Too Tall

[missyfafa]

I am thinking of having a homebirth and want to hire a pool.
My midwife has said I should be careful to get one deep enough as I am very tall (6'3") and need to have my whole bottom underwater for the actual birth.
Does anyone have any advice on this or know if this is correct? They all seem to be pretty much standard size, if she is right this seems to preclude me from being able to give birth in a pool.
Just wondered what everyone else thought.

My limited understanding is that it's vital that the baby does not get the opportunity to breathe in air at all before being completely clear of the water, does that make sense?

Yes, it does, but surely you would be able to crouch down, or arrange yourself somehow to keep your pelvis underwater?

What ? My DH is 6'6" and got into the pool with me.
You will be absolutely fine and you don't have to deliver in the pool if you can't find a comfortable position with your bum covered, mine was in the air for the majority of the time

No idea, there must be a few really good sites devoted to waterbirth though that could help you out?

IME of 4 non-water births the best position was kneeling up and I don't think I could have actually crouched down even for a million pounds type of thing......

I don't think it matters if your DH's bum was out of the water
Do you think it's worth having one in your opinion? Did it help much?

I have looked on lots of sites but no one seems to mention height, I guess it's unusual to be this tall!

The Birth Pool In A Box is fine for taller Mums. I am tall(though not 6'3" and hats off to you )and had loads of space. You are unlikely to be laying out full length, so you probably only need to take your leg length into consideration, plus a bit. They are also quite deep and hold lots of water to cover your bum if you choose to kneel(which my MW wouldn't let me do ~ I was sat back on my backside).

With my first Dc, I hired a pool from the Active Birth Company and had an oval pool which of course gives you even more room in one direction.

All the best!

Thank you, that's all really helpful.

I got in the pool too late looking back I was in transition by the time it was filled, I'm going to have one this time and get in it from the first twinge because so many people have said how lovely it is, am happy to believe them.

Well, from what I've heard even if you don't give birth in it, it can ease contractions so for that reason alone it should be worth it!

Don't sit on your backside that is the same as lying on your back, working against gravity and bleeding uncomfortable, basically sat on the baby's head where do these midwifes come from, I'm so tempted not to call one at all.

If you get in that quickly, you'll probably slow your labour down...not funny after 12 hours, I can tell you! you really need to establish first. Your MW should guide you.
Have to say though that for various reason's, my MW wouldn't let me in until she had a full trace on Dd and because of that, I didn't/couldn't get in until about 16:50 and Dd was born at 17:15...

Sorry, no she told me not to kneel and lean with my arms over the pool in front of me, but to sit/lie back again'st pool side. It was ok though as I could see in the mirror...

And I was sitting quite upright, so not working again'st gravity. I can't honestly see how anyone could give birth lying down! I sat forward with every contraction whilst she was trying to get a trace which buggered each attempt up and delayed my dive into the pool!

It's a tough one because on the one hand if nobody has helpfully broken your waters for you then 12 or even 24 hours of relief in the pool I would take over 6 in agony out of it.
They have under water heart monitor things now so there's no reason not be in the water and as for them "letting you" do anything frankly it's your house, you're in charge, don't be bossed around is my very best advice.
My favorite midwife in the world told me the answer to everything they "won't let you" do is "and what happens if we do nothing", that should get a good explanation and if they can't give you one then you do nothing or exactly as you were planning to do.

I was in hospital for mine...GBS+ with Dd

read the book Waterbirth by Janet Balaskas for guidance of when to get into the pool.

can't believe a midwife told a PP how to position herself in the pool.

a lot of people opt for HBs because they hate being told how to position themselves from previous hospital experiences.

For me kneeling and squatting leaning forward in the pool were crucial for labouring and delivery. Doing so is some of the most ergonomically sensible ways to labour and give birth. Especially considering that labour for me was so fast and furious, I didn't have time to think and would definitely be cussing anyone who tried to tell me what to do.

to OP your height should not be a problem with birthing in a pool. people who sell and rent them will be more knowledgeable than what your midwife sounds like. so ask them the important questions about pool height etc.

Could you try out a pool before buying it? Although I'm 'only' 6'1"(!), the pool at our NCT class was too small for me when I tried it (without any water in obviously) and I think some brands do come in different sizes?
The pool at the hospital was much bigger though and my height certainly wasn't a problem.
HTH.

The ABC rented out different shapes and sizes and I think that the BPIAB sell different sizes...it won't be a problem I'm absolutely certain

We will probably end up buying something like The Bassine or Birth pool in a box. I tend to think that once you get in the right position and maybe fill the pool a little deeper then they will all be much of a muchness. Certainly there comparative measurements all seem roughly the same and since talking to the midwife again she said she would really recommend one so think I am sold and if it doesn't work I can always re-sell I guess.