Calling All Birth Pool In A Box Users - advice please?

[PomsMum]

Can anyone help - thinking of using BPIAB for a homebirth and have just read that you fill it with a new garden hose - but I've read elsewhere (La Bassine website) that you shouldn't use a garden hose because of the toxic materials that line the hose when new - anyone got any thoughts? Thanks.

I used the hose that came with the optional extras kit I think. If you'r worried, I'd just flush it through thoroughly with either very hot/boiling water or maybe a sterilising solution (would need a large amount to flush through completely though!)

If the La Bassine website tells you not to use a new hose, what on earth do they suggest? Maybe some clear plastic hose from a DIY store??

Hi PomsMum,

I am also planning to use one of those inflatable. Like you I was curious about their non-toxic hose so I sent an email to MIW. Here their reply:

?Our hoses are food grade type hose, the same hoses used in the food industry to deliver milk, fresh water or other food fluid. We consider our hose to be a safer option. However most birthing Pool company offer cheap garden hose as part of their KIT, If you do use one of this make sure to flush it with fresh water before starting filling the pool.

Please check the following link for a better understanding and recommendations on gardening hose.

Carine?

Have a look at the link it is always interesting to know what you are buying.

I am still undecided about which inflatable pool to buy but I think I will get the kit from Made in Water as it seems to be better value for money.

Hi Molls - I can't get the link to work, do you need a Yahoo user ID or something - can you repost it and I'll try again? Thanks

the link was a reply she made on the homebirthUK Yahoo group (you need to log in to read it), I paste it for you below:

Hello,

I am Carine, founder of www.madeinwater.co.uk

I have noticed that a few hits on my website came from this forum,
so I had a look and saw the tread on our hose.

To answer few questions:

When we started to look at suppliers to offer a filling hose as part
of our kit, we noticed that actually most Garden hose available in
DIY shop carry the following warning "not safe for drinking water".

We then, talked to few hose manufacturers to know more about hosing.

A lot of chemicals are used in the usual garden hose to make it
durable and flexible. Those chemicals have the bad habit to break
down and release toxin especially as the hose get older.

Can I use a Garden hose for my water birth?

Most company include a basic garden hose in their kit, and also no
research have been done on the subject I guess we can say that it is
probably safe to use it as no harm have been reported until now.

However it is strongly advised to use only a brand new garden hose
and flush it with fresh water for few minutes before filling the
pool (This should flush away 80% of the chemical residue).

Old garden hose, release even more chemical in the water as the
material break down and will carry on releasing toxin even after
being flushed

Why do we supply a non- toxic hose?

For ethical reason I will not supply my customers with something
that I will not consider to use myself.

It is the same as organic food. We all know that harmful pesticides
are spayed on fruits and vegetables, some people will choose the
organic fruit when other will carry one buying the standard fruits.

At Made in Water we are very pro-organic and pro-natural, and if
there is a safer option available then I think it is best to supply
people with.

When ordering as part of our kit we do not charge more than other
company that are offering a cheap garden hose.

Made from the food industry, our hose can be safely use and reused
as they are designed to deliver only fresh water and treated against
bacteria.

Hope this will answer some of your question

Except from being a "hose expert" I am also the mum of 4 little
ones, passionate about waterbirth and home birth so I'll be glad to
answer any other questions.

Great thanks Molls.

Have to declare a financial interest as I do some work for Birth Pool in a Box, they can supply food grade hose and may consider switching to this if demand shows this is what consumers want but there is no evidence to show this is necessary at present.

Hi Maternaltouch,

So we have two mums netter working for BPIB, you and SueW.

It is a shame that they do not advertise the food grade hose on their website. Do you know how much it cost? Can you buy it online or it is only over the phone?

Thanks

Um I feel really uncomfortable now about answering questions in this forum, I'm just here as a mum not as anyone's employee. Can I suggest if there are questions people have about BPIAB that they ring the freephone helpline? I don't want any accusations of promoting/advertising anything levelled at me, I just responded on this because I had information I thought might be useful but now its making me feel awkward, particularly as someone has had a go at Sue W.

Maternaltouch - no probs, don't want anyone feeling uncomfortable. I'll give BPIAB a bell and speak to someone there directly. Thanks for the heads up though.