Practical aspects of home waterbirth.

[Fairypants]

Hi,
Is there anyone who can tell me how messy or difficult it is clearing up after a waterbirth at home?
I've had a hospital birth and a home birth and wasn't at all interested in waterbirths then but this time round, ive started thinking I'd like to try it but I'd like to know how it works practically before mentioning it to DH.
I just imagine the pools to be like giant paddling pools so worry they will spill everywhere when you try to empty them or if you knock against the side.
Any info gratefully received.

It depends what pool you get but the giant paddling pools have very stable sides and shouldn't spill.

Just make sure you have a trial run a few weeks before the birth.

The main problem we had was emptying it afterwards - the pump disattached and red water got sprayed on the walls! That didn't put us off and I had a second home birth a few years later.

You can either rent or buy, get one with a filter/heater unit as well as the emptying pump as my poor dh spent an enormous amount of time boiling water when our immersion heater didnt keep up!
Ether way get several liners so you can have practice runs (it's lovely for the braxton hicks moments

There are great ones out there, inflated mat on the bottom, large rings for the sides, we have a friend who kept theirs and it is the most robust paddling pool around lol

Hot tub?

Thanks for that - do they all have pumps then? I envisioned emptying it with buckets or a hose (don't fancy sucking on a hose to get the suction thing going though!)