water heaters for birth pool?

[SereneBabe]

Sorry if this has been addressed before, but I didn't find it in the stickies or in searching...

Is there such a thing as a heater for the birthing pool? I'm really wanting to be sure the water is warm. We rent and have no control over the water heaters (in a locked basement) so we can't turn it up. (New landlords we don't know so I don't want to even mention we're homebirthing in case they freak.)

I suppose we could boil water on the stove all the time (the pool will be in the playroom/diningroom which is open to the kitchen). But, surely there's something we could use to warm the water in the pool? Or, maybe not...

Thanks for any responses!

--Heather

[trauerweidchen]

I know there are pools you can get that are designed to use with or have a heater (the AquaDoula is such a pool), but from what I've read if you're using an inflatable pool you have to be careful with a heater because you could damage the walls (thereby causing the pool to deflate), or have other potential issues. If you can't get a heater for the pool, at least try to have a cover so you can preserve as much heat as possible when you aren't in it.

We have a similar problem to yours, only we *are* the landlords. The problem is we share one water heater with two other apartments, so I'm just hoping that we aren't filling the pool as our tenants are trying to shower. I'm planning to boil water as necessary to keep the pool warm once it is filled.

Sorry I don't have a specific product to recommend; hopefully someone else on here has more information than I do!

[MidwifeErika]

We boiled water for ours and it was the easiest way to control the temperature. We just kept the big soup pot and tea kettle going throughout my labor and adding more as we needed (my husband added and I directed).

As far as heaters, I have heard from people they don't really work to heat the water up, but help to maintain the temp. Also, if you use the wrong kind or use it inappropriately, you could risk electrical problems (electricity and water generally don't mix well).

[ilovejeff]

To maintain the water temp, you can use an aquarium heater, just get one that is appropriate to your water volume. I emailed DH to ask him whether he thought it could melt a fishy pool (he is a : geek) I'll let you know what he says.

[rixafreeze]

You could get a 5 gallon metal bucket and one of these bucket heaters to boost the pool's temperature (just don't put the bucket heater right in the pool if it's an inflatable!) They have a very powerful heating element and you could heat it right next to the birth pool, rather than boiling and hauling small pots of water.

[rixafreeze]

You can also use these in plastic buckets. They will eventually bring the water to a boil they are so powerful. Anyway I have one of these on hand and I think it will be perfect for supplementing my small (30 gallon) water heater for both filling the pool and maintaining temperature.

[ilovejeff]

DH says that aquarium heaters don't get hot enough to melt a fishy pool...they have so stay cool enough that they won't kill the fish.

[ZoeyZoo]

The aquadoula pools have a heater. You could also boil a pot of water and add when ever you need it a little warmer. A lot of people cover their pools to keep the heat in.

[Lynda&Jenna]

At my dh's homebirth we used a water bed heater. It lays under the pool to keep it warm.
Lynda

[RachaelsMommy]

Originally Posted by rixafreeze

You could get a 5 gallon metal bucket and one of these bucket heaters to boost the pool's temperature (just don't put the bucket heater right in the pool if it's an inflatable!) They have a very powerful heating element and you could heat it right next to the birth pool, rather than boiling and hauling small pots of water.

I was going to suggest something like this, also, the Birth Pool in a Box is coming out with a heater. I don't know when though.