Benefits of Water Birth (from WaterBirth.org)
� Facilitates mobility and enables the mother to assume any position which is comfortable for labor and birth
� Speeds up labor
� Reduces blood pressure
� Gives mother more feelings of control
� Provides significant pain relief
� Promotes relaxation
� Conserves her energy
� Reduces the need for drugs and interventions
� Gives mother a private protected space
� Reduces perineal trauma and eliminates episiotomies
� Reduces cesarean section rates
� Is highly rated by mothers - typically stating they would consider giving birth in water again
� Is highly rated by experienced providers
� Encourages an easier birth for mother and a gentler welcome for baby
Birth Tub Basics
Prior to use, read ALL instructions for your birth tub and follow up on any questions you may have.
We recommend you set up your tub at least once for practice. This will give you an idea of how long it takes to inflate the tub. You may choose to fill it with water to get an idea of how long it takes to fill with water and how deep you should fill it. If you choose to do this, be sure to purchase a second liner for the actual birth.
It takes between 45 minutes and 3 hours to fill the tub, depending on the size of the water heater. The water should not exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, especially if you plan to deliver your baby underwater.
Consider purchasing a waterproof tarp or table cloth to protect your floor and the floor of the pool. You are responsible for ensuring that it is not damaged by punctures, and this is the best way to protect the pool. Also, if there is any sloshing of water over the edges, this will keep your floor dry.
You may want to also consider purchasing a second basic hose for draining. If the water needs to be warmed up by adding additional water, you may want to be able to drain water at the same time it is being refilled.
Draining the pool will take about 40 minutes to 1 hour. Once finished, submerse the drain pump in clean water and detergent (1 tsp of liquid soap to each gallon of water) and run it to clear out any debris.
After the pool is drained, use the liner to discard of any left over water/debris or other disposable accessories. Once the liner is removed, use a water and detergent mixture (1 tsp liquid soap to each gallon of water) to spray down tub and wipe clean.
Allow tub and pump to dry FULLY before packing up into tub/bag/box to store or return (if rental).
If you have any questions regarding the set up or use of the tub, feel free to call or email us at 336-793-9586 or [email protected].