Waterbirth questions, I'm sure everyone knows but me!!

[Lupena]

I would love to know how people keep their older children out of the birth pool when labouring...! Any tricks,etc? What are other mama's experiences? This never seems to be mentioned. I mean, I know my 4 year old and he will (understandably) want to hop right in... Sure, my mum and sister will be here to watch him, but the attraction seems like it will be too huge.
Should I distract him with a dvd? He's only seen two, so if a new one he would be enthralled, I hope...
Maybe I should let him in with me, but that seems, uh, sort of potentially traumatic for him.
Another thing I can't seem to figure out is when to set up the pool. Beforehand, or as soon as I go into labour?

Massive thanks in advice to everyone!

[cileag]

I only have one child so I'm not sure about the keeping the kid out question--although it seems from what I've read that kids pick up on the "tension" of the situation a little and many are intimidated by laboring mom anyway, so it might be a moot point.

I would recommend however that you set up the birth tub at around 38/39 weeks and then start filling it once you begin labor. As long as it doesn't take up too much space in your house, that worked well for us. My husband started filling the tub about around 8 and it took until 12 before it was ready---we had to fill then wait for the hot water heater to fill again, and then repeat several times.

Happy birthing!

[horsecrazy100]

I don't have any other children, so I can't really help with that question...

But our midwives and friends who have previously homebirthed recommended setting up the pool in advance. One of our friends waited and said she wished her DH could be with her and comforting her instead of having to set up the pool while she was labouring. She wished they had done it first and just had to fill it.

Also, I don't know what kind of pool you have, but ours is much easier with two people, as it's hard sided. It was much easier for us to do now. We took down the crib in the nursery to put it up since baby will be sleeping in our room for the first while anyway. This gave us enough room to make it work in there.

[Lupena]

Thanks so much! One question answered, one to go!

I hope the pool doesn't take so long to fill ( we have an aquaborn..) That ( 4 hours..) could theoretically be almost your whole labour!

[Banana731]

I came to the decision that I would let dd into the pool with me if she wanted, but she didn't even ask. I think she realized it wasn't "fun pool time" kwim? She had no problem being in there around it, but didn't ask to come in. She was 3.5. I think she might have come into our after bath, though. (it's a little fuzzy)

[nikirj]

My kids had no desire to get in the pool with me.

We filled it for a "false alarm" and then they used it as a hot tub, which was great, but during labor they weren't at all interested.

We also set up the tub right when I hit 37w and kept it propped against our bedroom wall, and started filling REALLY EARLY. If you fill with all-hot water and stop filling when the water starts to cool (so the water in the tub is still way too hot), you can cover it and in most cases the water will still be warm enough to continue your fill even if you wait overnight. Most pools take two full runs from the hot water heater to get full...ours, which was a bit larger, took three.

[lyshy]

I can't believe the time it takes everyone to fill their pool. We have a la bassine and did a trial run last week and it took us about an hour for complete setup. Blowing up the pool and everything.

My kids won't be around for the labour but my MW did say that the young kids (from her experience) were not actually very aware of what was going on... and while I would worry about my 3.5 yo dd she didn't think it would be an issue at all.

[Lupena]

Great info.... thanks everyone. I was wondering if he might be put off, but he's such a water nut!

Filling the pool in advance seems good in theory... but you'd have to do it every night! Our pool has a lid, so it's supposed to keep the water warm for a while.

[CoopersMommy0308]

We plan on doing a trial run around 38 weeks to see how long it takes to fill the pool up. And then we'll leave it up.

I honestly don't have a problem with my 2yo getting in the pool with me if he wants. But like a PP, I have heard that kids just pick up on what's going on and know not to get in. Guess I'll find out in Sept! lol

[nikirj]

Originally Posted by Lupena

Great info.... thanks everyone. I was wondering if he might be put off, but he's such a water nut!

Filling the pool in advance seems good in theory... but you'd have to do it every night! Our pool has a lid, so it's supposed to keep the water warm for a while.

