Waterbirth question advice needed

[loriann]

Hi there, my partner and I recently purchased a pool for our water birth. However, I am worried that it might be a little too big and if I happen to have a short labor I would miss out on getting to use it. We did a test fill and it took about 6 or 7 hours!My question is would it be safe to possibly fill up some big (new/clean)trash barrels and have them ready to go ahead of time to cut down on the fill time? And I am also a little worried about whether or not we will be able to keep the temp warm enough. The pool is 8ftx30inches. We are first timers at this and any advice or info would be appreciated. Thanks!

[nashvillemidwife]

Can you get a smaller pool? Honestly, the size you have is inappropriate in addition to impractical. It's going to be very difficult for anyone to help you in a pool that big.

[loriann]

Thanks for the input,We looked last night at a few smaller ones. I guess that will probly have to be the next route we will have to look at. Unfortuently, since we already filled this one I doubt we will be able to take it back.

[is it puppies?]

I wish we had an 8 foot pool! I don't think my dh can get in with me in the one we have. It is maybe 4ft and I won't be able to float sideways or really be relaxed on my side. If I sit in it I think the water will be past my shoulders (should I fill it that deep) but I would barely be able to stretch my legs. For filling it, I was told was to keep the tank on super hot and fill it ASAP with only hot water and then it can be adjusted/filled more once it's in use (which I think isn't till 7cm anyways?).

I don't know if your pool is deep enough for an actual water birth at 30" but I could be wrong. I know it's important that the baby not touch air first if you are going to actually birth in the water so I guess it depends what position you birth in and how tall you are.

[loriann]

Well I think the box was misleading It is a round pool and I just measured it diagonally across it is actually only a little under six ft across. They must have been including the parts that inflate in that 8ft measurement.? It fits nicely in front of our fireplace in the living room. I realize downsizing to a smaller pool might be a more wise choice.

[Jane]

well, if it's not filling fast enough, put people in it! They will take up space and keep it warm.
another option is to fill up some of the space with blankets, pillows, inflatable toys, etc, and then cover those up with a plastic liner.
You can't keep water around unless you treat it with chlorine or something to sanitize it. I wouldn't recommend that.
Just send someone to fill it with the first inkling of labor. If labor doesn't start up for reals, just enjoy floating in it for a day and dump it.

[Jazzmin]

Filling the pool with some towels or some type of small seat and then lining the pool would be a great idea. Last time, I really wished there was a padded seat in my pool.

Also, when labor came DH was able to fill up the pool very quickly. He got the hose in and running. Started boiling pots of water on the stove and filled up large buckets in the bathtub. He was running like a mad man, but I would say the pool was at a comfortable level within 40 minutes. My pool was 60"x22", not as big as yours, but I still think you will find the your pool will fill quicker than the test run if you get creative.

[loriann]

Thanks for the good tips!

[Defenestrator]

If you can unscrew your shower head in the bathroom you can get an adapter that fits that pipe. It has a larger diameter than most sink faucets and you can get more water through the hose at greater pressure.

[turnquia]

Originally Posted by Defenestrator

If you can unscrew your shower head in the bathroom you can get an adapter that fits that pipe. It has a larger diameter than most sink faucets and you can get more water through the hose at greater pressure.

Stacia

great idea! We are't sure we will do a waterbirth with the twins, but I will have to remember this if we do it! Haha if your here maybe you can remind us.