La Bassine vs Birth Pool In A Box

[Talula Fairie]

I know there are other pools out there and I've researched them all. It's down to these two for me. I like BPIAB becuase it has a seat which might be useful after labor and it's the deepest inflatable pool. But La Bassine looks nice too, is only marginally shallower, and is a bit cheaper.

Anyone who has tried either of those two, feel free to weigh in!

[flipsforfun]

well I will be using my BPIAB any day now, so can't weigh in just yet... But I was sold on it over La Bassine because of the little bit of extra depth (I have long legs and torso), the extra padding on the bottom (I have a bad knee), the seat, and handles on the outside. I've heard lots of people like to lean over the side.

[RachaelsMommy]

I've been leaning toward the BPIAB, plus they are coming out with a heater for it soon.

[wbg]

I used the la bassine and LOVED it!

[Talula Fairie]

Originally Posted by wbg

I used the la bassine and LOVED it!

What did you like about it? Was the bottom padded enough? Did you like the depth? What about the size in general?

[DahliaRW]

I had a la bassine and loved it as well. We actually didn't have to fill it all the way to the fill line for it to be deep enough (my mw wanted it deep enough to cover my belly, but my chest out so that when the baby came I could nurse in the water if I wanted). It was very padded and cushy and just well constructed all around. I honestly didn't see the need for a seat at all. In labor no way I was sitting on my bottom because the baby's head made it too painful. And after he was out I just leaned back on dh and squatted sort of until the placenta was out (it took a while and I nursed in the meantime). And by then I was more than ready to get out.

[haurelia]

Originally Posted by DahliaRW

I had a la bassine and loved it as well. We actually didn't have to fill it all the way to the fill line for it to be deep enough (my mw wanted it deep enough to cover my belly, but my chest out so that when the baby came I could nurse in the water if I wanted). It was very padded and cushy and just well constructed all around. I honestly didn't see the need for a seat at all. In labor no way I was sitting on my bottom because the baby's head made it too painful. And after he was out I just leaned back on dh and squatted sort of until the placenta was out (it took a while and I nursed in the meantime). And by then I was more than ready to get out.

:
Loved the la Bassine. But, I borrowed it from my MWs, so I didn't have a choice, and didn't check anything else out. I even labored in the La Bassine dry for a while...it was good to kneel and lean in there because of the padding. It was very roomy, and I would totally use it again.

[D'sMama]

FWIW, I had a BPIAB and never used the seat. It was much nicer to kneel and lean over the side. For that, it was awesome! I didn't birth in it, though. (I'm one of those weird people who didn't like the water. It sped things up too quickly for me and I had to get out to get my bearings. ) I do think the seat would be great for a partner to sit on to support you during a squat or give a backrub or something.

*Just don't let cats near it!*
One of my cats thought it would be fun to try to climb under the tarp that was over it for the week before the birth and punctured the middle tube. We patched the hole with duct tape, which kept it inflated long enough for the birth, but what a pain that was!

[Romana]

I have used both during labor, and there is absolutely no question that I by FAR preferred the BPIAB. The La Bassine was too short, which made it somewhat ineffective, and the sides weren't supportive enough. While I was leaning over the sides of the La Bassine laboring, water kept sloshing out. With the BPIAB, I was able to lean over just fine with no water getting out AND I felt much more comfortable and supported by the sides. The design is far superior, IMO.

I'm about 5'9". If I were shorter and was worried about the BPIAB being too big, I would get the smaller version of the BPIAB. I really think it is a much better birth pool.

Also, the bottom of the La Bassine wasn't padded enough - we put two relatively inexpensive "egg-crate" foam things under it (the things you put on a bed to make the mattress more comfy). They were absolutely necessary to making it comfortable for my knees. I can't remember if we had the same setup for the BPIAB or not - I do remember that my knees were just fine.

[mommajam]

So, my 2cents is, if you are tall, go for the deeper one!

I have not tried a La Bassine. I have tried an installed birthing tub in the birth center, and then a fishy pool for the last birth which was at home. I also have long legs at 6'0", and after my experiences have chosen to get BPIAB.
The birth center tub was nice, but I actually preferred the room of the fishy pool. HOwever, neither of those was deep enough to cover my lower back when I was on hands and knees, and I desparately needed that during my more painful contractions. It still worked out ok because I had my husband pour the warm water over that area during a contraction, and I would certainly go for a fishy pool again rather than the birth center tub or nothing,
BUT in searching for this birth I was definitely looking for the deepest tub I could get. BPIAB seems to be the one. (I suppose Aqua Doula might actually be deeper, but the cost was prohibitive, and renting one would cost the same as buying BPIAB, so I'd rather own my own.) We bought it and set it up for a trial. I think it's going to work out great.


If height is not an issue, then I bet the La Bassine might do just fine -- especially if the fishy pool worked ok for me. The only thing I'd say between the La Bassine and the fishy pool, is that the fishy pool definitely has a tendency to spill over, and i hear that the La Bassine's sides are stiffer, more like the BPIAB.

Another thing I like about the BPIAB is that the height is adjustable because of the three ring design and so my shorter sisters can use it and take the sides down a bit if they need it.

[Talula Fairie]

Originally Posted by mommajam

So, my 2cents is, if you are tall, go for the deeper one!

I have not tried a La Bassine. I have tried an installed birthing tub in the birth center, and then a fishy pool for the last birth which was at home. I also have long legs at 6'0", and after my experiences have chosen to get BPIAB.
The birth center tub was nice, but I actually preferred the room of the fishy pool. HOwever, neither of those was deep enough to cover my lower back when I was on hands and knees, and I desparately needed that during my more painful contractions. It still worked out ok because I had my husband pour the warm water over that area during a contraction, and I would certainly go for a fishy pool again rather than the birth center tub or nothing,
BUT in searching for this birth I was definitely looking for the deepest tub I could get. BPIAB seems to be the one. (I suppose Aqua Doula might actually be deeper, but the cost was prohibitive, and renting one would cost the same as buying BPIAB, so I'd rather own my own.) We bought it and set it up for a trial. I think it's going to work out great.


If height is not an issue, then I bet the La Bassine might do just fine -- especially if the fishy pool worked ok for me. The only thing I'd say between the La Bassine and the fishy pool, is that the fishy pool definitely has a tendency to spill over, and i hear that the La Bassine's sides are stiffer, more like the BPIAB.

Another thing I like about the BPIAB is that the height is adjustable because of the three ring design and so my shorter sisters can use it and take the sides down a bit if they need it.

Well I'm fairly short (5'4") but I really think that the fishy pool isn't deep enough. I want water up to the bottom of my boobs at least. Plus yeah, I want the harder sides to avoid spillover.

The Aquadoula is surprisingly not all that deep. They list it as internal depth 2' (24" deep) with 25" sides. For reference, the Fishy Pool has 23" sides, La Bassine is 25" (22" internal) and BPIAB is 28" (internal depth 26").

Hmm. BPIAB is a LOT deeper. Now I'm back to not being able to decide!

[ShwarmaQueen]

: Subbing.

[ani'smommy]

I used LB and LOVED it. Plenty of padding and plenty of depth -- and I'm 5'11"