Really silly question...

[Deemented]

But do you have to have a proper birthing pool to have a home water birth, or would a good paddling pool do the job just as well?

Advantages of a 'proper' birthing pool over a paddling pool:

Less likely to leak (even the inflatable ones).
Sides can take weight, so that you can lean on them or even sit on them.
They have handles to grip during a contraction, if you need to.
Padded bottom.
Probably better insulated (very important to keep the water within a degree or two of body temp, especially if the baby may be born in the water).

We get our BPIAB out a few times every year for a mega-paddling pool in summer/hot-tub in winter.

If you want to deliver in water it needs to be really deep so that the baby can be born completely under water. A paddling pool would not be adequate. It also needs to be a good temperature.

Plus to get the full benefits ie weightlessness/pain relief you need to submerge your bump really.

A birth pool is wonderful. Google Birth Pool In A Box or La Bassine.

We get ours out and use it as a paddling pool btw. We also fill it with balls for dd.

the sides are MUCH higher. so it is all nice and cosy and it's the right height to lean on which is good.
also means that the water level is high enough to 1.) immerse you so you benefit more from the lovely warm water. 2.) ensures that baby stays underwater until whole body is delivered. 3.) means you can have lovely cuddles with you and baby kept warm by the water until the cord is cut.

plus everything that prettycandles said.

i think a paddling pool would be far too flimsy, but most of all too shallow

i have a la bassine for sale btw#!