why not fishy pool - Page 2

[jennyfah]

I used the fishy pool. I am almost 5'9 and it was more than deep enough, and the sides were definitely firm enough to lean on. I hung over the sides and laid on the edge for hours!

We didn't have a problem with heat loss---DH made a great little cover for the pool by cutting bubble wrap into a circle, floating that on the surface, and then draping the whole pool with a heavy blanket. It stayed hot for more than 15 hours, and only needed a tiny top-up with hot water when I got in. Then, when I was in the pool, DH would take the temp (with a digital kitchen thermometer) and add more hot water if it dipped below 99 degrees (which is the temp my midwife wanted it at).

I delivered in a deep squat and the water was still over my belly.

What I liked about it:
• cheap!
• soft/inflated bottom
• soft sides
• more than deep enough

What I didn't like so much:
• my doula said it was hard to drain (even with the aquarium pump) and she had to bail for a couple of hours. It was a mess, but it wasn't my problem.
• it took forever to inflate! I inflated it myself several weeks before the birth with a foot pump. I wold DEFINITELY go electric pump next time, because it took forever and day by hand/foot.

[Full Heart]

A trick to draining the pool, we have never used a pump. We used a hose cut short (you can get them at lowes pretty cheap, cut to length). and it works like an IV. We drained it right in to the toilet or bathtub, once out the window. You will need to bail or turn the pool upwards for the last little bit though.

[wearbaby]

I used BPIAB and while I liked the depth and size, when it came time for pushing- water was literally pouring out onto my wood floors. It was a huge mess. I am going to rent an aquadoula this time around. My BPIAB got ruined when my DH threw it outside after the birth in January and it cracked all over (UGH DH!) Anyway- I'm hoping the aquadoula is better this time.

[ani'smommy]

We used la bassine and loved it. I didn't choose the fishy pool b/c i wanted something deep with sturdy sides. Also, and this is very superficial, but the fishies bugged me.

[Blue Lotus]

We used the fishy pool without a problem; DH is 6'3" and around 300 lbs, while I am 5'8" and was about 200 lbs preggo. We fit quite well and didn't have any issues I wasn't in the pool very long for giving birth (about 20 minutes), and keeping it warm wasn't an issue, as we used a solar pool cover (it is like bubble wrap). We also used the siphoning trick, which worked great. We also thought we might have an issue with the size of the pool, but we both fit just fine, and it was really comfortable. I spent most of the time leaning heavily on one side with DH applying a large amount of counterpressure to my hips (back labor) and we didn't spill a drop. He filled it with our air compressor, but if we didn't have one we would have used an electric pump.

[ghuaghua]

I am 5'6" and used the hexagonal fish pool with no issues at all.

When doing my research then, (and again now just to be sure)
It looks like the fish pools are the same depth or deeper than most birth pools.

[nkintzel]

We used the fishy pool with our last home birth.

I am 5'5" and it was plenty deep. The sides were firm and strong enough for the midwife to sit on and for me to lean over.

My husband used our shop vac to fill it up, and it was full in seriously 5 minutes. Here is what he did. He took a plastic pen and pulled the pen out so there was just the little white plastic tube left. He pushed that into the pool, then hooked the other end to the shop vac. He like, wrapped tape or something all around so it sealed. Then he turned the shop vac to "blow" and filled it up in a snap.

For draining, we siphoned it out the window into the front yard. We were on the 2nd floor. Easy Peasy.

I didn't have a problem with heat loss, but it was 90 degrees when I had Ethan and I actually wanted it as cool as the MW would let me have it (99) I wasn't in there very long as my entire labor was only 2.5 hours. I pushed four times and he was out.

I highly recommend it.

[ryansma]

I used the fishy pool with no problems either. I was leaning against the sides the entire time I was in it and it was very supportive.
The bottom was soft and so comfortable and we had no problem with heat loss at all.

