Three Ways To Prepare For A Water Birth At Home
As your pregnancy due date approaches and you think about how you wish to give birth, the idea of a water birth may be something that appeals to you. Many midwives have extensive experience guiding new mothers through this process and will be able to not only help you on the day that you give birth, but also share a lot of information about water births with you in the meantime. While some women opt to have water births at their local hospital, you also have the option of going through this process at home. There are many reasons to favor a home-based water birth. Here are some ways that you'll want to prepare for it.
Obtain A Tub And Liner
You might immediately think about giving birth in your bathtub, but the reality is that these tubs are rarely large enough to accommodate a water birth at home. Instead, you'll want to get a proper birthing tub, which you can either rent or buy. Your local midwife can give you some recommendations about what to look for in a tub and where to get it. You'll also want to get a liner that goes in the tub, especially if you're renting one. These liners are designed for use just once, so you'll feel confident about your hygiene while in the tub.
Get A Hose And Faucet Adapter
For the sake of comfort, you need the water in your birthing tub to be warm. When you go into labor, you don't want to start thinking about how you'll fill the tub. Instead, proper preparation in advance can help you to relax. The simplest way to fill the tub is to use a garden hose that connects to your kitchen or bathroom faucet with a special adapter. You don't want to run the hose from the outdoor tap, as it probably isn't heated.
Figure Out Where To Place The Tub
In many homes, there are several spots that can work well for placing the birthing tub for a water birth. Generally, you want this space to be roomy enough to not only accommodate the tub but also give enough room for your midwife to move around the tub's perimeter. If your living room or bedroom is large enough, either of these options might work. If your home is smaller, however, don't shy away from moving some furniture around. For example, you might think about relocating your dining room table and chairs to use this space for your water birth. Contact a local midwife service to learn more about water births.