homebirth on a budget - doula or water birth tank?

[whoabethy]

Hi there,
We're on a budget and it's looking like a birth tank rental and a doula are about the same price and we can only afford one. Which should I choose? If you could only have one, which was more helpful?

Some details: our apartment has no bathtub (only a shower) and my mom will be in town for 3 weeks - she arrives 1 week before my EDD. i don't plan on a water birth per se, but water is a big comfort for me. i guess i could just get a kiddie pool...maybe that's another poll.

SO, what would you do?

[carmen358]

Hmm good question. I think it depends on a couple of things. Are you hoping for a water birth or just planning on using the tub for labouring? If the latter, is water a huge comfort for you and part of your birth plan? I think a shower can be fine for awhile but I'm not sure how long you could comfortably labour there (from what I've heard/read).

I chose doula assuming that a water birth wasn't part of your plan and that you could be "happy" with just a shower for comfort.

[starkyld]

I'm a big-time bathtub lounger and getting a birthing tub is a higher priority for me than hiring a doula. Then again, I LOVE my midwife (seriously, she is awesome) and don't feel as much like I'm going to need a doula as a result. If I were planning a hospital birth or didn't feel as comfortable with having a midwife, hiring a doula would become more important for me. As it is, I think I'm going to skip--even though I know and greatly respect some doulas in the area--because I just really don't have much money these days myself. I may change my mind.

[jtrt]

I just posted in the January DDC about the birth tub I bought on eBay for $167 including shipping. The doulas in my area are $500-600 so the tub was much less. I have had two waterbirths so the tub was a necessity for our upcoming birth. Here's the link if you are interested: http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1139800
Amy

[prancie]

Get both, kiddie pools are cheap and work just fine. Plus I've heard some of those tanks that you rent are not so comfy.

[rootzdawta]

Moved from I'm Pregnant to Homebirth.

[mpvelaz]

I used a kiddie pool and it was perfect This one
http://www.amazon.com/Calsplash-Infl...2&sr=8-1-spell

It is cheap and worked great. I also had a doula that I probably could have done without except she took pictures of the birth for me.

[Peony]

I've birthed in a kiddie pool and an expensive AquaDoula, hands down the kiddie pool was the best. Save your money and go that route.

[mommyndoula]

I say doula because you can always use a bath tub or shower already in your home (which is FREE) and ya never know, some women who plan water labors/births get into labor and HATE water, then what?

[heidi_m]

I voted pool, but I had a home water birth with a blowup fishy pool in the kitchen when we lived on Long Island. It was awesome - plenty of room even for my husband to be in the pool with me. I think it cost $17.

I can't imagine that a doula would have been any more help than our midwife and her asst were at home. In a hospital would be a completely different story, however.

[crunchy_mama]

I don't really see doulas as necessary myself. I want as few people as there as possible. I had one for #1 but honestly it was more because from all the reading I thought I needed one. I wouldn't go for an expensive tub either and I really loved my waterbirth. The water to me is integral for coping in labor- whether or not you birth in it. Of course we all have different needs and wants.

[mwherbs]

does your midwife do labor support? some midwives really don't or they do little. find out because the doula may be an important help --
additionally
I have worked around the rental pools and I don't think that they are any better than the fishy pool- infact the fishy pool for most moms I have seen offers better purchase when pushing- the larger pool mom frequently ends up floating off her feet a bit too much-- and the fishy pool has wide sides- so hands and knees works better and can support mom's arms and head--

[sebarnes]

I voted for doula and then I'd get the blow up pool. It's what I used at my birth, and it was fabulous!

[annanicole]

Originally Posted by heidi_m

I voted pool, but I had a home water birth with a blowup fishy pool in the kitchen when we lived on Long Island. It was awesome - plenty of room even for my husband to be in the pool with me. I think it cost $17.

I can't imagine that a doula would have been any more help than our midwife and her asst were at home. In a hospital would be a completely different story, however.

I totally agree with this post and this is what I was about to post

[Captain_Crunch]

I voted for the Birth tank, but really it depends on exactly how much $$ we're talking about here. I certainly wouldn't be paying hundreds of dollars for something I may or may not use. Now speaking for myself, I could totally see buying a BPIAB for $185 and trying to get the doula as well if we're looking at several hundred dollars.

Another thought I just had was..
Are there any student midwives who would be willing to act as a doula for a small fee? Students often need to log hours attending births as part of their education and many schools will allow a certain portion of those to be as a doula.

[femalephish]

I didn't vote because I didn't have either and I did fine! Good luck with your choice, whatever you decide I'm sure you'll do great!

(ps I found the regular bathtub and the warm spray of the shower both to be comforting during labor.)

[acemama]

I vote kiddie pool and a doula Good luck!

[~Kristina~]

Doula and a kiddie pool.

[sarahn4639]

doula and kiddie pool!!

[Bromache]

I say doula and a kiddie pool, too.

I had neither for my first birth (and was just fine), but I've invested quite a bit in a birthing pool and accessories this time around (couldn't find an adequate kiddie pool here in Canada to save my life!). A doula is not for me -- I prefer as few people and as much quiet as possible in labor -- but I know they're invaluable for many women, so if you feel like you'd want one and aren't sure so much about actually birthing in the pool, I'd go for a cheap pool and splurge on the doula.