Who didn't use a pool?

[bclare]

I'm not really a water person-- we have lived in our home for 5 years and I have never used the bathtub before. Most of my friends having a HB swear by the pool, but for me, I think about the complications of filling it, draining it, having a pool on our beautiful hardwood oak floors, and if I would even want to use it. I can see that floating in water would be a lovely thing, but in my lack of experience at this point the negatives outweigh the positives. On a funny note, DH loves the bath and thinks he would love to be in a pool for my labor

Any other HB mamas skip the pool? Am I going to regret not having one?

[pwit]

I felt the same way for my first birth- but then when labor started I actually spent a lot of time in my bathtub. I didn't birth in the bath tub and I didn't have major regrets about not getting a pool for the birth either. If you really don't want to buy a pool you'll be fine without it.

BUT 2nd birth I had a $25 kiddie pool set up incase I wanted to use it and I did fill it up part way and use it a little bit at the end of my short labor.

Due with my 3rd baby now and have a pool available again. I'm not a big water person and the thought of sitting in the water to give birth sounds gross to me even. But that warm water really does help with pain. That said, I'm not 100% convinced I'll use the pool but the little kiddie pool and hose adapter to connect a hose to the kitchen sink doesn't cost much money and I like the option available.

[TyrantOfTheWeek]

I did have a water birth but we didn't buy or rent a big expensive birth pool. I birthed in our two person garden tub. I labored all but like 2 hours of the whole thing in there.

[rlmueller]

I have no desire

to be in the water. I imagine her sliding out in my bed with hubby asleep beside me and me neglecting to call midwife until after. Shhhhhhhhhhh.

[mamakori]

I really enjoyed spending time in the tub when I was in labor last time, but I had an overwhelming need to get out of the tub when it was getting close to time to push. We're having a HB this time, and instead of dealing with the hassle of a pool, I plan to use our garden tub and/or shower. So much easier than dealing with hose attachments, continually boiling water, draining afterwards, etc. I won't be able to totally submerge my belly, but hopefully it will work out OK! There are lots of ways to have a baby, and even though waterbirth is very popular right now, each mama needs to find what works for her!

[dachshundqueen]

The idea of floating in my own um birth products (?) really icked me out. I just couldn't come around it. I took hot showers and when I couldn't take those anymore moved to the birth chair. I certainly don't regret it.

Liz

[velveeta]

I used the tub with my first child, and it was fine. I mean, we had it, so why not. With #2, my bathtub was teeny, and I just didn't want to go for the AquaDoula or whatever, even though my midwife offered it for free. Like you, I was scared about having it leak onto our floors or something. Unlike you, though, I *do* love to take a bath. Sometimes, I take 2 a day when I am sore! With birth #2, I used the shower a lot, and gave birth on the bed.

I am planning to use the tub this time (#3) just because we now have a big tub in our bathroom, so again, why not? I just think that the birthing tubs seem like so much bother and effort. Plus, I would *hate* to run out of hot water. Just imagine if it leaked!!

[Vespertina]

Planned a waterbirth, but he was born unexpectedly on my bed. Talk about a huge mess. By the time I felt pressure and him descending there was no time to walk to the pool. I thought about it briefly, but there was NO way I was moving. I was stuck in the position I was in.

[JorgieGirl]

My sister chose to not waterbirth for her three babies and she much prefers it that way. Even after witnessing my waterbirth. It's just not something that gives her a relaxing peaceful feeling.

Where ever you find your peace is where you need to be, regardless of someone elses experience.

[ColwynsMommy]

My first was induced, so no tub.

With my second, I got in the tub in the hospital and had maybe two contractions in it before deciding to get out. It just felt wrong, but I couldn't really say why.

