which birthing tub?

[gabeyho]

I am sure this topic has been discussed in the past, but I can't find it. I am trying to plan for expenses and have a few q's about birthing tubs. So far as I can tell, the only one that comes with the water heater pump is the Aquadoula, however it is also the most costly and more than I would like to spend. So the one I am most drawn to in terms of comfort, convenience, and cost, is the Birth Pool in a Box. I am just most concerend about cost vs. comfort/convenience with warm water to last. SO, should I scrimp and save for one that has a water heater and just rent, or what? Are there any others I should be aware of?

[akind1]

I had the same concern: having hot water to last. the birth pool in a box (generally runs around 185) has a separate cover you can buy to retain the heat. I think generally speaking, most of the advice here says as the water cools down, drain or bail a bit and add fresh hot water, either from the tap, or if you've run out, then from the stove. After doing a lot of research, I think I am going to go with this tub:

http://www.yourwaterbirth.com/other-...pool-p-39.html

It is as deep as a la bassine and as big around, if not bigger than the birth pool in a box, and it's onl $35! it has an inflatable bottom and while it doesn't have handles, I do have 5 lb hand weights I can put in there that would serve that purpose. Hope this helps!

Katrina - first time mom to Gabriel, due 11/7

[jenners26]

We're going with a La Bassine. http://midwiferymercantile.com/labassinedetail.aspx

We looked at the hexagon tub in the pp, but since we're doing the birth on the second floor, I was concerned about weight...that tub holds nearly twice the water of the La Bassine, and I'm worried the floor in our old house wouldn't hold it!! Plus, there's no way our water heater could accomodate that.

I was really drawn to the Aqua Doula as well, but I've heard a lot of women say that by the time they hit the end of labor, they wanted a little cooler water, and the AD was just too warm.

[gabeyho]

Originally Posted by akind1

I had the same concern: having hot water to last. the birth pool in a box (generally runs around 185) has a separate cover you can buy to retain the heat. I think generally speaking, most of the advice here says as the water cools down, drain or bail a bit and add fresh hot water, either from the tap, or if you've run out, then from the stove. After doing a lot of research, I think I am going to go with this tub:

http://www.yourwaterbirth.com/other-...pool-p-39.html

It is as deep as a la bassine and as big around, if not bigger than the birth pool in a box, and it's onl $35! it has an inflatable bottom and while it doesn't have handles, I do have 5 lb hand weights I can put in there that would serve that purpose. Hope this helps!

Katrina - first time mom to Gabriel, due 11/7

I never noticed before that it had an inflatable floor....that's something to think about! I still think I really want the handles, though, plus the birth pool in a box has the nice seat in it and the separate air chambers that can support someone sitting on the side of it.

Also a good point about the water in the Aqua Doula being too warm at the end....I wouldn't have thought of that and now realize that would porbably be a bad thing for myself.

So, it looks like the pool in a box with the lid, unless anyone has any other suggestions....I am all ears!:

[paxye]

I used La Bassine and loved it, It was so comfy and the perfect size for me, and since my last UC it has seen the births of two other babies... and their mama's loved it too...

Our small water tank filled the pool with no problem and it stayed warm for the whole birth... DH did have boiling pots of water on the stove but it wasn't because of the water temperature but because the hot water felt REALLY good on my back in labour...

[Peony]

I've used an AquaDoula and a fishy pool. The AquaDoula was too warm at the end, we had to cool it down while I hopped around, desperately wanting in. : The fishy pool was similar to the one a pp linked to but mine was circular. It was perfect, the cushioned bottom was awesome, the sides were sturdy enough that I just leaned over them to push, no handles required.