Jet Tub Use During Labor: Safety & Considerations

Question
I am 25 years old with 2 daughters. fdolp was 6/25/05. I am 38 weeks pregnant and have had no problems. Last week my ob stripped my membranes, last wednesday I lost my mucus plug, but still no contactions at all. I am so run down and ready to be in labor. Last pregnancy I got in the jet tub at the hospital and it seemed to progress my labor. We have one at home also. Would it be safe to relax in it for a while?

Answer
You can safely use a jet tub as long as you have not ruptured your membranes (broken your water) and as long as you do not have the heat up too high. It may relax you and help initiate labor. If you are having your third pregnancy, you may start contractions now or may not start until 40 weeks. Once you have contractions every 6-8 minutes at the level of your belly button (from the start of one to the start of the next) and each contraction lasts for 45 seconds or more, you should be checked. If your cervix is at least 3cm dilated, you should be admitted to the hospital. Good Luck.