'Birthpool-in-a-box' - anyone used one for homebirth?

[Emmalina]

Has anyone used one of these for labouring at home? If so, how long did the water stay warm for and how long did it take to fill? Did you find it big/deep enough? Would you recommend ?
Any feedback useful...

Hi Emmalina

I am 41 + 1 and plan a home waterbirth using a birthpool-in-a-box. I really hope that I'll get the opportunity to use it (have until Monday 21st) and will let you know how we got on with it after the happy event.

Thanks a lot for that and Good luck. I hope you get a chance to use it!

I looked at that site when I was expecting DD2.

TBH I took down the measurements and when out and bought a sturdy double sided paddling pool of the same size for about £15 on the premise that the LO's would also get to enjoy it in the summer!

As it was, we didn't use it, I didn't want to take my T.E.N.S. off!

Badger badger - what an excellent idea. Did you have a summer birth ?- wondered how you might keep the water warm in a paddling pool

I considered an aquarium heater! Instead decided on a floating thermometer and a hose on the hearest 'hot' tap throughout, for warm top ups .

Essentially I think a water birth should be an option for everyone, not just for those at a NHS hospital with the facilities, or only homebirthers who can afford it.

I have friends who constructed one (it's not really that hard) and it is always going out on loan (for free ).

It's an age old concept (birthing in water) so seems a shame that financial reasons can damn the option, for some. I suppose it mildy irritates me (can you guess!) that birth pool companies charge so much, on principle.

BTW, my midwives loved my paddling pool idea and were completely comfortable with it .

A friend of mine used a deep paddling pool and had a silver foil sort of cover to put over it to keep the heat in until she got in.

Hoping to do the same myself, if I can muster up the guts for a home birth!

I had one last August. It was really quick to fill (about 30 mins), but I think a lot of that's down to your boiler. We have a combi, so the hot water just kept coming til it was full. With a hot water tank it might take a lot longer.

My labour was progressing very quickly as DH was frantically organising it and mw was saying "not sure if we'll make the pool" so the instant it was full, I was in. Staying hot wasn't really an issue as DD was born about 20 mins later! But we did a trial run a couple of weeks beforehand and it didn't lose much heat at all. I think it's usually manageable by adding a bucket of warm water every now and then.

It was great. I got it over any other pool as the handles are well positioned for holding onto while pushing. This worked well. Just wish I'd been able to use it for more of the labour.

I used one of these and apparently it was very easy to fill (we have a combi too) and emptied in 45 minutes without a pump.

I was in it for a few hours and it stayed warm throughout. The company was great too, delivered when they said and got a follow up call to check it was all ok.

I used one, the big one, and it did seem to take ages to fill - it takes a HUGE amount of water! We have a combi boiler too, so no problems with a lack of hot water.
I guess if I had my time again I'd have gone for the smaller pool (I'm 5'10", DH who came in too (!) is 6'5") as I think there'd still be plenty of room in a smaller one.
Stayed warm no problem, it's such a lot of water it keeps its heat well.

Yep, I had a mini one and it was very comfy and plenty big enough for me (I am 1.65m tall)

Hope this isn't tmi but make sure your liner is not rucked up as mine was and once the water is in it is difficult to put right. Got a bit uncomfortable on the piles everytime I sat on the bit that was sticking up

hello loopymumsy

Don't know if anyone is still checking this, but those of you who had home births, were you pleased you'd chosen it and was did you feel comfortable at home? I like the idea of a home birth, but people keep raising their eyebrows when I mention it. I don't get why!

hi lolis, yes it was wonderful! i had my first at home and in a pool. Would def do it again. There have been several threads recently about homebirth for first-timers, not sure how you search for them but if you can work that out you will read lots of good stories! All the best

Loopymumsy and fairylights, thanks for the replies. You've rekindled my faith in my own judgement! I really hope I am able to go for it when the time comes. Thanks.

lolis - there is another thread going about where people gave birth in their home, have a look at that for a bit more inspiration!
also, if you get a chance read "homebirth" by Sheila Kitzinger and any book by Ina May Gaskin (she is a bit crazy but inspiring!), or there is another book called "birthing from within" that i found v helpful.
And do post threads and ask Qs of us homebirth-ers, we are all very happy to share stories and advice with you

my last 2 were hb's with a mini one, and it was FAB! Un divided mw attention, no travelling, and v relaxed in my own home. And bacon butties afterwards as pre-ordered by my mw

Didn't take too long to fill, and both dd's had apgar scores of 9/10. Emptying wasn't too bad either.if it is a cool day I can recommend threading the hose through your letterbox when emptying to reduce draughts.

Dh wasn't too sure at first (his words only a fool would consider giving birth in a paddling pool in the dining room), the arguments that swayed him were:

home is closer to the hospital than the cottage hospital I'd had ds in, in case of transfer

home is cleaner than hosp, less risk of infection

no travelling (he likes a drink iykwim)

No difference in equipment available, mw's bring a load of emergency kit.

COS I SAY SO!!!

The same chap cheerfully announced that he thought a hb would be best when I announced I was pg with dd2...

You could also add to that list that there are more distractions for uyour dp in early labour to reduce his panic stricken pacing.

HTH, and good luck