Completing the birth pool trial run - emptying it!

[gumshoegirl007]

The trial run for our birth pool (La Bassine) set up is now entering into day 3! 

On Sunday we got the pool inflated and bought some extra tap adapters so we could fill it.  Turns out the bathroom sink isn't a threaded faucet and that's really key for adapters. We used a dishwasher adapter to make it work. After much finagling, we were able to get 2-3 inches of water into the tub which we left overnight to check for leaks.

On Monday I filled the tub up the rest of the way.  I had to totally rejig the sink hook up, but it works now.  We figured that we can get the tub 3/4 full before we run out of hot water.  The only thing is that the temperature is registering at 34 degrees Celsius (90-ish Fahrenheit).  While the booklet and my research says the temperature should be between 37-38 degrees, I felt the temperature was pretty great last night when I crawled into the tub.  Anyone have any thoughts or concerns on this?  (I believe our taps all have anti-scald mechanisms and the water can't get any hotter, so we'd have to boil and dump).

Now this is the tricky part.  How do we empty the tub?  We were planning on using the same hose that we filled it with - 25 foot white drinking hose - to siphon the water out, but we can't seem to get it to go.  By the time we get the hose from the tub to the window, and out the window, I don't think it has the gravity to get the suction going and drain it.  The window is higher than the tub.  So when you suck through the hose at the window height, you get a mouthful of water and that's about it.

We'll rent a pump if we have to, but I'd just love to siphon it if possible.  Help!

[Carson]

as for the temp - that is probably comfortable during labor, but my MWS wanted the water around 100F for delivery so we didn't shock the baby.  DH added boiling water when the time came.

it sounds like physics is against your siphon system - is there a drain you can drain it into instead?  otherwise you may have to do buckets or get a cheap pond pump.

[Caterina]

We live in an apartment in the city, so couldn't siphon out the window. We have the Marina Aqua Vac with 25' hose, and it works great... a little expensive but we couldn't think of another way to do it.  We use the drinking water hose only to fill, and the hose with this to empty. We've lent our La Bassine and supplies out to several friends over the last 2 years with everybody just buying their own new liner. It's felt like a great gift we can offer our friends and community.

[kawa kamuri]

we siphoned into the bath tub, emptied the rest with a bucket. i never checked the temp just went by comfort. 

[weliveintheforest]

you could also empty into a toilet, just put the hose under the seat and it will keep going down the toilet drain.  if someone needs to pee while its draining they can.

[nashvillemidwife]

Originally Posted by Carson 

as for the temp - that is probably comfortable during labor, but my MWS wanted the water around 100F for delivery so we didn't shock the baby.

Why would 100 degree water be better than 75 degree room air? Birth is a shock, regardless of the temperature. Babies are supposed to know they've been born. When it comes to waterbirth, midwives and natural birth advocates tend to throw our beliefs about not being able to improve nature right out the window!

[womenswisdom]

Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife 

Why would 100 degree water be better than 75 degree room air? Birth is a shock, regardless of the temperature. Babies are supposed to know they've been born. When it comes to waterbirth, midwives and natural birth advocates tend to throw our beliefs about not being able to improve nature right out the window!

I think she was referring to keeping the water around the same temp as body so that the baby doesn't try to breathe before being brought out of the water due to the temperature difference.

You don't want the baby to know it's been born until its face is out of the water.

Edited by womenswisdom - 3/18/11 at 10:14am

[nashvillemidwife]

It's the change in atmospheric pressure, not temperature, that stimulates the baby to breathe. Are you familiar with the video of women birthing in the Black Sea? The Black Sea never gets above the mid 80s!

Having the water warmer than body temperature will raise the mom's temperature, blood pressure, and pulse. It's not good for her or the baby.
Edited by nashvillemidwife - 3/18/11 at 5:29pm