Comments on: Labor Tubs – A luxury of the past?

By: Chris Just

Chris Just — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:28:20 +0000

I have had a hard time reaching anyone at DPH too. Both Mass General and Mt. Auburn have confirmed the DPH ruling. I am trying to find out if only Boston hospitals have been affected or if this is a state-wide decision. (If not yet state-wide then it may only be a matter of time). For now, your best bet is to contact your hospital and find out the current status of their labor tubs to see if you will personally be affected.

By: Rebekah

Rebekah — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 02:06:02 +0000

I’ve been searching the Massachusetts DPH website and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and can’t seem to find this information anywhere but in this blog. Do you know where we might be able to find more information on this? I’m expecting my second in July and had a waterbirth with the first. My plan was to labor in the tub this go round and push “on land”. Just wanted to find out more info before I start changing the mental preparation process. Thanks!

By: Chris Just

Chris Just — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:59:12 +0000

I was wondering the same thing myself: Is this DPH decision evidenced-based? In my experience as a midwife and as a patient, the tub has never presented safety concerns. Protocols are already in place to prevent higher risk patients from using the tub. This kind of decision negatively affects the vast majority to potentially protect very few patients from rare, unexpected situations.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:18:31 +0000

This is really disturbing. The tub made a huge difference for me when I gave birth and I spent most of labor in it. Is this an evidence based decision? This might push me toward having a home birth over birth center birth in the future (which is the opposite of what the DPH intends I would guess) since they can’t stop me from using my tub at home!

By: Beverly Blair

Beverly Blair — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:21:37 +0000

I was very concerned when my midwife told me the DPH banned use of birthing tubs. I had a very successful natural birth at MGH in July 2009 and I don’t know what I would have done without the tub. I got in the tub twice and transitioned the second time. I was then able to get out, push for 30 minutes, and my son was born. I’m not exactly sure where the concern stems from. I highly doubt a health professional would allow a laboring mother to use a tub if they didn’t think they were physically able to get in and out of the tub safely. Given the extreme pain I was in as I transitioned, I was still able to easily maneuver the tub. What a shame that this great option has been taken away!

By: Chris Just

Chris Just — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:46:28 +0000

Mt. Auburn has in-dwelling tubs which do not comply with the new DPH standards; however, they also have one “Aquadoula”, a portable, circular tub which is accessible from all sides and OK’d by DPH.

By: Breean Canzano

Breean Canzano — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:46:25 +0000

Do you know where we can find out more information about this? I’m giving birth at Mount Auburn in July and was planning on laboring in the tub. Based on your comments, I’m wondering if the tubs will be available to me? Thank you.