Which pool for home waterbirth?

[lucielooo]

Any recommendations from anyone whose done it before? I'm pregnant with my first and a bit confused by all the different options!

I like the idea of rigid sides so I can lean on them in labour - I imagine non-rigid sides to be a bit like a paddling pool so liable to throw water everywhere if I lean on them.. is that accurate?!

I've had three different types - firstly hospital pool which was uncomfortable;

second home birth with a pool with plastic over a frame - it was ok - nice and deep but uncomfortable leaning against the metal sides;

third birth - also home birth - used a Birthing Pool in a Box - inflated it a few days before - very deep, very comfortable to lean against the side. The midwife found it hard though to reach over the sides into the water as the sides are so wide.

No, not like a paddling pool at all.

I do know someone who gave birth in a deep paddling pool! Remember the bottom has to be inflatable as well or else it's uncomfortable.

I used a la bassine. Not rigid sides, but supportive and comfy to lean on. And very comfy to give birth in! My pal used it three weeks later and loved it too. You buy a separate liner so it's easy to clear up, and hygenic to re-use. Inflated in 15 mins, filled in less than an hour. Has a separate hose and pump to empty out. No water got sloshed anywhere, it was very neat.

Sorry for the brief email, but the result of the birth pool is currently in the middle of a feed so I'm typing with one hand!

I used an inflatable one - I can't remember the brand, it said 'made in water' on the side. It was like a very big paddling pool to look at, but much, much sturdier. No chance of water sloshing out even when I was pushing hard against it as DD emerged! It was fab, and I have every intention of using it again when no.3 is born in the summer.

I had a rigid sided one. Think also from made in water. Had flat hard bottom too, put cheap quilts under it for comfort. Best thing about it was the filter and heater, could use it night and day for weeks, kept me comfortable and sane during 10 days over due date:) with vast baby who i couldn't sleep lying down with (was as big as a 3 month old at birth). I would doze in the pool for hours a day.

cool - thanks. And congratulations ziptoes!

What about the heater/no heater dilemma? any thoughts?

Inflatable ones sound quite good if it means that the base is padded too, that sounds a bit comfier especially if I'll be kneeling - though the duvet underneath is a good idea too

I didn't have a heater, just added warm water to the pool and topped it up every now and again. Because you are fully submersed, you don't need it to be too warm.

The midwife will advise you on how warm it should be.

No heater here. Just DH adding hot water.

Check your tap fittings though, ours turned out not to fit and DH filled the whole pool with a bucket and our giant jam pan.

YES to tap checking. I inflated and filled ours overnight when in labour - DH was asleep. The tap connector wouldn't connect to our kitchen tap so I lost patience and used up about half a roll of parcel tape forcing it to work. That was fun for DH to clean, later

The MWs were very precise about pool temp, btw - I needed a pool thermometer.

I used birth pool in a box from NCT. Excellent and nice design (we use ours in the garden in the summer for the kids to play in!). If you are tall they do a one for taller women (I am six foot) and this one worked well for me!

As for heating make sure you put your immersion on and then you can top up as and when needed.

Good luck.

Great, thanks!

The birth pool in a box is the one that keeps coming up so I'll have a look at that. If they do a version with a heater that might be a good option for us as I think I'd rather DP was concentrating on me than back and forth to the kitchen fetching more hot water?