[blumom2boyz]

Another fishy pool user here! I am 5'8" and it was plenty deep for me. I was only in it about 45 minutes and didn't worry about heat loss (I actually got a little warm). The sides were sturdy enough for me. DH was NOT going to get in, but he leaned behind me and used the side to support him and it held up just fine. I am not sure how long it took for emptying...I was a little busy after the birth I would use it again, but we have a deep garden tub in this house and will be using that!

Good Luck with your decision!

[essnce629]

I also used the fishy pool last time and will most likely be using it again this time. The sides are extremely sturdy and the inflatable bottom is great. I'm 5'7 and it was plenty deep enough for me. Aren't the other pools just an inch or two deeper? I had mine inflated weeks in advance so when the time came I just had to fill it with water. Definately use an electric pump. I also have really fast labors and wouldn't want to spend a lot of money on a tub-- I'd be afraid my birth would be too fast to even use it! With my son's birth it was so fast the tub wasn't even done filling when my son was born! And the price of the fishy tub can't be beat!

[Azreial]

Now the fishy pool is sounding cgood again. Ahhh when should the pool be ordered, how many weeks?

[Full Heart]

My MW asks that everything be ready by 36 weeks. If you get something you want to air out esp you want it there a little early.

[southflmama]

We had a fishy pool for our first successful homebirth. I'm 5'10" and well over 200 pounds pregnant and loved the pool. I could get into a backfloat type position with my head on the soft side, legs bent at knees and just go to my special place during surges. It was wonderful. The water temperature wasn't a problem - kept a baby water thermometer in it and my hubby kept the temperature steady for me. I was in it for a good 3 hours. Don't know how they drained it, don't care, I was in new baby bliss. It was plenty deep...I was floating during surges. The added bonus is that my son got the pool to play in for 3 years..finally threw it away about a year ago, outside too long.

For this birth (in 7 weeks!) we'll just get another pool and I'm sure my 4 year old son will be happily snorkeling in it during labor. I'm also planning to install a knotted rope or hammock near/over the pool to help me into and out of squats, bearing down, etc.

Good luck in your decision.

[Amila]

We used the fishy- did not have any issues with the sides, and the water stayed warm for the whole 8ish hours! We just covered it with a shower curtain when I wasn't in it.

[Raene]

How long is everyone leaving the water in for before the birth...several weeks??? It does mold or anything?

[fairygirl13]

havent used one yet, but my thoughts on it are, its not deep enough to get the full anti-gravity effect that you get if the water is up to your chest, its not strong enough, you dont know what chemicals it is made with, and it will not keep the water warm. lots of studies show that body temp water is the best temp for a baby to be born in, it wont shock them by being too hot or cold, and is the best transition. if its too cold for the baby, it could get hypothermia, or even be in shock and not have the reflex to take a breath form it, and if its too hot, it can make the baby have a fever, and also not have the instant reflex to breath. a pool that keeps the temp at body temp is best. a aqua doula i believe does that.

[Azreial]

Thanks for all the replies. We decided on the fishy pool now I just need to figure out where to get it

[Full Heart]

Originally Posted by Raene

How long is everyone leaving the water in for before the birth...several weeks??? It does mold or anything?

We fill it at the time of labor. If a pool does not have a locking top and you have other children that is a drowning risk. There are spas you can get with filters though. It does not take that long to fill. I have had short labors and the pools were full by the time of the birth.

Azreial - KB Toy is going out of business and when I was there they had pools really cheap. I even mentioned to dh too bad we didn't need a new one. It was 1/2 off so it was like $10 or $15.

[DahliaRW]

I agree, fill the pool when you know you are in labor for sure. It doesn't take long, and you shouldn't be in it in early labor anyways.

[super mamabug]

Originally Posted by wearbaby

I used BPIAB and while I liked the depth and size, when it came time for pushing- water was literally pouring out onto my wood floors. It was a huge mess. I am going to rent an aquadoula this time around. My BPIAB got ruined when my DH threw it outside after the birth in January and it cracked all over (UGH DH!) Anyway- I'm hoping the aquadoula is better this time.

Sorry to hijack, but why did this happen. Why was the water pouring out?