Bonny

Hello! Hydrotherapy has been shown to be highly effective for increasing relaxation and in some studies decreasing need for pharmacologic pain relief measures. There are studies which show decreased lengths of labor as well (only if provided after 5 cms - if given earlier it can actually slow progress). Alot has been published in the UK re. waterbirths-every birthing unit is required to have a tub available to laboring/birthing women. There is quite a bit published, as this has been a hot topic for a while. One of the biggest concerns has been re. infection. That is were the concern about jacuzzis comes in. It's more difficult to clean the jets/hoses. This seems to be only a concern if you plan to do births in a tub. There are good protocols in place (re. cleaning, monitoring of moms and babies etc) with excellent results re. rates of infection/outcomes, if just laboring in water. I've never seen anything in the literature about amniotic fluid embolism from tub bubbles. There's an excellent contact here in the US for hydrotherapy/waterbirth info including tub rental/purchase which is: Global Maternal/Child Health Association &/o Waterbirth International. I've misplaced their address/phone but they may have a web page. Located in Oregon I think. Many OB conferences have tubs on display now, lots of companies making them. There are lots of conciderations (ie. weight bearing of the floor, emptying time, how deep the mom can get, supportive devices, temp. control etc) Hope this helps. Bonny