Birthing Pool alternative

[gingerninja]

Ideally I'd like a HWB but I'm a little concerned about weight and fill time (also topping up) of the pool as the room that I'd like it in is above the water supply so water flow/ DH might be slow!(I don't want to spend money on a birthing pool and it not get used)

Anyway, I'm thinking that a something smaller like a paddling pool would be more practical but I don't know about how effective it's likely to be.

Has anyone used anything other than one of the birth pools to birth in? Bath is out of the question as too narrow.

Thanks

I think they like it to be deep enough so that if you decide to be on all fours that the baby will be in water - it is obviously really important that the baby doesn't get born into air then drop into the water (iyswim)

Had 2 HWB - go for it they were brilliant experiences.

Ah yes, of course didn't really think of that.

Did you hire / buy and did it take forever to fill / empty?

I had hoped to have the baby in our loft! (it's been converted) which is the furthest room away from any water supply but it'd be so nice as it's cosy and large.

we hired one each time and they were brilliant - there are loads of threads on here asking for recommentations and lots of fabulous suggestions -
the ones we hired didn't take very long to fill, but was quite big but as I had expected a long first labour it wasn't thought to be an issue.
2nd time was fast and it still wasn't a problem

Many thanks

madeinwater.co.uk/pool.html

I had one of these - take less water i think so might be worth investigating. Very comfy.