Any Birthpool in a Box users out there - is it worth getting the additional equipment package?

[CallieNewYear]

Is it worth getting their package or cheaper just to buy the things separately? Do you really need a cover or will the water stay warm anyway? Have people improvised their own covers for less money?

hi there - pool in a box was great, we ended up getting all the extras. The foil cover was good coz you may well have long gaps between getting in and out of the water, as i did. The water only drops one degree an hour without the cover so it just needs a couple of fresh buckets of hot water to warm it up - remember to take out a couple of buckets of water first though..maybe you could make your own cover - didnt think of that myself!. Also the pump for emptying is REALLY useful according to my dh - although be aware that it won't pump out the last couple of inches of water (my poor BIL ended up having to scrape that bit out - yuck!). The hose is useful but its just like a garden hose so you might have one already - we didn't.
I was soooo glad to have the pool though, hope its as good for you - all the best!

Might be too late with this - I've just ordered my BPIAB and went for the extras since it seemed ok price and easy to get.

But, didn't get electric emptying pump on hire - getting mine from Screwfix.co.uk for the same price and then hopefully it'll come in useful for the next time (she says, having not even had one yet!!!)

yes would be a great idea to buy the pump if you are planning on using the pool again (??!) - wish i had thought of that -clever you julesw! Hope your birth goes well too

I used the cover - kept it on, folded in half, whilst I was in the pool too. obviously took it off for the actual delivery! the cover is metallic bubblewrap basically.

Didn't bother with the pump - left it syphoning out with the hose whilst I got to know DD. The last bit was bundled up in the liner, and, er, shoved in a bin bag in the dustbin...!

You want a BRAND NEW HOSE, not one you may have already for hygiene reasons.

Check the tap adaptor fits your tap before you are in labour and actually want to fill the pool.

Electric air pump to inflate the pool is essential.

I thought the pool came with a pump - that's just hand held, is it? How long in practice did you find it took to get the thing up and filled? I'm not sure at what point I would need it from.

The pool came with a hand pump thing to inflate it. It's cr*p!

It took me about 10 minutes to get it inflated, half an hour to wrestle it round the corner from the kitchen where I inflated it at 2am into the playroom (via the double doors in the living room - don't ask ) and I guess it only took half an hour/45 minutes or so to fill to an acceptable level - then I could top it up once in it. It does take more than a tank of hot water thoguh - we have a combi boiler so there's unlimited hot water. That's where the cover comes in htough, it keeps it warm.