Birth pools, to hire, to buy?

Chakani

I had a hospital birth and a very quick labour with my first, and as we're further from the labour ward this time, I've opted for a home birth for this baby, who is due to join us in 10 weeks or so. I would really like a water birth, as I'd like to try to avoid drugs if it is another quick labour, but I'm no hero, and I'll take any pain relief I can get!

Has anyone got experience of birth pools at home that they would share? Did you buy or hire, and what sort did you get? Would you get a different sort if you did it again? At the moment I'm veering toward hiring a pool with a heater and a lid, as I have a two year old who I'd rather didn't go swimming on his own, and I'm frightened that if the labour is quicker than last time, that we may not have time to fill a pool when it's needed. But they are very expensive compared with the inflatable ones you can buy, so is the peace of mind worth the extra, or not? Also if anyone has any experience of particular companies, I'd be grateful for it, good or bad, as it seems hard to find independent reviews online.

bylromarha

I was with my friend when she gave birth at home.

She had one of these

She had the full kit, rather than just the basic package.

It took about an hour to get inflated and at the right temperature. The heating of the water took a while as kettles had to keep being filled. Then maintaining it at the right temperature was a little frustrating.

She used it for about an hour, but it slowed everything down for her, so she got out. The entire labour took 6 hours. the midwife feels it may have been quicker were it not for that hour in the pool.

It was sturdy, coped fine with friend draped over the side.

She decided to buy as she didn't like the thought of someone else's placenta floating by. Me, I'd have been fine hiring.

She looked into all the options and the conclusion she came to was that this was the best for her - she's a thorough kind of girl, so no doubt there were lots of good reasons why this one was best. Looks like you can get a lid for this one.

Good luck with the birth, whatever you decide.

weezl74

hi, I had 2 home births, both in part in water. Lovely!

First time not in a purpose-designed bit of kit, so my knees took more of a hammering.

Second time in a borrowed one of these, from an MSE :A.

We had a liner for it, which the MWs disposed of, but we also washed, disinfected and line-dried my lovely friend's pool. I had no qualms whatever about using a preloved pool, and I'm pretty sure the lovely lender didn't either.

HTH x

cclarke12

I got a birth pool in a box or bag (?) and then re-sold on ebay (I got about 70% of the original purchase price back). We found it really easy to set up and I had it in a downstairs bedroom that is next to a cloakroom with sink which made for easy filling with hot water. It took about 40 mins to fill the pool and it is definitely easier if you can be close enough to a hot tap to fill via a hose. My second birth which was at home was even quicker than first one (7 hours) and I first started having contractions about 5pm and had my daughter about 8.45pm. It was quick but I still had use of the pool. I didn't actually go in until the last hour when I couldn't stand the pain any longer and I needed some relief. Also they don't recommend you get in until well dilated as you can slow things down. The midwife knew exactly when to get the pool filling up and had even predicted the time the baby would be born (unbeknown to me) and she got it pretty much right. I guess what I am trying to say is that if you have a midwife that is experienced and supportive of home births they will coach you through and you will get the pool filled in time! I found the whole experience amazing and would recommend to anyone - we were all tucked up in bed by midnight. It was perfect!

My husband emptied the pool with a bucket which took about 20 mins.

Chakani

So that's three people who have used the same one - should this be telling me something? The concern I have is that I don't know how fast we will be able to fill it - we will (hopefully) be in our new house, and I have no idea how efficient the plumbing is. My first labour was under three hours, which is why I'm a bit concerned about how long it takes to fill, in case this one is quicker - an hour seems a long time out of a three hour labour...

weezl74

Chakani wrote: »

So that's three people who have used the same one - should this be telling me something? The concern I have is that I don't know how fast we will be able to fill it - we will (hopefully) be in our new house, and I have no idea how efficient the plumbing is. My first labour was under three hours, which is why I'm a bit concerned about how long it takes to fill, in case this one is quicker - an hour seems a long time out of a three hour labour...

that one took us 45 mins to fill, but you would get some relief from it before then as once you are in (avec large bump) the water level will rise enough to get to the small of your back.

