Pool liner

[sfoxfire143]

If you buy your own birth pool for homebirth, do you really need a liner?
And
Does the liner cover up the internal handles?

Thanks

[Cavy]

good questions.
The handles must be covered up, perhaps the liner is shaped to accomodate.

If the pool is just for your own use, a one-time only thing, then why would you need a liner? And the next person to use your pool, they can use a liner so they can be sure of good hygiene too (in theory, personally I am pretty sure that the germ risk is very over-hyped).

So I guess, the pool could be used at least once by one person without a liner.
But will be interesting to see if anyone reckons different.

[nashvillemidwife]

Two words: clean up.

[melamama]

Yes, you need a liner. I'm not speaking from any germ standpoint, simply from the clean up perspective. It is well worth the $35 to not have to climb in and clean out the tub post-birth, there are all the ridges and corners to get in.

Also if you have a bpiab, the liner fits extremely snug, right over the handles so they are still useable. I was really really impressed at how well the liner is designed for that tub (after having used the basicbasic ones for the AquaDoulas).

[gillibean]

I didn't bother with a liner for mine. I've used it for one birth, my sister has used it for 2 and we've set it up in the basement several times for the kids to splash in. I didn't find that clean up was that big of a deal.

[sfoxfire143]

Thanks.
I am weighing the idea of renting the $450 birth pool from my midwife for $75, and with the liner I will still have to wash out the inside; or buying my own ($130 w/liner).