BPIAB or Fishy pool?

[ClothDiapernMum]

I know that fishy pools are MUCH cheeper than BPIAB. Can moms give me feedback on personal experiences? Why you chose what you chose, etc? Especially valuable would be feedback from moms who used both and can offer pros and cons of each.

Things that may alter your advice:

I am short (5'3" on a tall day), but plus sized (size 20-22)

This baby is the first of (hopefully) many, so a good investment would eventually pay for itself

[MidwifeErika]

I used a fishy pool with baby #2, but a BPIAB with #4. The BPIAB is far superior. The bottom was more cushioned. It was deeper. I was able to kneel and still have my belly covered. It was lovely. I am also short (just under 5'2") and while getting out of the BPIAB felt like a huge hike, it wasn't actually that big of a deal. When I used the fishy pool, I was (obviously) the same height that I am now, but I was about a size 20 and.... I don't know.... it felt hard to get into a position that was comfortable and kept my belly under the water. I ended up spending most of my time on my back. With baby #4 I was more around a size 6-8, but the pool felt so roomy that I am sure I could have been the same size I was with #2 and still been able to have a variety of positions and kept my belly under the water.

[MidwifeErika]

P.S. Consider the option that if you buy a good quality birth pool and use a liner each time, you could likely sell the pool to a midwife/doula/other mom when you are done with it.

[Banana731]

Having used both, the BPIAB was far superior. I would repeat much of what Erika said. The deepness made a huge difference to me. I am 5"4, though I am not plus sized. The BPIAP felt really roomy to me, even with my dh in it with me. And I could stretch out in it. I couldn't stretch my legs fully when Laboring in the fishy pool, and it was Annoying.

[HeatherB]

I love the BPIAB. My first HB was before inflatable birth pools were readily available, so I used the fishy pool (which I think is no longer available?). The BPIAB is vastly superior and has now been used 6-7 times by friends and myself, each with a fresh liner for sanitation. I'll use it again this summer. Great investment!