The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania now offers whirlpool baths to help with pain management in the new maternity suites. In addition to whirlpool baths, the new floor features private labor, delivery and recovery rooms, a home-like atmosphere and comfortable family waiting areas. Private showers are also available for moms who prefer them. Experts say women in search of natural relief for labor pain are increasingly turning to hydrotherapy or whirlpool baths. Hydrotherapy is an effective alternative to medication that can be used by care providers to help low-risk laboring women cope with their pain.
Hydrotherapy increases relaxation by supporting tense muscles.
As a woman becomes more relaxed in the water, her fear of pain decreases, which also decreases her adrenaline production. If you are considering hydrotherapy for pain management, discuss it with your physician or certified nurse-midwife at one of your prenatal visits. Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Lisa Hanes, Certified Nurse Midwife in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Hydrotherapy is safe for any woman in active labor, whose vital signs and fetal monitoring are stable, and who does not require continuous monitoring for medical or obstetrical reasons. Women may use the tub with intact or ruptured membranes.