Home births - birthing pools?

[Skibunny]

Has anyone who hired a birthing pool got any recommendations about good ones, or tips to avoid certain things etc?

Thanks
Skibunny
xx

[sunshine]

I can send you all the stuff tonight after work Skibunny as I've gotta dash! Dont buy anything cos you can get a cheap one from the entertainer!

[Skibunny]

That'd be brill Sunshine - thanks!

[silverpod]

Skibunny I have never done the birthing pool thing but also know of a local contact who I think hires pools, can check for you this week if you want?

SP

[Skibunny]

Ooh yes please silverpod!

Thanks

Skibunny
xx

[Damsella]

I hired one from the Active Birthing Centre (or whatever it's called).

It didn't do much for me, I found I was just concentrating on the pain more :rolleyes: so I got out after about 1/2 hour and went and watched SATC in the sitting room instead :thumb:

When it came to pushing, there's no way I could have done it in the pool as I needed support to bear down.

But it might be fine for you! :smile:

[Cherrypie]

Ski, I don't have any info about hiring one, as I had hospital births. Actually I wanted a home birth second time around, but was advised against it due to high BP.

I did have a water birth with Eilis. And it was lovely. I was really supposed to be getting in for pain relief, as not all of the MW were trained in water births at the time. But about 5 mins after getting in I wanted to push!! Fortunately the senior MW on was trained in water births. Having said that, I don't think I would have been able to get out even if they'd told me too!
As well as the soothing aspect of the warm water, what I really found helpful with the support of the water. It was easy to turn around and change position - unlike feeling like a lumbering whale like I did with Connor!! I was able to reach down and pick Eilis up out of the water as she came out. It felt much more like I was being assisted by the MW, rather than controlled.
Of course the main thing is to go into it with an open mind. Obviously Damz didn't find it so helpful. I had a friend who hired a pool for a home birth, and while she found it useful for pain relief, she'd had enough by the time she was due to give birth.
HTH. xx

[sunshine]

Hullo:wave2: back from work now so got time to post!

If you go onto The Entertainer Website, there should be a pool called Ocean Reef which is hexagonal and see through with fishes on.Its about £30-35.

This is the identical pool to that sold on birthpoolinabox.co.uk for £100!

Then you need to send your OH down to B&Q to buy the following:

plastic sheeting 3X3 M
bubble wrap 3x3M (to act as an insulating layer)
new hosepipe and connectors
water thermometer
sieve (to catch any ahem nasty floating things!:teehee: )

We also hired a submersible pump from a tool hire shop which emptied the pool in 5 mins flat- definitely worth the money IMO as by the time I'd had the baby we were both too tired to be bailing out the pool with a bucket!

For me, I loved having a home water birth and the pool made such a huge difference to how I was able to cope with a long pushing stage (2hours :shock: )

I'm definitely planning to get the old pool out for bubs No2!

PM me or ask away if you want any more info on home births and shopping lists!

homebirth.org is also very helpful.

Sunshine

[Skibunny]

Sunshine - have you got a link to that pool on the entertainer? I can't find it!

Was the pool supportive enough for you? Do you think it would be okay for me - knowing you're a slight, slip of a thing and I'm ...erm... rather heavier?

Thanks for the DIY list as well - very useful as I don't really have a clue what's needed!

Skibunny
xx

[Damsella]

If you pay a little more to hire a pool, all the pumps, liners etc come with it (except plastic sheeting for the floor).

My one had high, rigid sides for holding on to.

[sunshine]

Oh harse I just had a look on the website and I couldnt see it either. Here is one I found on ebay, although it is in America!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/INTEX-OCEAN-REEF-SWIM-CENTER-POOL-TOY-NEW_W0QQitemZ6056877019QQcategoryZ11745QQssPageNam eZWD2VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It might be worth ringing the number on the site and see if they still stock them. When I ordered mine it was January and they said straight away, "When's the baby due?" so they must sell a fair few of them to expectant Mums.

The pool felt really comfy and I definitely felt well supported in there. The walls are rigid but because they are inflatable there's a bit of give in them so they felt very soft against my head.

The pool is big enough to comfortably fit 2 adults in and my OH got in behind me for the actual birth. You will be fine!!

If you have no joy do a google search for birthpoolinabox (based in Birmingham). There was another one available which was small but deeper IYSWIM. I think it was called Made in Water.

I LOVED my pool! OH says he doesnt know if he will have enough time to fill it next time and I threw a right strop at the prospect of no pool!! Seriously though this is worth thinking about with your second baby- if it is a quick labour you may not get to use it!!

It may be worth chatting to your midwife to see if there is anyone local who bought all the kit and then didnt get a chance to use it. My friend did this and got a bargain!

[Skibunny]

Thanks Sunshine - that's really helpful.

Skibunny
xx

[funkystars123]

Hi,

I have just had my pool delivered and have set it up. We have bought the made in water pool from La Bassine. http://www.madeinwater.co.uk/pool.html

we decided to buy rather than hire as the hired would have worked out a lot more money and this was we have a pool to use afterwards!! didn't want to feel during labour that I should use it as it has cost .......

I am really pleased with it, the sides are nice and high so I will be able to push on them, it is long enough for me to sit with my legs stretched out (I'm six foot!!) and it inflated really quickly.

so I would definately recommend it so far. hoping to use it in next week :fingerscrossed:so will let you know more later......

[Skibunny]

Thanks for that funkystars - it did look nice an deep

Skibunny
xx