When to set up the birth pool?

[hastingsmum]

People who have had or are planning a waterbirth at home. When did you/will you be doing this?

I've had quick labours, DS2 was born in just 30 minutes or so so I'd like to have everything ready more or less.

But obviously there is a space problem, we are planning to put the pool in our livingroom/diningroom in the dining room area close to the back door where we plan to empty it, but there is a dining room table there and things will need moving around a bit. Also a big issue is the kids. I'm not sure if they will be able to leave the pool alone if it's up, when we pumped it up for a trial go they were so excited and wanted to get in and out constantly. I worry about the pool, breaking before we get to use it.

But then I don't want to leave it too late either.... such a dilemma.

So, how did you who have done it before do it?

I read someone's birth story that she filled the pool up with water every night just in case.

Pools usually take 15 mins or so to blow up, but can take quite some time to fill with water (the same time as it would take to fill the bath a good 4 or so times).

Birth pools are pretty resilient and if they can't take the kids hoping in and out a few times they will be no good in labour! Make sure you have a "shoes off" rule though just incase!

To save time, especially as you say you have a history of quick labours, I'd get the pool set up so all you need to do is add water. Remember though that you can use it whilst it's filling up (temperature permitting). So even
If it's more like a bath than a pool at least you'll be using it! And why not use it now anyway? Be fun for the kids and you can relax or do some simple aquanatal exercises?

All in all, don't worry too much about the kids or filling it up in time, the last thing you and your body wants is added anxiety.

I'm sure it will all be amazing.

Thanks! What about the sterile pool liner, if I fill the pool up now, will it be ok? I'm not overly worried just want to make sure I do everything right (we have decided that we will not be trying for more kids, so don't get a second chance with the pool, lol).

I highly doubt the liner is actually sterile so I think it will be fine. My bath and floor were certainly not sterile and that was fine!!

It's actually much easier to almost inflate the pool then pop liner on and continue inflating. Much easier than trying to put liner on afterwards!

Defo get it up and just have some fun with it!

Sounds great homebirthmummy, I know the kids will love the idea.

The Birth Pool in a Box that I used was inflated with an electric pump in about 10 minutes and took about 40 minutes to fill up with water.

Seems a bit wasteful to fill it with water "just in case" but you could certainly inflate it in advance. Just keep the liner packed away until you need to use the pool yourself - then it won't matter it the kids have jumped in and out.

Don't worry about breaking it. My 5 year old was standing on the sides and jumping in last summer! They're pretty tough and will withstand a fair pounding!

I hope so, coz my two kids want to jump about in there all the time and I'm a bit nervous about it.