Birth Pool resources and information - Page 7

[watermama05]

When you say to turn your water heater up, how high exactly do you mean? We normally keep ours at 120, and I told DH I thought we should turn it all the way up (150), and he got worried. He thinks that's too hot, and it's not safe to leave it that hot between now and the birth because that temp can burn someone too quickly (we have a 2.75 year old). Is 130 or 140 hot enough? What do most people do?

[ilikethedesert]

I just wanted to add my review. For my first HB we rented the big birth tub with the heater and high (thin) sides and it was great. For my second HB I bought the $25 inflatable fishy pool and it was AWESOME!!!!!!! The inflated bottom and WIDE sides were wonderful and cushy. I wasn't in it long enough to need to adjust the temp, but we had a bucket handy to take out and add water and I think that would have worked fine. I recommend it!!!!

[OrganicMama2]

I bought a water birth tub and ended up in it for only 20 min (my labor was only 2 hours total) but the water was so worth it! :::

[MonP'titBoudain]

Originally Posted by watermama05

When you say to turn your water heater up, how high exactly do you mean? We normally keep ours at 120, and I told DH I thought we should turn it all the way up (150), and he got worried. He thinks that's too hot, and it's not safe to leave it that hot between now and the birth because that temp can burn someone too quickly (we have a 2.75 year old). Is 130 or 140 hot enough? What do most people do?

I turn my heater up to wash the diapers and have been known more than once to forget it's all the way up. No one has ever been scalded here, though. DS doesn't want to play with the hot water and isn't really allowed to play in the sink without supervision anyway. As far as baths and showers go, we all adjust the temp as we go same as we do when the heater is set at a normal temp. Maybe it's just our water heater, but it takes it a long time to get to an unsafe scalding temperature. As long as you are at the faucet waiting for the heat, you should be fine. But, you might have a nicer & faster water heater than ours?

[EarthsSpiral]

Okay I read through the first few pages and didn't see this asked, sorry if it's a repeat. Do I need a liner for my kiddie pool and if so, where to buy?

[StacyL]

No, you don't need a liner, but if you want one there's a link to everything in Post #2.

[EarthsSpiral]

Originally Posted by StacyL

No, you don't need a liner, but if you want one there's a link to everything in Post #2.

Thank you.

[foogoomomma]

: I read this whole thread today and I loved it!

[FrolicingMama]

If you are due in winter and want to use a kiddie-type pool, buy it early. Our midwife recommended one of the kiddie pools which was only about $25, but I was due in January and by the time I went to order it, everyone was sold out until February because it's a seasonal item. We ended up having to spend the $100 on the La Bassine. It worked really well, but I think the Kidddie pool would have been just as good for a lot cheaper.

Oh and we used the white RV hoses and it was fine.

[raingyrl]

stock tank liner options?

We borrowed a 150 gallon stock tank from our MW. She told us that we need to buy a 6 ml plastic liner for it (elbows go through the 4 ml apparently). This will cost approximately $60.00 from the big box and I'm concerned about the chemicals it might introduce to the water. Does anyone know of any alternatives? If I'd known it would cost this much I would have purchased a pool that we could use again....still might do that!

TIA,

Rain

[StacyL]

I would imagine you could use the pool liner linked in Post #2 in a stock tank. It's only $19.

[veggijessie]

I read through about 90% of this thread and I could not find an answer to my question.

Do you use just plain tap water or can you add something like epsom salt or lavender oil? I thought it might help me relax but I don't know how that would work for the baby and I want to be safe. I have the Birth Pool In a Box. TIA

Jessica

[StacyL]

You just use regular tap water or well water - whatever your house has. you can add a cup of salt to kill germs if you want.

Some birth books advise against using scented oils because some women find the odors offensive during labor, but I don't think it would hurt the baby.

[Jazzmin]

Originally Posted by StacyL

For those of you with low water pressure that won't operate a Python pump, here is a much cheaper alternative to a regular submersible pump that you can attach to your hose:

It is MUCH less expensive than that one above from the waterbirth website:

Aquarium Pump

So you would put this in the pool? Would it attach to my python hose or would I need one specifically for the pump?

[mrsfrenchy]

Originally Posted by Jazzmin

So you would put this in the pool? Would it attach to my python hose or would I need one specifically for the pump?

I was wondering the same thing. If you get that pump, what else do you need besides the pool, a tarp for underneath and a cover? Do you get the same hose/faucet adapter as the python?

[StacyL]

Originally Posted by Jazzmin

So you would put this in the pool? Would it attach to my python hose or would I need one specifically for the pump?

Yes, it is submersible (meaning you put it into the pool under water) and you attach your Python hose to it when it is time to drain. The pump is electric and that is what drives the water through the hose and out of the pool. The only thing is that you might need a small hose clamp, if the diameter of the hose was bigger than the place where it attaches to the pump, but you can get one of those for about $1 at any hardware store.

[Jazzmin]

Thought I would share something I discovered. Adapter G , for the python drain and fill, is two pieces. I couldn't get it to fit on my faucet, went to the hardware for another adapter, and the man helping me informed me that the plastic adapter screws apart to reveal another size hole.

[paquerette]

Are any of the pools lead-free vinyl? I assume the run of the mill fishy pools are not. But maybe some of the birth pools are? Or the liners? DH is very worried about this.

[HeatherB]

Originally Posted by paquerette

Are any of the pools lead-free vinyl? I assume the run of the mill fishy pools are not. But maybe some of the birth pools are? Or the liners? DH is very worried about this.

The Birth Pool in a Box is made from pthalate-free PVC/vinyl. They don't mention lead, but do mention certification in the EU and the US, both of which restrict lead. I agree that I'd be more concerned (on all counts) about the cheaper pools than ones specifically made for birthing like the BPIAB.

[Jazzmin]

For those of you with low water pressure, how long did it take to fill your birth tub? My water pressure is low enough that I cannot get the reverse suction to work on the python drain and fill. Luckily, we are having the pool on the second floor and I can pop the hose out the window to drain it. But I am concerned that it will take wayyyy to long to fill the pool up. I just let the water run for 30 min and it didn't fill but a few inches. I am seriously considering using the outside spigot to fill and adding boiling water to warm.