where to put birth pool

[jorona]

We have a small house and I really only have 2 choices for where to put the birth pool - 1) in our bedroom or 2) in my son's room, which he has never slept in and is set up as more of a playroom.

We cosleep with him and I really don't like the idea of laboring overnight (which means setting up and filling the pool at the least) while whomever is watching him tries to keep him asleep or at least happy outside of our bed. Best case scenario is that I labor and birth during the day.

On the other hand, his room is fine for the pool as long as I do end up wanting to labor and birth in the water (I've never had a home or water birth so who knows what I'll want). If I end up wanting to labor or birth on land, it will be in his bedroom floor or back to our bedroom - in which case we'd have to figure out somewhere else for him to go regardless. Laboring on the couch or anywhere else in the house isn't an option due to others who will be here.

I have worried over this decision more than anything else over the last few weeks! Where would you put the pool?

[momasana]

If I were you, I would probably set up the pool in DS's room. That way if you labor and deliver in the evening you can leave him undisturbed in the family bed. Or he can be put to bed in his regular spot of you start in the day and go into the night.

Is there a comfy spot to deliver on land in his bedroom? Also, which room is closest to your bathroom? I found that I was up and down to the bathroom many times during labor.

[jorona]

The more I think about it the more I think his room would be best. His dresser, toddler bed and toys are there but there's still enough room for the pool. I think I'd be better off putting some old blankets and pillows in the closet just in case, someone could make a little nest for me with those in case I do want or need to get out.

Both rooms are right across the hall from the bathroom so I'm lucky there!

[HeatherB]

We've had cosleepers when birth came around, too, and still put the pool in our room. For our LOs, they've been up when we were up mostly, anyway, or passed out with Grandma while sitting on the couch. I think only you know what your LO will need most, but I would always prefer to have the pool in my room - my own private space - where I can move about from bed to pool as needed. I also have labored on the bed a lot before I get into the pool, and it's a good height to lean over or onto, and comfortable to lay on or kneel on, etc. One of my favorite spots was kneeling on the bed and leaning over the birth ball (on the bed)!

LOs almost always do really well at births, night or day, so it's really a matter of what you're most comfortable with.

[jorona]

I thought about that too, about wanting to have my bed available, but I just can't shake feeling like it won't be a good idea. If DS were older and understood more of what is happening I would do it...but seeing the pool next to our bed would send him over the edge when he finds out it's not his for swimming.

[Jaimee]

Everyone is different, but I couldn't have cared less what bed I was on when I was in labor. What was way more important to me was that my dd was asleep and a) not distracting me while I labored and b) not upset by what I was doing (like vocalizing loudly at a few points). I say put the pool in your ds's room so that he can remain happily asleep in your bed if that's where he is when labor starts. Afterward you will be able to slip into your own bed for family snuggles without having to deal with removing/changing the sheets.

Also take into consideration where you are filling/draining the pool from and how long of a hose you'll need to reach that faucet.

[LaydieBugs]

You mention whether or not you "want" to birth in water or on land -- which location would be best if you don't really have a choice?

I've heard of a few home births where something changed as the baby was being delievered, such that they had to get the mom out of the tub quickly.

My own ... I fully intended to birth in the tub, and was very stubborn about not leaving the tub after hours of pain that was abnormal for labor, and pushing that wasn't getting anywhere. They HAD to get me onto the bed and into a different position, because we actually needed the gravity to deal with a stuck tailbone.

We unfortunately hadn't really taken the possibility seriously, that I'd deliver in the bed, and didn't have the bed fully prepped ... had to do a lot of extra laundry because the pillows weren't protected and the plastic wasn't well enough attached to the mattress!

[Romana]

I think putting it in your son's room would be best. We put ours in the kitchen.

I agree with the prudence of having the bed properly prepped. I don't think it's very likely at all that I'll give birth on the bed, but I always have it ready. I layer it this way from the bottom (i.e., mattress) up:

(1) High-quality waterproof mattress pad

(2) Nice, new fitted and top sheet

(3) Cheapo (but still 100% effective!) fitted waterproof liner

(4) Cheapo or old fitted and flat sheet

That way, I can make a mess of the top layer and there is that nice bottom layer all clean and ready for me, but still waterproof in case of any accidents that might happen later (especially all that new baby spitup and milk leakage).

ETA: I have everything organized ahead of time, but I make the bed while in early labor.