Question about the birth pool « Back to Group Discussions

[flavorfull1]

So, it is brand new out of the box just for me, do I have to use the liner?  Honestly, the liner just annoys me and I would rather take a loss on the cost of the pool or have to really clean it later than have to put up with the liner.  Does everyone always use a liner?

[piratemere]

No.  You can just clean it out.  Honestly, so many women give birth in their own tubs, which obviously don't have liners.  Even the tubs at the hospital don't have liners.  If you want to use it again for birth, just make sure you clean it out really well.  I've yet to actually give birth in a birth pool, but have laboured twice in the same one with no liner, and have loaned it to others as well.  They are pretty easy to clean.  We are doing a test run with our new pool tomorrow and we will see if I feel the same way or not.

[saudade]

I wouldn't use it either. It shouldn't get very dirty or be hard to clean.

[miss_honeyb]

I got my pool (a La Bassine) used from a friend who labored in it but didn't deliver in it. She had a liner in it when she used it, but I disinfected it really well before we used it. I did use a liner as well, and honestly I didn't even notice the liner - didn't bother me at all. I don't think it's as much an issue for disinfecting it later, as much as ease of cleaning it out right after birth. It was easier for DH and the midwives to drain the pool and then just gather up the liner and toss it, deflate the pool (which was then totally dry and clean) and stuff it away to be disinfected/folded up later. So we'll be using a liner again this time, just for one less thing DH has to deal with. But if that's not a big deal to you, I don't think a liner is at all necessary for sanitary purposes.