Which birthing tub?

[chiro_kristin]

My midwifery team is offering me a choice between the softer inflatable kind and the harder Rubbermaid kind. Apparently they both have their pros and cons.

This is my first birth. How the heck do I know what I want?? Please, lend me your wisdom from experience!!!

[pamamidwife]

I prefer the inflatable tub for many reasons:

*Soft, inflatable bottom. Nice on the knees and bum

*More room, if dad wants to get in without crowding mom

*Deep enough to provide buoyancy without being so deep that mom has to be on her knees to nurse baby in it

*It's easier to see blood loss

[Pandora114]

Ok, that just solidifies my choice for my birthing pool LOL.

It is inflatable, clear sides, no decorations with solid color walls between the air chambers. Known as either Sun N Fun or Fun N sun *can't remember which, box is in the shed* Lagoon pool.

I picked it up at Walmart for like $20 Canadian.

[Pandora114]

Also, if you've got the $$, I suggest picking up some Con-air bathtub spa mats to put at the bottom if the pool. They'll make nice relaxing bubbles, AND keep the water at a constant temerature, which means less running around for your support person to do.

[teachinmaof3]

http://www.qualityinflatables.com/58480.html Is my birth pool of choice.

Inexpensive, very sturdy sides, was deep enough for me (I'm about 5'4"), comfy.

Con-air bathtub spa mats to put at the bottom if the pool. They'll make nice relaxing bubbles, AND keep the water at a constant temerature, which means less running around for your support person to do.

Oooo....good idea!!!!

[MamanFrancaise]

Originally Posted by Pandora114

Ok, that just solidifies my choice for my birthing pool LOL.

It is inflatable, clear sides, no decorations with solid color walls between the air chambers. Known as either Sun N Fun or Fun N sun *can't remember which, box is in the shed* Lagoon pool.

I picked it up at Walmart for like $20 Canadian.

Does this one have the inflatable bottom like the common "fishy pool"?

[Pandora114]

mine is similar, It's 72" in diameter and 24" high inflated.

it has enough room for two adults.
No the bottom is not inflatable that I can see. But if I put a nice piece of carpet reminant underneath it'll be comfy.

[Pandora114]

Here's what mine looks like

DD is in there for scale, she's about 30-35" tall.

Pool Time

[MamanFrancaise]

I saw that one at Wal-mart this weekend and was thinking about getting it since it's about 1/2 the price of the fishy pool. But I'm worried it will be too hard on my butt/knees/etc. on just carpet, LOL.

Hmmm....

[Pandora114]

When DD was down for her nap, I gave it a decent test *without water*, and I have HARDWOOD floors.

Spent 20 minutes just sitting in it. Not bad

Spent 20 kneeling, meh

Spent 20 on all 4's Meh

Squatting, not bad either, of course I couldn't maintain it without support for very long, and I"m not even PG yet! *that I know of...it IS a possiblity*

I think it would be eayser when it's filled with water. I'm gonna put a tarp and a nice plushie carpet remenant under it though, extending about a foot beyond the pool.

Remember, I'm also gonna be putting bathtub jacuzzi mats in the tub too. They are padded, and they blow bubbles, and they keep the water warm. Nice huh? hehe

But there is enough room for 2 adults in the pool. I plan on having the MW Support me in a squat by hanging onto my under arms, on the outside of the pool, while my partner is on the inside catching the baby.

But in my previous vent, My hubby is trying to grasp for straws to find reasons to NOT have a homebirth. Hence the reason why I set up the pool. I want to show him that there is PLENTY of room for it in the computer room without it interfering with the PC. *So I can webcam the birth hehe*

[MamanFrancaise]

That pool is actually 2" taller and 12" bigger than the fishy pool. I think I'm sold.

[Pandora114]

lol. That's what made it a good choice for me too. I add the Con-air bathtub spa mats to the bottom of it, and I'll have a nice jacuzzi tub to labour and deliver in

[MamaTaraX]

We plan to rent an Aqua Doula I have a friend who rents them and I've seen them in action and almost got to use one. I think they're awesome! They are incredibly roomy. I've seen great success with inflatables too. The only thing I haven't liked about inflatables were the squeaky sounds they make when you move in them, otherwise I thought the sides having more width to them looked nice.
Namaste, Tara

[Pandora114]

that looks good, but not available up here. I'm content with my $20 Walmart inflatable pool LOL. Doesn't make that much of a squeeky sound. my DD is in it right now *not filled up* and it's all good.

[WinterBaby]

I'll put in my 2 cents of - if you share a house with mischevious minions of the 4-legged variety, you may wanna lean non-inflatable. Nothing good has ever resulted from any combination of inflatables and my pets. :LOL

(From the awareness that some cats think plastic makes for fine scratchies and some dogs think water is goooooood.)

[Pandora114]

LOL my partner is allergic to every mamal on the face of this planet, except for humans, and even then, he's dreadfully allergic to the stupid ones. We have two birds, a budgie and a Bourke's Parakeet. neither one likes water.

[MamanFrancaise]

Originally Posted by WinterBaby

I'll put in my 2 cents of - if you share a house with mischevious minions of the 4-legged variety, you may wanna lean non-inflatable. Nothing good has ever resulted from any combination of inflatables and my pets. :LOL

(From the awareness that some cats think plastic makes for fine scratchies and some dogs think water is goooooood.)

My cats are michievous little buggers. I'm gonna kick them outside for the day. LOL

[chiro_kristin]

Wow. Thanks for the input ladies. And now I'm curious about the Conair bubble mats.. will have to go see how much they sell for locally!!!

I really appreciate it.

[JeanetteL]

I did like my inflatable fishy pool - but am considering a rental this time for two reasons
1. Depth - the videos I've seen with "offical" pools, the mamas look to be much more covered - my belly was still partially exposed when I was semi-reclining.
2. Support on the sides - when I tried to squat the inflatable sides did NOT provide enough support - and both my MW and DH had to try and hold me up...it did not work and I gave up.

Pro's of the inflatable
-very comfy to lean back against the sides, or rest head on the sides in hands and knees...and very comfy with the inflatable bottom.

I was in the pool for four hours or so - and we had to dump off water once and add hot water, but I barely noticed. We filled it with a hose from our bathroom, and emptied it right out our second story window (dh found mec on the rocks below the window weeks later!!)

Jeanette

[alegna]

I my fishy pool. I was in there for somewhere between 9 and 12 hours. I floated on my back most of the time.... very nice.

-Angela