Are there any negitives to using a birthing pool?

[Hayleyandbaby]

There's only one birthing pool at my hospital, but I want it. Is anyone else having a birthing pool? Or does anyone think it's absurd?

Annieshaf - thanks. I'm insulin dependant diabetic so wonder if that would stop me using a pool. I really fancy doing it that way.

daisynova, you will need constant monitoring of the baby whilst in labour and probably a sliding scale which titrates the right amount of insulin to whatever else is going in (usually via a drip in your arm as they will probably not want you to eat). This unfortunately means at least one possibly two drips going in and your mobility will be compromised I'm afraid. Whilst I feel that too many people have continuous monitoring in labour, I do feel that diabetics are quite high risk and probably warrant it some of the time if not all of the time. Hopefully there is a diabetic specialist midwife who you can talk to as you are nearing delivery who will be able to give you a good idea of what to expect.