To Whom It May Concern,

We strongly support maintaining and expanding access to labor tubs, including the addition of a dedicated delivery tub for laboring women. 

The evidence supporting hydrotherapy is substantial. Research has shown that labor immersion is associated with:

Reduced use of epidural anesthesia and systemic opioids/reduces perceived pain intensity
Lower maternal stress and anxiety levels/promotes relaxation/reduces catecholamine release
Increased maternal mobility
Improved coping, labor satisfaction, and maternal satisfaction with the birth experience
Potential reduction in labor duration, particularly in the first stage
Lower rates of obstetric intervention in low-risk pregnancies
Increased feelings of autonomy and empowerment during labor
Removing tubs as an option for pain management is ethically comparable to withholding other established pain relief modalities from patients in labor. Eliminating a different effective pain management tool without providing an equivalent alternative would be considered unacceptable, and indeed, unethical.  Laboring women deserve access to the full spectrum of evidence-based pain management options, including non-pharmacologic methods that align with patient preferences, physiologic birth practices, and trauma-informed care principles.

Emerging evidence and international maternity care models also support water birth for appropriately screened low-risk patients, with studies demonstrating favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes when proper protocols and trained staff are in place.

In addition to the clinical benefits, maintaining and expanding hydrotherapy access is essential for remaining competitive in today’s maternity care environment. Birthing families increasingly seek facilities that support physiologic birth, low-intervention options, and patient-centered care. Access to labor tubs and water birth options is often a deciding factor when families choose where to deliver. Removing these services would likely drive patients to competing hospitals and birth centers that continue to offer comprehensive hydrotherapy options.

This is particularly important as hospitals nationwide work to improve patient satisfaction scores, birth outcomes, and community trust. Providing access to hydrotherapy demonstrates a commitment to evidence-based care, informed patient choice, and respect for diverse birth preferences.

Labor tubs are not luxuries. They are clinically meaningful tools that support safe, compassionate, evidence-based maternity care. Preserving and expanding access to hydrotherapy reflects a commitment to maternal autonomy, patient dignity, and high-quality obstetric practice.

I strongly urge leadership to maintain existing labor tubs and approve the addition of a delivery tub to better serve laboring families and uphold standards of modern maternity care.