La Bassine Pool

[alicia9178]

Has anyone used this type of birthing pool???? I hate to buy it if I don't know of anyone else who has use it.
Alicia

[pamamidwife]

I have a client who is going to use it this month. I'm really impressed with it - just the fact that it takes less water because of its shape (which means that it's less likely your water heater won't be able to provide hot water for it!), the vertical tubes (which seem to be stronger than horizontal ones like with the fishy pools), and the handles, etc.

I'll let you know how they like it (they used a fishy pool for their last birth).

[Seie]

I have not used the pool you mention, but I have used a similar one - also known as the "fishy pool"

It looks as if it is pretty similar to La Bassine - maybe slightly more shallow?
But it worked very very well for us. It holds just over 100 gallons, it is nice and comfy and in my opinion holds enough water.
I only ever had time to fill it up 1/4th but even that was comfortable and a great relief. We did have a trial run a week before birth and the water seemed deep enough for me..

In my opinion the best/only reason to consider the fishy pool rather than the bassine is the price (18$ compared to 95$)

Good luck!

[Snowdrift]

Originally Posted by pamamidwife

I have a client who is going to use it this month. I'm really impressed with it -

Pam, so you've actually seen it? This thread had me looking it up and now it seems like it's our most likely option.

I'm a big girl (5'7"/200 lbs) and need enough water that I don't get the beached whale feeling. By the numbers it seems only an inch deeper than the fishy pool, but it looks so much better. My guess is you could put more water in it without overflowing it just because the shape is better?

We would rather not rent a tub because I want to use it for relaxation in the weeks leading up to the birth. We even thought about splitting the cost of spa-in-a-box with MIL--we'd use it for birthing, she's take it up to the cottage with her for vacation relaxation. The bassine is quite a bit cheaper than even half a spa-in-a-box though.

[pamamidwife]

I haven't seen it in person yet, but I know that with the fishy pool, it FEELS much deeper than the 23" they say. In fact, I'm the same size you are and the fishy pool would be more than enough. I'd venture to say that either the fishy pool or this pool would be perfect for you without being too deep!

[sprout 1]

So how'd la bassine work? lol. I'm making this so much harder than it should be, but I can't decide between the intex ocean reef (octagon) pool and la bassine. I'm 5'9 so I need something deep, and while they're about the same depth, the ocean reef is so wide that it takes twice as much water... I can see that being a downside because of the stress on the water heater and all the extra room for heat to evaporate off. Plus I want to be able to lean on the sides, and it seems like la bassine is the only one that would allow that (besides the sevylor, which isn't as deep... I digress) So probably la bassine could be deeper (filled more) because of the sturdy sides, where the intex would need some "squish down" allowance? Hope I'm not confusing anyone. The price is the only thing keeping me from snapping up a bassine, but if it's going to make a difference in the birth we can find a way to afford it.
I'd just like to hear from someone who's used both to see if it really does make a difference

[pamamidwife]

really, I thought they were very similar. I don't know that it's worth the extra money, truthfully. they both have inflatable bottoms, sturdy sides....

I think they're very similar.

[sprout 1]

thanks... that should make my decision easier... right

[Missy Princess Eha]

I have seen this used in two labors...and I LOVE IT! Both moms loved the roomy space to move in and how soft it was. The last one commented on the bottom being so nice and soft. And the water covered them well.

[Charmie981]

As a midwife who has experienced a waterbirth in (IMO) the ultimate birth pool (a softub), I am concerned about depth of pools, sturdiness of the sides, as well as keeping them warm enough to be comfortable for mom. I bought this pool because it's deeper but takes less water, and I rent it out to my clients. They've all liked it so far, and I can see myself birthing in it next time also, which says a lot. Someday I'd like to have the inflatable jacuzzi-type tub to rent to my clients, but it's $800, so the La Bassine it is for now.

One client who was 5'9" had no trouble laboring in the Bassine pool, on hands and knees, leaning over the side, or leaning on the back. It has been a great labor aid, though no one has birthed in it yet (my last client was done with the pool when her forewater broke into it and made the water hazy...LOL!).