Easterners, Waterbirth?

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Is there anyone who's hospital does waterlabor or waterbirth pretty commonly? In CA this is rare at best. In talking to other nurses they tell me that back east it's much more accepted/routine.

I've been asked to write an article on water in labor and would be interested in your experiences re: caregiver acceptance of this choice, policies, maternal satisfaction etc.

:heartbeat:heartbeat

Anyone know how often this is done in Chicagoland?

I am a true Pisces and feel best when floating in water. I take baths everyday instead of showers and have been known to lay in the water and fall asleep for hours! I use baths to ease aches and pains on a regular basis, and to relax when I'm upset about something.

I've always thought about laboring in water - not sure about the actual birth - and wondered if it actually helps some women through the pain? I really do NOT want an epidural. When I have babies I'd really like to do a lot of walking around and I definitely want to try a Jacuzzi. With my mindset and a decent pain tolerance, is this possible?

Everyone I know tells me I'm crazy.

I know West Suburban MEdical Center does them. That's the only one I know for sure though.

Editing to add, I actually didn't like the tub with either of my labors, but I walked around for hours and it really helped me. Getting in bed is the worst, I don't know how anyone goes med free in bed.

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I live in S. LA county CA,

We definitely have waterbirths in homes and birth centers with midwives, and ONE hospital that does them with the CNMS IF the parents pay for the one on once care fee 1200$ for the CNM to be there laboring with them.

I know another hosptial that put in jacuzzi tubs but now reconfigured the unit so they are in the postpartum rooms! no one ever uses 'em.

Some people have been sucessful in navigating the red tape to bring a rental tub tub into the hosps. but only a few to my knowledge.

Gompers, definitely! If you want a waterbirth do it! check out http://www.waterbirth.org. Go find some waterbirthers to talk to :)

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

Gompers, I *loved* laboring in the water with my second (not an option with #1).

With my third, I got in but it just didn't work the same way, I just couldn't get comfortable that time for some reason. That time it helped me to keep going from technique to technique until he was born (I walked, layed in bed (was the WORST!!), walked more, had certain music that I brought, walked some more, used birth ball, moaned into my dh's chest toward the end, got in the bath, etc. etc.).

The hospitals in my town both have regular size jacuzzi tubs in each room. During my preceptorship, I didn't see anyone get in the tub or walk AT ALL - but it also wasn't suggested so there ya go. Patients check in, get in bed, get on the monitor and never move again generally.

The place where I did my rotation had more walkers and tub users and one midwife said during a delivery... we'll let her relax in the tub and it the baby comes, it comes...

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at our birthing center they sometimes call the tub an aquadural!our patients labor and birth in the tub[low risk]. most enjoy some cant stand it . they are helped out before the placenta is delivered. for some couple the dad may get in also. we have a few videos from the center that we show to our clients who are curious about it and show them the video[with the couples permission who gave us the tape to use] most moms are glad they used the jacuzzi and think they couldnt get by without it.

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by the way,i am in the mid atlantic region

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I was going to do waterbirth in a cattle trough with assist from a midwife but I ended up going to the hospital and having an epidural.

I absolutely love water, though, and I think this is an excellent idea.

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anyone here who could help me about Underwater Childbirth?

i mean,the site aside from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_birth..

tnx a lot,,,,,

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In Tennessee we have 3 birth centers and all of them practice water births. I have attended numerous ones and it has been a beautiful experience every time. Lots of moms choose to labor in the water and then get out at the time of delivery, while others opt to stay in. I have often heard that water is mother natures epidural and I certainly believe it. Even when we labor with moms at home, I get them into the shower or tub, It really seems to reduce the intensity of the pain.

I am very surprised that this is not practiced in California!!!!

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Specializes in OB.

I am in Indiana and we use a Jacuzzi for labors.

I have seen it have an amazing pain-relieving effect for some women. One who was downright panicky with the pain before getting in the tub and once in the water, relaxed, began breathing calmly, and dilated to complete quickly. I think it is definitely worth trying.

Every woman and every labor is different. What works once, may not work the next time. So many people say that laying in bed is the worst way to labor but with my first, it was the only way I felt remotely comfortable or in control.

I think the more "drug-free" options that are available, the better!!

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Specializes in DOU.

How does it work for water births? Do the physicians and nurses actually climb into the water to assist? :confused:

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In the births I have attended, usually the dad or the partner is in the water with the mom. When the baby is born, it is then placed on the mothers chest and wrapped in warm, wet blankets

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Am all for waterbirths. We have tubs for moms to labor in but very few if any actually deliver there (though I am not opposed to that).

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