Tubs for labor

My only experience with a tub is the inflatable one that one of our midwives uses. Let me tell you, we dread when a patient wants to use it. I love natural births but I don't see the comfort in sitting in what is basically a child's swimming pool on a HARD floor. Also, by the time it is filled it is COLD, no way to keep it warm. It is then our responsiblity to drain the thing and disinfect it and the hoses. Preventing falls from the water on the floor is a big issue as well. I have never seen anyone actually spend more than a few minutes in the thing. While I believe water would be very soothing under the right circumstances, improvising falls so short of providing that comfort that I feel the midwife should just honestly tell what our facility has available. Now, a hard-sided tub with jets sounds more promising but have never seen such a thing.

The hospital that I delivered my boys in had whirlpool tubs for labor and it was wonderful. I spent quite a bit of time in the tub both times. I wasn't going for the whole natural birth thing, but it still postponed the epidural and atleast took my mind off just sitting and laboring.

Hello! I work in a small rural hospital and we use the AQUAEZE. We call it "the boat" because it kind of looks like a big boat! It has enough room that dad/support person can get in it if they want. Ours doesnt have jets but it does have a handheld nozzle that you can use w/ varying speeds/streams. Its portable and hooks up fairly easy to the sink in each labor room. Our maintence had to install some hookups, but dont think it was very hard. We can't deliver in the tub ( hospital protocol). We don't seem to have a problem keeping the temp ( about 99-101 i think). Our mom's love it and most request it as soon as they can. If you have anymore questions, ask me or email me!

Just because the Waterbirth International tubs are called birth tubs doesn't mean you can't just labor in them and then get out. I don't see the problem ??? The spa in a box sounds like exactly what you are looking for. I'd call Barbara Harper at WI. Water birth/labor is fantastic. most have heaters in them to maintain the water temp. You put in warm and it keeps it warm, You can't put in cold and crank it up, it's not a stove PM me if you like.