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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

So, for those who had a home water birth..............

29 replies

Overtiredmum · 09/03/2009 22:16

at what stage did you order your birthing pools? Am "planning" a home water birth for DC2 but decision won't be made til 37 weeks, am currently 32 weeks BUT............. I won't have access readily to the internet after 36 weeks as don't have it at home.

So.......... when should I order it. Am reluctant to do it now as I don't want to jinx anything...............

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ChesterTown · 09/03/2009 22:22

We hired one for dd2 (1st hb) when I was 28 weeks. I didn't want to leave it later and not get one! I rationalised that even if I didn't get a hb for whatever reason, I could use it to relax in in the last couple of weeks. I think the company I used (Gentle Water) let you cancel if your circumstances changed.
I had dd2 in water (and subsequently ds), and it was fab. Having the pool to chill out in was lovely too.
Best of luck

SoupDragon · 09/03/2009 22:23

I'm sure I already had it by 36 weeks.

Original poster

Overtiredmum · 09/03/2009 22:34

Problem is I don't have the room to have the pool and get it up and leave it, so am opting for a Made in Water pool, as the website says they only take a matter of minutes to inflate. My midwife said I can hire one for the charge of £50 for the liner or the Made in Water pools are £110 for the pool and kit, which I think I would prefer. Am not overly concerned about losing the money as I already said to the MW that I would donate it to the community team if I didn't use it, am just concerned about jinxing my chances, as strange as it probably sounds.

OP posts:

ByThePowerOfGreyskull · 09/03/2009 22:36

I ordered ours at about 32 weeks - for delivery at 38 weeks. we ordered from active birth site first time and splashdown 2nd time (much cheaper!)

loved the sturdiness of the pool, took away some of DH's anxieties about having that much water in the sittingroom I know you didn't ask that but thought I would share anyway

ChesterTown · 09/03/2009 22:46

I reckon you would be doing yourself a favour by sorting it now, so you can relax knowing it is done.
Rather than jinxing it, you are showing your body you have confidence that it will all go ok

jumpjockey · 09/03/2009 22:50

We had the Made in Water and it did inflate pretty quickly using the pump they supplied. We had it at about 35 weeks and did two practice runs (then got a plumber over to check the boiler ). Filling it to the right depth is the slow part, took about an hour I think. I would definitely get it sooner rather than later, another mum I know found that her first MIW pool had a hole, then the second one they sent did as well so they had to use a puncture repair kit on it!

It was great on the day, really comfy and easy to move around in.

SoupDragon · 09/03/2009 22:52

I had the BPIAB one and inflated it (alone) in the middle of the night whilst in labour. It kept me occupied

SoupDragon · 09/03/2009 22:55

Don't inflate it in the kitchen to avoid disturbing anyone with the electric pump and then find that it won't fit round the corner into your playroom. Because then you'll get it wedged in the door and have to open the connecting doors from the living room, climb over 2 sofas (at 40 weeks pregnant and in labour, remember) and heave it in from the other side of the doorway.

Heaven knows who'd be that daft though.

SoupDragon · 09/03/2009 22:56

Oh, and it's probably a good plan to make sure the tap adapter for the hose fits your tap before you need it.

Original poster

Overtiredmum · 09/03/2009 22:59

SoupDragon thats soooooo funny!!!

Sounds like I should probably get it on order then, especially if it could be faulty - that thought never even occurred to me!!

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 10/03/2009 07:31

It seemed like a good idea at the time

It never occurred to me to check it wasn't faulty - that was the first time I'd inflated it.

belgo · 10/03/2009 07:42

I've had two home water births, with different pools, and I found the second pool, Birth Pool In A Box, to be the best. We had it from about 38 weeks and we tested it before we used it.

rabuxton · 10/03/2009 14:04

I am 36 weeks + 4 days and am planning a home water birth. I picked up my birthpoolinabox at the weekend. The company delivers within a couple of days (ordered a spare liner that came next working day), but I actually got the pool from ebay as some women get them and then are unable to be at home for whatever reason. Worth a look.

We got it out and had a trial run last night and I am very excited!!

As you can be at home from 37 weeks I would suggest ordering it at 36 weeks so you have a chance to put it up and get used to how you might feel in it before the big day.

BlueCowWondersWhenItsChocTime · 10/03/2009 14:10

agree with Chestertown! Get it ordered early then time to play.

We didn't even open the box til I was in labour - and the instructions took 20 mins to read... Hence my birth in the birth pool in a box, but in only 4 inches of water.

But why no decision until 37 weeks? Whose decision?

solowitch · 10/03/2009 14:26

Order it early. Do a pracise run(though not with water unless you have excessive energy). With Ds I got in 14 hours before he was born(had to go to theatre to birth him though as he was stuck)which was far too soon. With Dd they kept mme out until 15/20 minutes before she popped out with was not enough time in the pool.
It's a fabulous way to give birth though and I do recommend it

solowitch · 10/03/2009 14:28

Those double action hand pumps are very fast and easy to use...Oh, and quiet! too.

NotSoRampantRabbit · 10/03/2009 14:33

Slight hijack

Has anyone had a solid sided pool and an inflatable?

Can you say which was better?

I had DS at home in a splashdown pool, which was fab.

Am thinking might do inflatable this time but am concerned it won't be as sturdy.

Overtired - think I ordered at about 32 weeks last time. Your body is going to do what it's going to do so you might as well get prepared as best you can!

solowitch · 10/03/2009 14:34

Yes, I did. The inflatable is more comfortable.

solowitch · 10/03/2009 14:36

Birthpool in a Box are inflatable and very sturdy. TIP don't leave it folded up in sunlight as it will then have holes appear(thankfully I found this out after Dd was born).

solowitch · 10/03/2009 14:38

Also BPIAB are far cheaper(or they were ~ when I looked at Splashdown in 1998, they were very expensive)than Splashdown. I hired a rigid one from the Active Birth Centre back then in the end.

NotSoRampantRabbit · 10/03/2009 14:39

Ah haaaa - solowitch - a few more questions!:

Is the inflatable as deep?

Is it inflated/padded on the bottom?

Does it 'wobble' if one is in full 'moooo'?

TIA

GYoIsReallyHavingABaby · 10/03/2009 17:43

Am sat looking at my BPIAB. Waiting to use it!

Is inflated on bottom, sides are really high so if tall you could still have water high enough to cover boobs when sat in it.

No idea about wobble but I doubt it- once full will be v heavy...

Good luck

Original poster

Overtiredmum · 10/03/2009 17:43

Bluecow in answer to your question, its policy here to decide on suitable birth options at 37 weeks, although they are presently of the view that I will have absolutely no problems as very straightforward birth with DS. Am feeling very excited today. Saw midwife for 32 week check, and all going well. Four more weeks left at work. Yipppeeeeee.......

Plus am ordering my pool tonight

OP posts:

Original poster

Overtiredmum · 10/03/2009 18:49

Woohoo just ordered my Made in Water pool, got the pool and kit all for £108 including delivery, so not too bad..............

Funny though, the reason I decided to try for a water birth is because since being pregnant I have been bath mad!! I have never been a bath person to be honest, always preferring a quick shower over a long soak but since being pregnant this time round I love them. I don't get home from work til 11.30 every night and DH always has a lovely bath and a cuppa waiting for me when I get in the door. Anyway, thats why I opted for trying a water birth.......... anyone else felt like this??

OP posts:

VinoEsmeralda · 10/03/2009 18:52

I had 2 water homebirths in our own bath...

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