I'd say it'd be effective from about 30 mins filling, and you could be in a nice bath before then?

Also as it fills your birth partner can aim the hose of hot water at the small of your back whilst you have contractions.

Some MWs don't like you to get in the water until you are in established labour, so you could use the time up to 4cms to fill it?

My second labour was only 1 hr 45 mins established, but I definitely knew it was the real deal before then. HTH x

Ms_Piggy_2

I hired a Lay-Z-Spa last time - and currently have one up in the front room for #2 who is due in four weeks time.

It can be set up in advance and has a heater and filter, so once it's up, it's ready all the time.

I loved it - the pain relief was immense - I would not want to labour on dry land.

The upside of hiring it is that someone comes to set it up and (perhaps more importantly!) take it down/clean it out afterwards.

If you buy your own though, you get to keep it and use it as a spa afterwards!

ETA - it comes with a lid (to keep it warm) and a cover that clips on to keep the toddler out!
http://www.woolworths.co.uk/bestway-lay-z-spa/388930695.prd?aff=google&affsrc=acquisition&cm_mmc=google-_-Garden%20Toys%20%20%20Product%20Specific%20exact-_-UO052%20Lay%20Z%20Spa%20Exact-_-Lay-Z-Spa%20exact&browseToken=/q/uo052/s/mostrelevant,1

Make-it-3

Hi Chakani

I have been having the same dilemma - I don't want OH distracted filling it up and then trying to keep it warm. But the ones with heaters etc are a lot more costly to hire, although they do seem a lot more sturdy. I can't help thinking the blow up ones will make me think I'm sitting in a child's paddling pool:)

Then I'm also thinking what if I have to go into hospital last minute and then all the cost has been for nothing.

It's so difficult to decide, I hope you get some answers here that will help me too.

Chakani

Hmm, I've had a look on Ebay, and am being swayed a bit towards the spa-type ones, they seem better value to buy second hand than specialised birth pools. I'm assuming they'd be fine as long as they were properly cleaned and sterilised, and my mum is the lady for that job, having run a medical biotech lab for many years, there's not much she doesn't know about bug-zapping in equipment...

I definitely feel more comfortable with the idea of having it up and warm ready with a cover on it. I'm probably being a bit irrational about it, but I just don't seem to be able to shake the fear that we won't be ready and everything will be a panic like it was with DS, with no midwives to be seen, a toddler on the rampage and OH running around with kettles, while I fail miserably to cope with it all and demand drugs! You can't beat a pregnancy-fuelled imagination, can you?

Oh, and that it will snow, and no-one will be able to get to us, all my pregnancy panicking seems to have focussed itself on this one little issue. The pre baby house-buying, house-moving, starting the baby-stuff shopping of which I have done absolutely none so far - no problem :rotfl:

I am not normally a nutter, honest

Hi MI3, it's good not to be alone, although I might be after that little outburst, I suppose!

nzmegs

I gave birth in a pool too but in hospital. We took it with us and the hospital were fully in support of us doing it there. It was inflatable which I found really goo as it was comfortable to sit in a lean against. My husband filled it and the midwife helped to regulate the temperature by taking water out and refilling it as required. To be honest this wasn't a huge issue and passed the time. My daughter was born in the pool - mush to the midwifes surprise and I was able to hold her in the water to keep her warm for a short while.

The pain relief is brilliant and simply made me calm and in control. I didn't need any pain relief at all.The warmth is lovely and you feel weightless. If you are prone to being a bit manic then nothing calms the mind like a warm bath. Add in soft lights, muisc and candles and you can really have the birth you want. Good luck!

Andrewboom

I purchased a 2nd hand (former hire) large oval pool for my Mrs from ebay.

I had it bolted together and filled from my combi boiler in about 2 hours I think. If you have a water tank this may cause you issues.

It was a really good bit of kit. I think I paid 250 and sold it - disposable top sheet for £220. So it cost me next to nothing.

It has a silver floating cover which kept the pool warm for ages. It was still a good temp 8 hours later.

The Mrs was well pleased. She had loads of room and was very comfortable.