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 Is waterbirth safe?
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| A huge number of benefits have been attributed to laboring and/or delivering in water. There have been some risks that have been suggested, but the evidence thus far has not backed these claims up. |
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How does the baby breathe? |
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| When a baby is born underwater there are several physical mechanisms at work that prevent the baby from breathing. Once the baby face reaches the air he/she is stimulated to breathe. There are also other reflexes (such as the Dive Reflex) that also prevent the baby from breathing underwater. There is no reason to be concerned; however, because the baby is still receiving his/her oxygen through the umbillical cord. |
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When should the baby be taken out of the water? |
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| You should gently lift your baby out of the water within the first minute of birth. This will ensure that your baby is still getting oxygen from the umbillical cord while making the transition to breathing on its own. |
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What should the temperature of the water be? |
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| The water should be kept at a warm temperature. We recommend between 97-100F. This is near the temperature that the baby is used to while in utero. |
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How do I keep the water warm? |
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| Our birth tubs are equipped with heaters that allow you to maintain the temperature throughout your labor. This has been one of the most sought-after features of our birth tubs. |
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How deep should the water be? |
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| The tubs that I rent are deep enough to completely cover your belly while in labor. I also include a cushion to sit on as I personally wanted a much needed rest after I delivered my daughter and the tub is just a bit too deep to sit in. |
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When should I get into the tub? |
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| We recommend that a mom waits to get into the tub until after she has established a regular strong contraction pattern, although it is really up to what feels best for the mom. Sometimes moms who enter the tub too early relax so completely that it can slow or stop their labor. |
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Will I be able to switch positions? |
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| That is one of the best aspects of birthing in water. Changing positions is easy and the warm water is usually relaxing and will help you find a comfortable position. You can squat, kneel, float on your back, float on your belly, or sit against your partner. |
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Can my husband/partner be with me in the tub? |
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| Yes. The Aquadoula tub is large enough to accomodate both you and your partner (or midwife, if needed). |
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Can I drink water while in the tub? |
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| Yes. It is important to drink water while you are in labor to maintain your hydration. We don't recommend you drink the water in the pool, but a tall glass of refreshing water is always a good idea. |
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How do I keep the water clean? |
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Start with fresh clean tap water. To keep the water clean and bacteria free, we suggest adding either a ½ cup of bleach or 2 teaspoons of brominating concentrate every other day (every 48 hours). An alternative solution is to drain the tub and replace with fresh clean water every other day.
Standing water, especially warm water does breed bacteria. The treatment of the water is absolutely necessary to prevent bacteria growth.
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What if debris gets in the tub while in labor? |
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| Any debris that is noted can be removed with a simple fish net. Additionally, it is possible to change the water, although that isn't usually necessary. |
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Is there risk of infection for me or my baby? |
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| No. The amount of water dilutes any bacteria that might be present in the area. "Dilution is the Solution to Pollution". Additionally, you will have your own liner and the birth tub is extensively cleaned between uses. Studies have shown that with proper cleaning of tubs waterbirth does not promote infection. |
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Can anyone have a waterbirth? |
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| Any woman with a normal pregnancy should be able to have a waterbirth. In most hospitals that allow waterbirth, there are certain restrictions that can prohibit a woman's desire for a waterbirth. Waterbirth is generally contraindicated for the following conditions (although you should consult with your provider): diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, very high blood pressure, severe pre-eclampsia, if your baby has not been growing well during the pregnancy, active herpes sores near your vagina, a previous c-section, any bleeding during your last few weeks of pregnancy, if your labor was induced, if you are under the effects of pethadine (or similar drug), twins or multiples, if your baby is breech, if your baby is premature, or if your pushing stage becomes too long. Additionally, you may be asked to leave the tub if you feel faint, you start bleeding, or your baby's heartbeat indicates that there might be a problem. |
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Will my insurance cover a birth tub rental? |
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So far, very few insurance companies will reimburse the costs of a birth tub rental; however, we encourage you to check into your specific company as a few carriers recognize that the cost of a birth tub is far less than the cost of an epidural or pain medications.
Some mothers have found that having a prescription for the birth tub from their doctor helped secure reimbursement. We can also write your invoice to designate that we suppiled you with a durable medical good used for pain management. |
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How heavy is the birth tub? |
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When filled with 100 gallons of water, the water would weigh 834 pounds. The weight of the pool itself is approximately 50 pounds, so altogether the combined weight is less than 900 pounds.
You'll have to add in the weight of the mother, daddy and baby, too!
Many hospital engineers have asked if the floor of the hospital could support the weight of the pool. When put into the perspective that the weight of the birth pool is equivalent to four large nurses standing in a circle, they chuckle and drop the argument.
Engineers have told us that the weight of the pool is a transient weight - one that is not going to be there very long, as opposed to a permanent weight.
The load bearing weight has been calculated to be 78 lbs per square foot. There has never been an incident of the weight of the pool causing any damage to any hospital, home or birth center.
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How easy is it to set up one of your birth tubs? |
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| Both the AquaDoula and the Gentle Birth Choice pools are very easy to set up. Most parents express to us that it was easier than they had anticipated. |
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What happens if I don't get to use the tub? |
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We realize that the baby is the one who decides its own birth date, so we do try to make our policies as flexible as possible. Here is what you can expect regarding renting our tubs:
If you change your mind or your circumstances change and you cancel your reservation before you receive/pick up the tub, your rental fees are refundable less the $100 deposit.
If you have the baby before you receive the tub, your rental fees are refundable less the $100 deposit.
If you receive the pool kit and have it in your home or hospital waiting for baby, but never open the box because of some complication or change of plans, the whole fee is still applicable. There are no refunds in this case. The example that we use is if someone rented a car, took it home, and parked it in the driveway for a week. Upon return, there would be no mileage, but you would still be obligated to pay the rental fee. The same scenario applies here. We can't give that pool to anyone else while it is in your possession.
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What items do I need to provide? |
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You will need to provide your own garden hose to fill and drain the tub, a fish net for removing any debris, and possibly an extension cord so the heater can be plugged into an outlet.
We provide the pool, a thermometer, and your own personal disposible liner. |
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What do we do after we have finished using the pool? |
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For hospital births, call us immediately so we can come clean and remove the tub from the hospital.
For homebirths, we request that you use the submersible pump to drain the water and then throw away the disposible liner.
If you have opted for the pick-up service, please call us right away and we will arrange to come finish cleaning the tub, pack it up, and take it away.
If you are returning the tub on your own, please follow the cleaning instructions and carefully pack all of the parts back into the container and call us to arrange drop-off.
Either way, we would love to hear from you within two days of your birth. It's especially good to get feed-back from our parents and testimonials about how the pool helped during their delivery.
Additionally, if you would like to have a photo gallery for your baby, please send us some .jpg images to alisa@birth-tub-rentals.com We'd be happy to show off your new bundle of joy. |
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How soon should I reserve a birth tub/pool? |
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| We encourage you to reserve your dates as soon as possible. We generally fill up our calendar quite quickly and those who have waited until the end of their pregnancy are usually out of luck. We require a signed rental agreement and $100 non-refundable deposit to secure your dates. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
