not have the tub for deliver option but plan to at least labor in the tub some.