Where to buy a used birth tub?

[MammaG]

I'm posting in the homebirth forum for the first time and I've only skimmed the first page of posts, so very sorry if I'm duplicating something that gets talked about endlessly!

We're planning our second homebirth in 8 short weeks. I've been on the fence about renting a tub, as I was in labour for less than three hours last time...never even got into the shower! We're short on money, so renting something we may not even have time to set up for $250 seems a waste. We were planning to get a kid's inflatable pool and a pump and hose. (At least we can re-use the pool for the kids, the pump for cleaning out the fish tank and the hose in the garden!)

At my appointment today, my midwife (bless her!) suggested buying a used birthing tub and selling it again after the birth. Apparently we can get a liner cheaply. Anyone know where I might begin a search? I briefly tried Craigslist, not expecting much and saw nothing there.

Thank you!

[Peace+Hope]

i found one through a yahoo group of moms in my local area. i'd look around for mom's groups near you, try craigslist and maybe your mdc tribal area.

[gentlestrengths]

What about the inflatable fishy pool??

It is my FAVORITE. I had a real birth pool with my second labor, and it was horrible. There are all kinds, but the kind my midwife rented had sidewalls that were thin, so you couldn't lean on the side and be comfortable, it just wasn't comfortable at all. I only suggest inflatable sidewalls to people now. It just makes sense. Usually you can find the fishy pool at Toys R Us, or even target. I got a second one for $15 at the Army equivalent of walmart (the Post Exchange). The bottom inflates too, so it is seriously comfortable. I love it. And you can use it for your kids next summer too. You can find it at qualityinflatables.com if you can't get it near you since pools aren't really in season right now. The fishy pool used to be around $30 on their site, but they changed it and it is now sold as a shade pool, so it is about $55. Still - better than most, and it is SUPER comfy.

Good luck!

[gentlestrengths]

Ahh, I found it!

http://qualityinflatables.com/56493.html

[lesliesara63]

Does anyone know if the smaller 60x22 pool is still available anywhere? I looked everywhere this summer and couldn't find one. They used to sell it on that website.

[weliveintheforest]

Is there any kind of local birth network or facebook groups you could post on? Maybe put up a note on the midwife's bulletin board if she has one?

[StephM76]

Originally Posted by lesliesara63

Does anyone know if the smaller 60x22 pool is still available anywhere? I looked everywhere this summer and couldn't find one. They used to sell it on that website.

I ordered mine from Red's Pools. It cost me $25 with shipping. It is an Intex pool and I'm doing the test run tonight. So far it seems sturdy and comfortable.Here is the link. On the website it says 60x20, but it really is 60x22. http://www.redspools.com/inflate2.asp

ETA: I just finished the test run. This pool was so worth the money! The sides were sturdy, the bottom was comfortable, and it filled in less than 45 minutes. It retained heat very well too, we left it for about half an hour and the temperture only went down a couple degrees.

[lesliesara63]

That is a great price! Thanks!

[caro113]

Originally Posted by gentlestrengths

Ahh, I found it!

http://qualityinflatables.com/56493.html

That's what we're doing!! It's a great idea!

[Kismet_fw]

I bought this for my dd's second delivery. With pillows in the bottom, and a heavy duty liner, we still kept it under $100. Not sure how much DH spent on the faucet adapter (like you'd use to fill a waterbed) and the food-grade hose (for large fish tanks), but can't be much over.

Tank will be available in the Austin, Tx area if someone wants to borrow it, right after this one is born.

[Mi_LuBelle]

Doing about the same as everyone else has mentioned and am going with the Intex Ocean Reef pool for about $45 after shipping. MW rents out one, but it's over $80 after the liner...and that's a little more than we wanted to spend. Just cheaper to get the kiddie pool all the way around.

[MammaG]

Great ideas, ladies! Thanks and keep 'em coming!

[Keeta]

So, I'm new to HB and am interested in the fishy pool idea. Other than the pool itself, what else does one need to buy/obtain?

TIA!

[Keeta]

Fishy Pool...What Else Do I Need?

........

[gentlestrengths]

Originally Posted by Keeta

So, I'm new to HB and am interested in the fishy pool idea. Other than the pool itself, what else does one need to buy/obtain?

TIA!

I didn't use a liner or anything. Just make sure you can hook your hose up, and that it reaches. I always buy a new hose, the drinking water hoses if you can buy them. If not, just make sure you FLUSH the hose with water before you fill it otherwise you'll get dirt and dust and grime in your water (we did this once).

It'll only be heated by the hot water you put in it. I usually set mine at about 104 degrees. Most people will say that is too hot for having a baby in but it cools down, and you can add more hot water, and take cool water out if you need to. I've never needed to. My labors are always long too.

I do buy a plastic paint drop cloth to put over the pool to keep the heat in, and I put a blanket over top of that. When I get out, I put both back over the pool to keep it warmer.

I've never wanted to birth in the water, but obviously it shouldn't be 104 if you give birth in it.

Home Depot has some sort of siphon thing that you can attach that somehow sucks the water back out - it was like $6 - very cheap...in the plumbing area - normally the siphons are expensive...we were shocked to have found that. You can ask or look for whatever that cheapo thing is if you want an easy way of draining.

My husband seriously actually mouth-siphoned the first time. LOL. Again, I've never birthed in the water, but still. LOL. My husband - my hero. LOL.

Let me know if you have other questions!

[MammaG]

Hey, I was JUST ABOUT to order a pump online and checked in here to see if there were any further ideas. Amanda, can you remember the brand of the siphon> Is it a self-priming one? I also don't intend to actually birth in the water, but still.....poor DH if he has to prime it by mouth! I have a siphon for my fish tank that self-primes, but it's tiny....something like it only bigger would be perfect.

Thanks!
G.