Which birth tub is best? - Page 2

[yaboobarb]

Tub didn't work

I just wanted to tell you all that the tub did not work for me. labor went very fast ( 2.5 hours, and Ineded to be on my hands and knees. The tub wasn't big enough.

With my first, I spent most of my fime on my hands and knees in the birthng tub and I forgot how important that was.
I ended up using a birthing ball!
Barb

[pamamidwife]

deleted because I misread something.

[Lisashepp]

I have some questions

We were planning on getting this pool http://www.qualityinflatables.com/58480.html

We have a tiny second story apartment, so size is a factor. I was feeling great about this decision, but then I saw these pictures: http://www.waterbirth.org/spa/content/view/107/108/

Now, I am not planning on having my dh in the water with me-- dd (who will be 4 at the time) might come in for a little while if she wants. I want my dh out of the tub and available to care for and support dd (we will have a support person for her, but I want dh to be with her during the birth if dd is handling it well-- he is great with her and I know he will be gentle and explain everything to her, if not she will go with the support person). I am overweight 200 pounds and 5'6" pre-preg. And I measured 20 (so as to not overfill the pool) inches on me and that is to my armpit level. Is this tub going to be too small? I am planning a water birth but will follow whatever urge comes to me at that time.


Thanks for your insight!

[pamamidwife]

I don't think it will be too small for you.

Look, there are suppliers of rental birth tubs that are feeling the $pain$ from women discovering the inflatable pools. The example shown on that page is exaggerated - that is a VERY SMALL pool - not the one that I recommend on my website. The link you have first is for the smaller pool - I'd go with the one that is a bit larger, but that's my opinion. Move some furniture, etc., if you need to.

Waterbirth Intl and other places are doing their best to dissuade women from using the inflatable pools - because, up until a couple years ago, they were BOOMING with business from their spendy rentals. They're trying to discourage women from using the cheaper pools.

This is the pool I recommend and use all the time: http://www.qualityinflatables.com/56493.html

[Lula's Mom]

The pool on Waterbirth Intl. looks teeny! It seems like they found the smallest fishy pool possible to compare with their rental pool. I agree with Pam, though, the one in your first link looks pretty small too. I dunno, maybe it's the same one I had. It's hard to tell from the picture...

I don't know what the diameter was- I thought it was the 60" but it sure looks bigger in my pictures than the one you posted. Anyway it wasn't the hexagonal so it must have been smaller then 76". We had a small house and we just moved the couch out of the way. I'm 5'9" and was close to 200 pounds when I gave birth. I was very comfortable in there.

[StacyL]

Lisashepp,

I would also recommend the pool Pamamidwife shows. That's the one I got, and it is a foot wider and three inches deeper than the one you were looking at. Plus, it's still dirt cheap! I also did a trial run with mine, and it is perfect - plenty big enough (I am 5"5").

Good luck!

[Proudly AP]

adding a bit of info, here.

my doula informed me that she'd just read some research that said that to get the full boyancy effect, the water should be at least 20 inches deep. i would like deeper than that, myself. i am debating renting a pool. i also need firm sides (we have cats). hmmmm.

i guess i need to research this a bit .

[fuschiamom]

having attended births in inflatable pools and rental pools, i would say that if you have the money the rental pools are nice because they hold the heat. if your labor is on the longer side, it can be a pain to be fiddling with the water heater/boiling water and/or draining water. it is a whole lot easier to just climb out, slap on a cover and climb back into comfy water. that said, its not so fun to shell out the $ and then go so quick you can't get it filled. and i have to say i've attended some lovely births in inflatables.

nkem