Birthing pool for home birth?

[LJAR]

Has anyone had a home birth and hired a birthing pool? I've wanted a home birth from the start but found negative response as if I had to justify my choice but today I saw a midwife who supported my decision and made me feel relaxed. I was wanting a water birth, does anyone have any suggestions or maybe they have done the same. Thanks.

[fledermaus]

I had a birth pool in a box mini, was fine for me at 5'1".

[LJAR]

Would i need a bigger one? I'm 5'10"? I've heard its much better being in the pool and relaxing,? this is my first so I have no idea what to expect.

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

Do you want inflatable, or a fixex one you can relax in beforehand?

[Flisspaps]

I had a birth pool in a box Eco, PLENTY of room (I'm 5ft 6). Bought it from eBay, sold it on there after for pretty much what I'd paid. Went up in about 15mins with a pump, filled in about 40.

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

I have had both sorts by the way. Happy to give my thoughts on pros and cons of rigid and inflatable. Obviously quite personal. But it might be that, e.g space or dodgy boiler mean that the choice has been made for you one way or the other.

[DinoSnores]

I hired a birth pool, possibly from these people. I'm not completely sure but their website looks familiar.

www.waterbabybirthingpoolhire.co.uk/

I thought I would love it but actually didn't like it that much and gave birth on my bed upstairs in the end. If I have a home birth this time, I don't think I'll hire one but I would think about trying water again if I go to the Birth Centre.

[CookieMonsterIsHot]

Oh, I loved my birthing pool. We hired a hard-sided one that you can fill in advance and keep warm/filter. We did this for all 3 dc.

I cannot describe how wonderful it felt when I got into the pool. Best pain relief ever. Any time I need to go to a happy place, I remember the relief I felt upon sinking into that lovely lovely water. Ah!

Prior to dc3, DH casually suggested that maybe we shouldn't hire the pool, because it is expensive, I am not in it for that long and it takes him over a hour to clean off the gunk and poo. I was chopping veg for dinner. I swear I nearly stabbed him there and then. I am normally exceptionally rational. I stopped myself from stabbing him: I made evil eyes and twitched involuntarily, the knife did not move from the veg. There was a long pause. He said "did you just think about stabbing me?". I said "yes" and burst into uncharacteristic tears. I got raised eyebrows, a hug, a pool and he did not LTB

YYY to a pool.

I was twitchy about one you fill when you need it, i.e. with no heater or filter. But in reality with DC1, I had been in labour (and known it) for about 10hrs before I got in the pool. DC2 and 3 were much much faster.

I liked holding onto the hard sides while pushing. I wonder how that works for people using an inflatable. DP's hands/arms?

[DinoSnores]

They currently advise that you DON'T use birth pools that you fill in advance but use one that you fill at the time.

www.waterbabybirthingpoolhire.co.uk/news.html#.U8bmTfldUao

I found the inflatable sides pretty sturdy though.

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

The sides of an inflatable are very hard Cookie. You can lean on them a fair bit. I was leaning on the side delivering DC2.

Our rigid pool was the absolute dogs whatsits. It had a filter and a heater, so you only changed the water once a week. So every night (I was very overdue) I floated in it for half an hour. I love baths normally and hate them at the end of pregnancy when it hurts on your back and your bump isn't covered so that was lush. The downside is the cost and the space it takes up. But it was fabulous. Took away all that 'should we fill it yet' stress too. The company we used was called Born in Water and they were great.

I think my inflatable one was a professional grade Birthpool in a box, but I borrowed it from my doula, so not sure.

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

Gosh Dino. Since DS was born

[LJAR]

Haha CookieMonster that made me laugh :-) Thanks for everyone's comments its really helped. I have looked on ebay and they do have a few which seem cheaper than hiring. I love the bath and think this is defo the way to go for me, the only advantage i saw when i visited my birthing centre was the birthing pools. I was getting stressed about being stuck in one room in the hospital for so much time and not being able to go outside or potter around and do what i want. I've heard of women baking and doing all sorts at home up to an hour before giving birth as distractions are meant to be good. I am rather worried about the screaming/shouting at home birth and what the neighbours will think haha! I'm sure I won't give a hoot when the time comes :-)

[LJAR]

They advise not to leave pools filled because of Legionnaires disease and only to fill when you go into labour. the pool in a bag eco ones seem to have the best reviews :-)

[mummybare]

I'm not sure the pre-filled ones are an option at the moment due to a recent case of Legionnaires disease in a baby born in one of them. The case is being investigated but, certainly in the case of the company we are using, hiring has been suspended on this type of pool. There's no problem with the inflatable ones.

[mummybare]

x-post

[youmakemydreams]

I used a birth pool in a box. Was up in no time and about 30-40 minutes to fill. Easy to empty down a drain with a pump. I had it up before birth love baths and I dix fill it a few times before hand and spent some relaxing in it. I had horrible backache and pelvis pain.

Sides are sturdy when inflated and had a seat in the bottom as well.
Great in hog summers afterwards to dump have a play in put the dc in as a huge paddling pool.

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

I would go for an inflatable for the time being then - though I suspect it will turn out to be a problem disinfecting between clients or hygiene by the user rather than an inherent problem.
I didn't think you could use inflatables beforehand because the liner is disposable?

[LJAR]

I have found one on ebay which have bought it has everything but the liner. The liners are £30 does anyone know if you can get them cheaper than that?

[ZenNudist]

I used an inflatable brith pool in a box that was hired out by a local midwife as a 'service' to birthing mums. I would definitely recommend home water birth. If I ever have dc3 Issie the same.

A used once pool with liner should've ok but do a test run with it filled with water. Mine was going down whilst I used it as I ignored midwifes advice to test it!!!! It was fine as I labour quickly but I'd have been gutted if I'd had toget out due to it going down.

I gave birth not in the pool as it was a bit low on water and I think this could be true for any of these big paddling pool types. Getting out with a baby's head poking out was a doddle. I just leapt out onto my sofa! It's amazing how labour focuses your body to do what you need to do.

Do get large tarpaulin for the floor from home base or b&q. I also covere d my sofa in cheap shower curtains And old sheets.

[fattycow]

The baby that got legionnaires got it because the filter of that particular pool was contaminated. Naturally, this type of pool is now not being rented out, just to be on the safe side. However, it is perfectly fine to use any of the pools that are still available.

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

How do you know it was the filter? I haven't seen any reports and am interested because I loved my pool so much.

[fattycow]

The mother is a family member of my colleague.

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

Gosh, sorry. I didn't realise that it was a personal connection. I hope that the poor family affected are doing ok.

[youmakemydreams]

It was only me using the inflatable pool so used it beforehand without liner in. Only used the liner for the birth itself. The liner isn't compulsory it is just a cleaner simpler way to get rid of the mess afterward.

[LJAR]

Ahhh i see youmakemydreams thanks. Pool should arrive tomorrow, cant wait to test it out and see how big it is.