Project Pollywog: Labor Tub Info

[eniarelocin]

Since it has come up and we previously didn't have an official answer I am posting the official answer now.

Below is a copy of an email reply to my inquiry as to the cleaning procedures used with regards to the tub we are considering (still hoping to) rent for labor and possibly birth. For further information you can also check out their website: LaborTubs.com.

Hi Raine,

I totally understand about concerned family members, and it's a question that (surprisingly) seldom comes up--probably why we don't address it on the web.

Our cleaning protocol for the tubs is approved by all of the hospitals we deliver to (UW, Group Health and Evergreen are the main ones). Each tub--each piece, even the sink adapters--is thoroughly disinfected with a hospital-grade disinfectant before it is packed up and taken out to the van.
A "use" means any time a tub was set up, whether or not anyone actually filled it or got into the tub.

Sometimes people try to be helpful by draining and packing the tub for us to pick up. When that happens we politely insist that we have to set it up again in order to disinfect everything before it can go back in the van.
(Folks are usually pretty sheepish that they hadn't thought of that!)

We occasionally send a culture from our equipment to a lab to check for organisms which shouldn't be there. So far we've never found anything. We are not required to do this; it's a "peace of mind" step we decided to take.

That said, you are certainly welcome to clean the tub yourself before you use it. Sometimes family harmony is worth a little extra work!

Arlington being such a long way up there, another option you could consider is AquaDoula, which could deliver a tub by UPS. Their supplies are wrapped in heavy duty plastic before each use, which might give your family members a more secure feeling.

April

I will note that I personally like the idea of them bringing it here, setting it up and then collecting it themselves as opposed to receiving it UPS, setting up and tearing down ourselves, as well as having to then ship it back. I'm thinking not so much.


I'm really crossing my fingers for one of these.

Comments

[squidgyfishlove.livejournal.com]

I think that the concerns expressed were actually specifically aimed ath the use of the AquaDoula process, which involves setup, take down, and cleaning on your own. I'm sure they do something to disinfect at their warehouse, but I'm happier with the idea of the other guys personally handling the deliver, insturctions, setup, cleaning it multiple times before and after use, and packing it up and taking it away without us having to mess with it. For an extra $50 that just seems like the way to go, and I have more confidence in the clenliness bit when I'm told the specific details AND I get to see it happen. 2 cents.

[ebonyraine.livejournal.com]

Agreed. It is still an AquaDoula Tub, so we'd be getting exactly the same thing. And I think it's pretty cool that they don't charge extra to bring it up here, they just want more time. But if we do it, they'll want to deliver it next week or the week after- either way, not long... you know, since we're within 3 weeks of the due date now.

Pout. I hate our bath tub.