La Bassine tub question - air leak

[allisonrose]

My midwife lent me a La Bassine tub. A former client of hers had purchased it and intended to rent it out but never quite did it and instead gave it to the midwife. So now the midwife lends it out to clients. She dropped to off last week and was telling me something about the last client who used it left it at her ex's house (long story she said) so she wasn't sure what kind of shape it'd be in and recommended I try blowing it up ahead of time. So I'm working on that but need to go out and buy an air pump to fill it because there's no way I can do it manually! I did take a look at the valve on it and noticed that there is some water in it. I figured it was just a bit from having been filled up but under closer inspection, I see there is water inside the walls of the tub! My heart is sinking because I don't have a good feeling about this. I imagine that water shouldn't be in there right? So likely there is a leak?

(Oddly there seems to be bits of leaves in it also. I guess the lady's ex had it outside or something. If it will hold air, my next step will be cleaning the thing up.)

Update: Definite leak. Any advice on finding and fixing it?

Edited by allisonrose - 12/28/10 at 8:07pm

[peainthepod]

We have a La Bassine (used in two births) and there's never been any water inside the walls of it. I would expect there to be a leak unless the thing was blown up by mouth, which could maybe add moisture to the air inside and would account for some small amount of condensation, maybe?

The leaves thing is pretty gross IMHO. If the tub is usable you might look into buying a disposable liner for it. Not the most eco-friendly thing but it's sanitary and makes cleanup much, much easier. We've used this company for both births and find them to be reputable and fast: http://www.yourwaterbirth.com/birth-pool-liners-covers-more-c-1_549.html

Good luck! I do hope the pool works for you--the La Bassine is an amazing birthing tool!

[allisonrose]

My midwife recommended lining the pool with a plastic drop cloth, using tape to secure it. I had already planned to do that to make clean up easier as you mentioned. I already cleaned it down inside and outside. (Didn't feel like having hubby notice that it was a bit of a mess.)

I got the outer ring blown up and when I (or my toddler) lean on it, there is a hissing noise. So there must be a leak somewhere. Ugh. I guess I need to try to figure out where the leak is and if it can possibly be patched.

I sat in it after cleaning it despite not having the floor of it blown up and just sitting in it dry was oddly relaxing. If the pool won't work out for me I'll probably be soliciting recommedations for fishy pools next...