HELP birth tub hints

[rose angel]

I am a little anxious about filling and emptying the tub, and keeping it warm. I have the fishy pool and a pump. A friend is lending me her faucet adaptor, but I guess I need a hose? Can't use our outdoor one I guess. Someone mentioned you need something to strain the water with before you drain it? And how can I drain it? I have 2 other kids and don't want the standing water around long. I also got a bucket for getting rid of cold water and adding more hot. Help, I am due in a week, and am in a panic nesting mode. Don't ask why I haven't takenb care of all these details yet :

[Yemaya1]

I had the fishy pool too. People at my birth just used buckets. Also had a garden hose.

[sarajane]

Are you using a mid-wife or unassisted?

I ask because my mid-wife is taking care of filling and keeping the water warm. She is also emptying it for me.

She told me to have the pool, a pump to air it up, a new garden hose (she hooks it up to the washer hook ups), a fish net (for debri), pots to boil water if necessary, and I would imagine she will use buckets to empty it though that hasn't been mentioned yet.

I just got my fishy pool today.

[Jemper]

I had bought a hose with the intent of using the washer hookups to fill our fishie pool. Some say you should use a hose that's OK to drink from, but frankly the use is so short time-wise I didn't worry about it.

Unfortunately, we didn't try taking off the washer hoses until it was time and couldn't get them off (too tight). So, my birth team ended up using buckets to fill it. They also used them to empty the tub, they found that easier than dealing with the hose I had for that purpose.

I was in the tub for 1.5 hrs and they only had to add hot water one time, I think it was about 2 buckets. It was as much for water level as temperature, the level sunk some as the pool stretched, I think.

I *loved* the pool, once I got in I was NOT getting out, even to pee!

[ashleep]

We weren't 100% prepared when I went into labor, so we didn't have a fishy net yet. My mom went and rummaged thru the kitchen and found a wire strainer thing that worked great.

We added water about three times, but I was in the pool about 2.5 hours and for me, the hotter the better! I was surprised what a difference a couple degrees made.

Good luck and happy birthing!

[2+twins]

I rent tubs and here's what I tell people - you need to buy a hose that is labeled "drinking water safe". They usually say Potable water on them (or something about being for RV use) and in my experience are white (vs. green hoses that are the typical garden variety). You can find them at Orchard Supply or Ace Hardware. The reason is that the non-drinking water hoses are chemically treated and you don't want to fill your tub with those chemicals. You can use any hose to empty the tub though. Any fish net will do for skimming solids out of the water. I provide an 8" net - I think larger is easier, but that's just a preference. I use a submersible pump to drain the tub. You attach a garden hose to the pump and run the other end of the hose to the toilet. Close the lid down on the toilet to hold the hose in place, plug in the pump, and the toilet will self-regulate the flushing (keeps the water at a constant level). It's quick, easy, and quiet so there's not a lot of time spent on clean up after the baby is born. Hope this helps.