I think most people meant to inflate the pool, since that takes about 30 min (less if you have a good pump, more if you try to do it with your own lungs). I wouldn't want to waste as much water as it would take to fill a pool every night! Then, in early labor, you can just roll the pool to its chosen location and start filling.

[jumpmama]

we filled the tub when I started labour...just make sure you have enough hot water to fill it! I decided to take a shower then we ran out of hot water to finish filling the pool...so the MW and DP were carting pots from the stove lol

[gabbyraja]

My kids did want to get in the pool with me. And until about transition it didn't matter at all. By the time I hit transition they'd gotten bored with it and on to other things. So, just let your water nut in early and he won't care when you really need him out.

This last time my kids (then 7 and 5) wanted to be in the pool when I pushed because they wanted to catch the baby. My 7 yr old son ended up catching. They were very good about remaining very still and not disturbing me. This time my daughter is adamant she will be the one catching, so she'll be in with me again. It was nice when they were pouring water over my back while I was on all fours, or rubbing my glutes between contractions, too. Little doulas in training.

[thebeljur]

I would suggest talking to your son about it beforehand. He's four, so he's certainly old enough to understand a lot about what's going to happen. You may be OK with him in there; you never know (and I don't think it would be traumatic...just follow his cues). In case you're not OK with him in there, just prepare him that you might need all the space in the pool, but that he'll be able to play in it another time (or do what another suggested and let him in it before you get in). I wouldn't worry about it, though. Really, it will all work out. We've never had a "situation" with our home waterbirths and the kids. I can still remember being in the pool with my daughter's head out waiting for the next contraction to push her body out. My 2 1/2-year-old son walked by and the midwife said, "Look, Jack, there's your sister!" He kind of shrugged and said, "Yeah" and kept walking by. LOL! I think they do get that the situation is not "party time," so don't worry about it.

As for when to blow up the pool, I would say about 2 weeks before your due date. That's when we always do it. I like to make sure there are no holes in it and just have it ready. I want to say it takes about an hour to fill, but that's really just a guess (and I guess it depends on the pool you use -- we use the fishy kiddie pool). My labors are pretty fast, so I'm always waiting for the water to fill, then I immediately get in and birth.

Congratulations on choosing waterbirth! They're the best!

[Mommy2Austin]

Go into labor right at bedtime

Oh thats just what happened for me lol Mine wanted to get in, but we had it set up in our bedroom and kept the door closed so I didn't have to try to labor with them climbing all over me like I did when I had my second

[Lupena]

Love all the answers... I assumed I would go into labor at night! Not so this time, 2 hours ago at 6AM.

Birth pool is filling, toys have already been added, haha...

[gabbyraja]

Congrats! Quick and easy labor vibes sent your way!

[laurata]

I've always gone into labor at night, so it wasn't an issue. I did use the pool a few times as a "hot tub" last time, and just told ds that it was "just for mama" and that he could use it next summer (and he did, but obviously that only works if you own your pool).

I hope I have baby in the wee hours of the morning again! I hate to think about juggling kids and childcare in labor now that I have four kids!

[thebeljur]

Originally Posted by Lupena

Love all the answers... I assumed I would go into labor at night! Not so this time, 2 hours ago at 6AM.

Birth pool is filling, toys have already been added, haha...

Holy Toledo! I didn't realize you were so close to the birth date! Can't wait to hear how it went.

[Lupena]

Thanks for all the sweet wishes. Babe now in my arms!

DS did want to get in, but only in early, easy labor. In fact the memory of he and I and I in the birth pool -which we set up in a back room next to a big window overlooking the garden- 'floating' in the warm water watching the birds in the cherry tree, is surreal; beautiful and precious. I can't imagine its beauty ever fading.

His brother was born in the pool that night. An intermittent, gentle pre- labor... followed by 15 intense minutes ( midwife barely made it... ) after DS finally fell asleep at 11:30. Guess my body 'let go' after that.

The pool was a gorgeous thing to have, thanks to all for advice!

[mommyfied]

congrats!!