Birthing stool? what do you think?

[Bibulus]

I fancy giving one of these a go. However the cheapest I can find in the UK is £175 for a 5 week hire

www.samanthajayne.co.uk/birthing-stool--backrest-5-week-hire-39-p.asp

for what is essentially a bit of plastic with a hole cut in it.

Also unsure if it will fit in the back of the car to take to the hospital.

Am wondering whether a nice long sit on the toilet would be a practical cut-price alternative

What do you reckon? has anyone else had a go with a birthing stool? Are they worth it?

Hmm, ok... didn't your upper leg get tired though or cramp up? i am willing to give anything a go if it might work

Am seeing the consultant on Thurs so I will ask him about wireless CFM. I would love it tbh because I could be on my feet and walking round. and the pool...! that would be amazing.

I thought this was going to be a thread about pooing whilst giving birth :o

No, you pull your upper leg up and more flexed only while actually pushing, then rest/relax it down in between - lower leg just stays wherever is comfortable. MW should guide you and partner can help support leg. Good luck with equipment, the pool really was bliss even though I was only in it 15 mins (fast labour). Hope you achieve a safe VBAC, I was quite sanguine about mine as had complicated pregnancy and recovered well from C-section last time, but it did lay a few concerns to rest. Got to say, though, having pushed my baby out, my first conscious thought was "why on earth do women choose to do that more than once"

When I gave birth, the midwife manovered the bed so it was 'toilet-shaped' - put the back up and split the legs bit so it was exactly the same position as the birthing stool/sitting on the loo, would where you are delivering do that?

(I did have one 2nd degree tear and two 1st degree tears though....but that may have been speed of delivery, DS out in 3 pushes)

Where are you due to give birth Bilubus? Most hospitals have birthing stools. I've yet to see a woman get tears from using one, but that doesn't mean I disbelieve the stories. If anyone has any research based evidence, I'd love to see it.

The problem in investing in one (and at the price... eep!) is that you might not like it when in labour. Some women do, others definitely don't. You don't have to have continual fetal monitoring with a VBAC so it's worth researching your options. Stories and info here: VBAC