why not fishy pool

[Azreial]

We're thinking of getting a birthpool for our April homebirth. The options can be a bit overwhelming. I'm thinking of the fishy pool because of cost. Any reasons why I might regret the fishy pool? Anything I'll be missing?

I'm 5'0" so length isn't an issue for me. I tend to like my water rather warm, is loosing heat an issue with the fishy pool?

[1happymama2003]

We used the fishy pool with our last birth and loved it! I had no problems with it at all. Our water heater was a bit weak so I'm looking into solutions for that this time around. But 2 big for the fishy pool here!

[dogmom327]

I didn't buy one because DS was terrified it wasn't sturdy enough (in a rental house on carpet). But I've never heard of one breaking so I think he was just being paranoid.

[JesiLynne]

I'm considering a water birth for my next birth, but my thing is, I wouldn't think it would be tall enough for my personal liking. I want to be pretty much underwater.

[seraphim0517]

I rented an AquaDoula for my last birth and I am again this time. I was at my friends birth and she used an inflatalbe kids pool. She was happy with it, but I don't think I would have been. It lost heat pretty quickly and was really shallow compared to a birth tub. Oh and when you put pressure on the sides it spilled out. But like I said she was happy, it's just after using the AquaDoula myself there is no going back. It cost $250 to rent, but it was totally worth it to me, and my budget is very tight.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

I used the hexagonal one. It was great. My labor was less than 4 hours so I wasn't in it very long (probably 2.5 hours) but heat was not an issue.

[Azreial]

Originally Posted by seraphim0517

Oh and when you put pressure on the sides it spilled out. But like I said she was happy

Oh that makes me nervous. My dh is a big guy, about 280lbs and he wants to catch. I figured the sides of all of them are equally as sturdy

[Mrsboyko]

We got the sevlor round pool
http://www.amazon.com/Sevylor-U490BL...3005473&sr=8-1

The sides are very sturdy, though I don't have a 280lb test subject so I can't tell exactly HOW sturdy. Also, I am short too (5'3") and i wanted the smaller width to brace my feet against the sides while sitting easier. We are in an appt too and the smaller size, less water, and sturdy sides kinds sold it for me. Plus, it was free shipping with amazon.

[Talula Fairie]

I thought about the fishy pool because it is awfully cheap, but I really want more depth. I am debating between the aqua doula, birth pool in a box, or a la bassine. However my midwife might provide a pool, so I'll see what she has first.

eta: oh and I am not too worried about heat loss. I'm due August 21st in hot central California.

[DahliaRW]

As for heat loss, keep the pool covered (we used a clean shower curtain covered by a wool blanket) when you're not in it. And then you can bail and refill as need be to maintain temperature.

[srlpenny]

I used the fishy pool for my last birth and it was great. My MW, DH and I all leaned on the sides and had no problems at all. We did have to buy a second one and return the first because it came with a seam not completely sealed and didn't keep air well in one of the rings.
My labors are VERY fast so heat wasn't an issue for me but I could see how it could be, that's really the only issue I could think of. I am 5'8 and not at all skinny and thought it was plenty big. Easy up and the best part (although I know that this may make some people shudder at the waste) because it was so cheap, we drained it and popped it keeping a little piece for DS's baby box. There was no cleaning it at all.

[Veritaserum]

I liked the fishy pool just fine. If the water got too cold, we'd bail and add more hot.

[durafemina]

I'm 4'11" and the fishy pool was a great size for me. I think another birthing pool might be too deep to be that comfy! Keeping them warm is generally not too hard - if the room is warm (as it likely will be if you're having the baby there!) they won't loose heat too quickly. It's easy to keep a couple buckets on hand too for bailing/re-filling with very hot water.

[Belleweather]

One thing that concerns me with fishy pools is that they don't have the same standards as the dedicated birth pools do as far as not being made in china and full of potentially scary stuff in the plastic. We decided to go with a La Bassine, partly for that reason and also because I wanted the depth. As it was, I had to be real careful to keep my hips down while pushing the babe out on my hands and knees so that his head would remain underwater.

[DahliaRW]

If you're worried about chemicals, you can get a liner (makes clean up easier) for about $15.

[Romana]

Not deep enough (5'0" notwithstanding); sides not supportive enough.

Having supportive sides that I could lean my body over or lean back on and not have the pool sides flopping, sinking or water leaking out was HUGE.

Get a BPIAB. It's by far the best affordable option (It's $150, less for the smaller version, which might be just right for you).

That's JMO but I had a La Bassine the first time around and it was disappointing. Second time, BPIAB, and it was GREAT. Totally different experience.

[Full Heart]

I have used a fishy pool 7 times and only had a problem once. I have leaned on it, dh leaned on it, never had an issue. It was when I decided to use it as leverage during pushing that was a problem (but I have a feeling ANY inflatable pool would have been a problem, it was probably a good thing I used the pool and not my mw or dh lol). It was plenty deep for me.

I wouldn't personally get an aqua doula because its not soft sided (it is 1 inch deeper than the fishy pool). BPIAB is 4 inches deeper than the fishy pool. La Bassine is 3 inches deeper. The Sevlor pool is the same exact size as the fishy pool. I much prefer the inflatable pools, esp the soft bottom. I also like relative clearness of the fishy pool.

Never had a problem with heat loss. But dh is prety good about bailing and adding more water. I wouldn't even notice it when he did it. Also nice to keep the water fresh if the labor is long. Was never a big deal for us.

[box_of_rain]

I used the fishy pool that they sell at In His Hands and it was perfect. I leaned on the sides, I was as submerged as I wanted, I could even stretch my legs for the most part (I'm 5'7").

I'd recommend it - it worked great. And it was only $30.

http://www.inhishands.com/html/WaterBirth.html

[Azreial]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm not sure if I'm any closer to a decision though the supportive sides and heat loss are concerns. With dh being a big guy having strong sides might be worth the xtra $. I think I need to talk to him some more. Would the fishy pool be big enough for two adults, in case he'd want to come in then the leaning might not be so much of an issue

[sarahloughmiller]

We did the fishy pool and it worked out great for us! It was plenty deep enough and big enough around for me (5'7" tall). I had put a sleeping bag under it as padding and am glad I did that because I did spill plenty of water out and that soaked it right up and then we just threw it in the wash. I highly suggest that if you are worried about water spilling. There was plastic under the sleeping bag too btw. I did not have that problem with ds though but I had a long mellow labor with him and a very fast (1.5 hrs from waking up to both babies out) labor with my twins. I thrashed around a lot trying to get comfy which was impossible!