My third was born at home, and we bought a fishy pool and set it up in my living room. I did like being in it in between contractions, but hated it during contractions. I felt like I wasn't anchored enough, that I was going to float away or something. For a while I submerged in between contractions and stood up during, but I didn't want to lean on anything (which was the most comfortable position for me) because I was soaking wet. So it was essentially a waste of time/effort. Plus, my husband left one end of the hose in the sink and the other in the pool overnight, and at some point the end fell out of the sink and quite a lot of water drained out of the pool onto my kitchen floor, which soaked through and ruined a few of the ceiling tiles in my parents' bathroom downstairs.

We'll be skipping the pool this time. I did like the shower, and I'm sure that'll be enough.

[fruitfulmomma]

I've thought about it with every pregnancy but never gotten around to it for whatever reason. I really love the tub and shower during labor though.

[bcblondie]

I bought one but my labour was way too fast to fill it up! (woke up at 445, baby here by 815)

I had back labour and really wished I could have used it but, really, it was bearable. I think being at home relaxed me a LOT and it didn't get horribly painful until I was actually pushing.

Oh and if the same thing happens next time I'm going to try get in the tub, at least. We have one of those shower heads that detatch so I hear that's really nice on your back.

So yeah! You can forgo buying the pool and hop in the tub if you want!

[Bmorefarmgirl]

i feel the same way about the complications of it! we don't have room for one except in the living room which has a big bay window and is not near any water source. then to have to fill it, clean it, have people dipping their arms in it all the time to feel around for things, having my husband have to get wet to be near me. it just seems like a big hassle, and i want to be able to lay down, get up, do things, move around. not be in a pool and have to find a towel or think about slipping and falling every time i want to move. it just does not appeal to me. i think it would be great to have the shower beating on my back when i am in labor, but other than that, i don't think the pool seems so great. my sister got in a jacuzzi tub for both her babies and she got out when she was in transition both times. she got too hot in the tub and wanted to get up. i told that to one midwife, and she said that is often what happens. i told that to a birth assistant today (that i did not want a water birth) and she acted like that was so bizarre to not want a tub. ?? to each her own.

[averlee]

I didn't want a pool for my homebirth, because it would take up all the floor space, and I wanted the floor space for walking on! I did get in & out of the tub a few times in the first few hours of labor, but when I started having to "evacuate" my bowels I had no desire to be in the water.

[Engineering_Mama]

I had a pool for my (attempted) homebirth and I loved laboring in it. DH took care of all the prep, filling, heating, etc. so it was no problem! We ended up transferring to the hospital so my mom and brother ended up taking it down and cleaning it the next day. I didn't even worry about it. But if you're not a water person then don't feel like you need one. My brother's ex-wife had her last two children at home and never ever wanted a pool. She's not a water person. Do whatever makes you comfortable.

[sweetiebird]

I didn't use a pool or tub or shower or anything with my first. It went relatively quickly (water broke at 9:30, he was born at 3:00) and I was coping fine without.

This time, I'm having a homebirth (last time was midwife assisted hospital) and I'm not interested in a pool again. I like the idea of a bath, but every time I have one I overheat and am out within 5 minutes. So to me, that would be a lot of work for 5 minutes

I think whatever makes you the most comfortable is the way to go. There is no one perfect way for everyone to labour/give birth that is exactly the same. We all have our own perfect way to do it and for some that includes water and for others it doesn't.

[bclare]

Thanks, ladies, this is all so helpful. I was just thinking that if I had a jacuzzi outside I would hop right in that, but really your reassurance that it can be fine with the tub and shower I have is great. We did just put in a great new shower head which I adore, so I am sure I will be in there....It is so nice to have all of this support!

[bcblondie]

Awesome! Good luck with your birth. I can't wait to get pregnant again. My labour was the best I could have asked for. What an amazing experience. I hope yours is too!

[almadianna]

Some people just are not water people and that is ok. While I did use a tub with mine I know many who did not, some thought that they would and ended up hating it. Others thought it was too cold. Still some could not find a comfortable spot. While waterbirth is bliss for some, it is not for others and that is ok. That's the fun of homebirth, it doesnt have to be one size fits all.