Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Childbirth

Yet another question about home births........

14 replies

sarahlou1uk · 09/05/2006 21:23

Currently 26 weeks pregnant with second child and due to mw informing me that I might not get a bed in August at my hospital, have decided to look into a home birth. I have a number of questions:-

Birth Pool - I used this at my hospital with my first and loved it. The only thing that's putting me off is that we don't have space to set it up and keep it up. Can the pools be put up and filled when you are in labour? If so, roughly how long does it take to fill it for use?
Is it better to hire a pool or buy one outright? Can anyone give me an idea of the cost of one?
Was anyone worried about the amount of noise that they would make? Our semi detached house has very thin walls - our neighbours have sanded floorboards, no carpets and we can hear everything (and I mean EVERYTHING!!)

I have lots more questions but these are the main ones. Thanks.

OP posts:

Report

WWWontSlagOffAnyone · 09/05/2006 21:27

Don't try to fill it in labour imo, get one that yuo set up and stays heated, they're wonderful. you have to change the water once a week but the place I hired it from encouraged its use before birth and ds and I came in from his school many nights and got in. Very relaxing and calming in late pregnancy. Also, last thing you want to think about in labour, filling a pool - also think about size of your water tank, would you have enough?
Hire the best you can, as above, I would.
Made loads of noise, terraced house, neighbours swore they didn't hear a thing. First time was a flat and they STILL swore they didn't hear. Don't worry about it but warn them in advance.

Good luck, home birth is great, there are lots of threads here if you search, lots of us are v keen and loved ours.

Report

Hattie05 · 09/05/2006 21:30

I have seen husbands putting up pools on discovery health whilst wives are in labour! They always seem to be hired pools - no idea on costs.

I am planning a homebirth this time (my second) and no i'm not really concerned about the noise, except for dd's sake if she's either asleep or still around - don't want to scare her.
The neighbours can stuff it for one night! .
No seriously though, we are in a semi, and its a lovely old man next door - we hear little noise from him except his opera music occasionally and i'm sure he'd politely close his ears to my groans for that one occasion!

Report

sarahlou1uk · 09/05/2006 21:49

WWW... we don't have the room to keep it up before I go into labour. I'll have to move the dining table and chairs outside as it is. Plus I have a v large 10 stone rottweiler to shift as well!!!

OP posts:

Report

Rhian101 · 09/05/2006 22:02

I bought one of those inflatable birth pools which was great! They come in different sizes depending on your height. It takes about half an hour with a hand pump to blow it up but you could always use an electrical pump to be quicker. It took about half an hour to fill with a hose pipe - depends on the size of your tank/how water is heated. You can always do test runs. The water only loses about a degree an hour so you just top it up with a kettle every now and then - not worth the heater. These pools cost between 50 and 80 pounds on ebay etc. At least they did a couple of months ago - much cheaper than hiring. And I intend to use it as a paddling pool this summer! You'll need liners etc., but they come in the kit. Make sure you get one with handles if you do. Good luck! Any more questions do not hesitate to ask. I loved it!

Report

Rhian101 · 09/05/2006 22:05

As for the noise, I'm in a semi-detached and just told the neighbours last week that ds2 was born at home - they couldn't believe it as hadn't heard a thing! Trust me you won't care when in labour.

Report

Rhian101 · 09/05/2006 22:06

As for the noise, I'm in a semi-detached and just told the neighbours last week that ds2 was born at home - they couldn't believe it as hadn't heard a thing! Trust me you won't care when in labour.

Report

Rhian101 · 09/05/2006 22:07

As for the noise, I'm in a semi-detached and just told the neighbours last week that ds2 was born at home - they couldn't believe it as hadn't heard a thing! Trust me you won't care when in labour.

Report

spidermama · 09/05/2006 22:07

Hi.
I've had four home births but none with a pool so can only answer number 4.

I made loads of noise every time. I made sure I warned the neighbours so they knew not to call the police.

Once labour was up and running I couldn't care less who heard me but I think I'd have been far more reticent in hospital.

I can highly recommend homebirths if mine are anything to go by.

Report

Rhian101 · 09/05/2006 22:08

Sorry! Stuttering again.

Report

mckenzie · 09/05/2006 22:10

the beauty about hiring is that you get the pumps and liners included and you dont have to worry about cleaning it up afterwards. Plus I would guess that the side are sturdier (mine also had a little seat in it). It came with a reverse pump too so after the birht, DH set the pump going into the outside drain and the pool was empty really quickly. Setting up would take time though - we were lucky to have the space to have it set up ready. We didn't fill it until we needed too but I dont think DH would have had time to assemble it as well.

re the noise, my son slept through it completely but my neighbour was having a business meeting at home at the time and her partner questioned what the strange noise was. Neighbour said quite straight faced "oh, that would be the lady next door giving birth" as if it was the most everyday occurance and carried on with her meeting!

FWIW, it was fantastic! If you can only find room to set the pool up beforehand.

Report

SoupDragon · 09/05/2006 22:10

I inflated my Birth Pool I n A Box whilst in early labour at 2am. I decided to do it in the kitchen so I wouldn't wake anyone up with the electric pump.I then had to manhandle to into the room I planned to give birth in (this involved climbing over a sofa. At 9 months prgnant and inlabour...) Anyway, it was fine and took my mind off it all!!
Cheaper to buy
You won't care.

Report

Rhian101 · 09/05/2006 22:12

Inflatable pool is sturdy enough to let you sit on the side and light enough for you to blow it up and then lean it against the wall til it's needed. (Do you get the feeling I liked mine )

Report

shazronnie · 09/05/2006 22:14

home birth is fab, didn't have a pool though!

You won't care what noise you are making, but chances are you won't bother anyone! (Unless your neighbours are scientologists of course!)