Water birth in the hospital?
ByDo most hospitals let you have a water birth? I know the hospital I am delivering in has big tubs in each room, but not sure if you can actually deliver in them.. Also, if the hospital allows it, can the Doctor not allow it? Like refuse to deliver you in the tub? I would love to have a natural delivery, and a water birth sounds great. Just not sure if many Doctors do it, or if it is mostly midwifes. Any advice welcome!
I know about lying on your back being bad. This is my third, and with the others I sat up while pushing… Thanks though!
I live in a small town, there are no birth centers anywhere near me.. 
There is only 1 hospital and no midwifes. I really hope they allow you to deliver in the tub. I did go and look at the hospital and the nurse said that they highly encourage use of the tub, but I didn’t think of asking about delivering in them. (I was just super excited about the private rooms and tubs, and not having to switch rooms after delivery!) Oh I really really hope they let me! Thanks everyone who answered!
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4 Comments
May 15th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
hmm when the time comes I’m going to have a homebirth. I won’t have to deal with hospital BS. Hospitals are for sick people. Most hosp. will not allow you to birth in the tub.. You can use it for pain relief but they will want you all hooked up and in a bed most likely for the birth. If your hosp. has a birthing center you’ll have more luck. Just so you know laying on your back is the worst position for you to give birth in!! Do some research on it it’s pretty interesting.
May 15th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
No..you can find a doctor that will do it..its not that unusual…just call around..or ask your doctor to refer you to someone….
Good choice..beautiful experience..HUGS!!
May 15th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Most hospitals do not let you have a water birth. Many hospitals now have hot tubs/ Jucuzzis that they will allow moms to labor in but they are not often used. To be honest, they just put moms in bed with an IV and don’t allow them much freedom so they end up needing pain meds.
You are smart to look into this now. The hospital policies are very impt. Look into the smaller hospitals. Unlike the big teaching hospitals, they usually allow more freedom to go naturally. Look at the cesarean rates- some are over 50%.
Look into birth centers. I had all of mine but the last one there. I loved having mine there.
Birthing tubs are actually a special tub- not the Jacuzzi. It is set up just for the birth and a few birth centers now have them. I watched a water birth on film and it looked so peaceful.
Look into getting a doula. She will help you with ways to cope and help labor progress quicker.
May 15th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
I think its mostly midwives that do the tub thing. Just start asking your questions early if that is what you want to do. In my area there are a lot of hospitals with all kinds of reputations and opinions. Just remember you will ALWAYS hear more bad than good and the busier the hospital ther more bad stories you will hear. That does not mean it was a bad experience for everyone. I LOVED my epidural and plan on doing the “hospital BS” thing again.