Hospital Tubs

RosyDoula · 06-26-2006, 10:10 PM

I'm new at being a doula, and I don't know if it is just me but it seems the tub hasn't worked much at all for relaxation/pain relief. They say it works at first but then goes away after about 5 minutes. I try to make sure the water is covering their whole belly and dim down the lights and shut the door, but is this nromal or can I do more to help?

newbirth · 06-26-2006, 11:22 PM

Have you tried the shower? If the shower has a removable nozzle, it can be great for relief, too. Take the nozzle and direct at the lower back. I went from 4 to transition like this with my UC and didn't even feel the contractions until I got out (bummer the water heater ran out

).

Other labors of mine: #2 water birth, barely felt contractions in the pool. Fully dilated, and I was still waiting for 'real' labor to kick in.

#3 tried using the bath tub for relief, but it didn't work as well as previously. Much larger baby, over 2 lbs bigger.

So different women/babies/labors will make for different experiences.

syncreo · 06-27-2006, 09:06 AM

Hi,
I don't know what the hospital birth tubs are like where you are but I find that they often don't provide enough room for a woman's belly to be completely submerged unless she is on her back or side lying and it is all still cramped. This could be why they aren't finding much relief along with what Bekah said about different women different experiences. Some women love water for the birth and others don't. I like to remind my clients that even though they may think they really want to be in water they should prepare that they may change their mind in labour - just like with everything else.

If it is deep enough to use different positions you could try having them switch positions once they find it isn't as effective.

Cheers, Shawna

fearlessbirth · 06-27-2006, 09:34 AM

Of the 2 moms I've had in the shower, one leaned against the wall with the water hitting her back..the second one swayed her hips and turned so the water was on her back for about 5 minutes, then her belly. While her belly was getting the water, her friend would rub her hips and do counterpressure.

Also, like the others said, every labor and birth is different. The first mom got NO relief from the water. But she went from 7 cm-10 cm in 30 minutes and was in hard core transition and pushy during that time. The other mom was in active labor but still coping and resting in between.

It ALL just depends. I'm sure you were great! When all else fails, just ask mom what feels best. Even if it doesn't 'make sense' she knows best.

tlcdoula · 06-27-2006, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosyDoula

I'm new at being a doula, and I don't know if it is just me but it seems the tub hasn't worked much at all for relaxation/pain relief. They say it works at first but then goes away after about 5 minutes. I try to make sure the water is covering their whole belly and dim down the lights and shut the door, but is this nromal or can I do more to help?

I have never had a problem with the tub not working for hours at a time. In fact those mamas that get in do not want to get out but typically the nurses will force them out.

tlcdoula · 06-27-2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syncreo

Hi,
I don't know what the hospital birth tubs are like where you are but I find that they often don't provide enough room for a woman's belly to be completely submerged unless she is on her back or side lying and it is all still cramped. This could be why they aren't finding much relief along with what Bekah said about different women different experiences. Some women love water for the birth and others don't. I like to remind my clients that even though they may think they really want to be in water they should prepare that they may change their mind in labour - just like with everything else.

If it is deep enough to use different positions you could try having them switch positions once they find it isn't as effective.

Cheers, Shawna

We are lucky because the tubs in the hospitals around me are HUGE.

everydaymiracles · 06-27-2006, 09:50 AM

I have attended a home waterbirth where the client swore by the water, BUT she wishes she had gotten in sooner! I have had clients use the tub at hospital births also - the local hospital has Parker tubs (they are upright with delorien (remember back to the future?) doors. After mum is in and doors are closed the bath tub reclines (cranked by nurse, partner or me) and the client is able to recline or side lie. I usually cover mum with a wet towel (so they don't get cjilled by the bits outside the water!) and use an emesis basin to ladle water over the mum's belly. It is rhythmic and appears to be soothing to mum. I had one birth where mum was in the tub at home (LARGE tub where she was completely submerged except for her head) and I used a milk jug (is it only in Southern Ontario that the milk comes in bags?) to ladle the water over her belly. As soon as we got the the hospital and she was admitted, etc she went in their tub. It was not quite as deep, but she was also much more active in labour (ctx 3 min apart rather than 5-6min at home) so she didn't feel as relieved. Hope that helps! R

Jilian · 07-16-2006, 11:37 AM

I think it depends on the person, the baby's position, and the stage of labor. During my labor I went into the shower and got out after 10 mins or so because the pain was getting real intense and I was getting so hot in the shower. I ended up going into transition shortly after getting out. My first client HATED the tub and we tried it twice, her baby ended up being breech. My last client LOVED the tub and stayed in there for a long time. She got out about 10 mins before her son was born.

tlcdoula · 07-16-2006, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jilian

I think it depends on the person, the baby's position, and the stage of labor. During my labor I went into the shower and got out after 10 mins or so because the pain was getting real intense and I was getting so hot in the shower. I ended up going into transition shortly after getting out. My first client HATED the tub and we tried it twice, her baby ended up being breech. My last client LOVED the tub and stayed in there for a long time. She got out about 10 mins before her son was born.

My last client loved the tub too, and I was so disappointed because after her being in there about 45 minutes they made her get out so her doctor could break her water and then told her she would have to wait for them to refill if she wanted to get back in. The crappy thing was that as soon as her bag was ruptured she was done for - went from comfy tub to intense contractions with no coping mechanism other than being told to wait 20 minutes for the tub to fill. In those twenty minutes she decided on an epidural - I was so bummed!!!! I think she was in the end too.

Jilian · 07-19-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula

My last client loved the tub too, and I was so disappointed because after her being in there about 45 minutes they made her get out so her doctor could break her water and then told her she would have to wait for them to refill if she wanted to get back in. The crappy thing was that as soon as her bag was ruptured she was done for - went from comfy tub to intense contractions with no coping mechanism other than being told to wait 20 minutes for the tub to fill. In those twenty minutes she decided on an epidural - I was so bummed!!!! I think she was in the end too.

What a bummer! Why didn't they just leave her alone in her tub if she was happy?!!!

tlcdoula · 07-19-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jilian

What a bummer! Why didn't they just leave her alone in her tub if she was happy?!!!

Because the doctor gave her a line about how her water needed to be broken to see if there is meconium in the water because it could harm her baby. I was so not happy. Afterwards the doctor said "good now we will progress." Yep, she progressed right to an epidural.

FairFlowers · 07-19-2006, 10:26 PM

"(is it only in Southern Ontario that the milk comes in bags?)"

No, it comes that way in Brazil, too. ;-)

From what I've seen (and experienced), water really makes the contractions a little less intense and overwhelming. But not everybody likes it. Part of that may simply be the hard surface of the tub or not being in a comfortable position.

I'm not sure how many clients of yours have used water during labor, but don't write it off yet. And your clients will still definitely need your encouragement and help with breathing and relaxation. The water doesn't do everything.

Diane

RosyDoula · 07-30-2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairFlowers

I'm not sure how many clients of yours have used water during labor, but don't write it off yet. And your clients will still definitely need your encouragement and help with breathing and relaxation. The water doesn't do everything.

Yeah, I agree, thats really true. Thanks for pointing that out to me, it was really helpful.

RosyDoula · 07-30-2006, 03:07 PM

Thanks also everyone for your suggestions! They helped me out alot.

MindfulBirth · 09-14-2006, 09:26 PM

I remember my own MW with my second birth telling me that if you want to speed up contractions and get things going..you get in the shower. If you want to relieve pain..you get in the tub. This bit of wisdom worked for me to get things going and then relax.