anyone used the rubbermaid horse trough? - Page 2

[Slingin'Momto4]

I used one for my 1st homebirth and it was "okay" But my last homebirth I used the aqua doula and would never use the trough again, it was uncomfy for me compared to the Aqua Doula!

FYI-Mine was NOT lined, I never thought of lining it and my midwife never mentioned it...

[riomidwife]

I am so ecited to hear everyone's trough success. Renting an aqua doula would be nice, but I'm in an area where it'd have to be shipped and I can't afford that right now. I think I'm sold on the trough, and I think I can recycle it into good use after my birth. Thanks ladies.

[PapayaVagina]

I think that if we have another baby I will use a horse trough as well or maybe even the newer inflatable pools that are higher. I used the fishy pool because I'd seen it used so many times before but I am also very tall and have a really long torso. I spent a lot of time on my hands and knees and was freezing because I was pretty much totally out of the water when I was in that position.

[ashleep]

I birthed in a horse trough. I loved it. The padding that a pp rigged would be a nice touch. I might do that this time. To be honest though, I was so deep in laborland that I was not even aware of the hard sides and bottom.

The kiddy pools just don't look deep enough. I'm only 5'6" and I don't think my whole belly would even be covered. In the trough the water came up to my armpits or the top of my belly, depending on how slouched down I was.

[HeatherB]

I'm trying to remember how deep the fishy pool covered me. I'm not thinking it was THAT deep. I had to get into a squatting/fours position and that really got my belly into the water. I'm also 5'6" and a plus-sized mama. I know it was COMFY but I certainly never had the "floating" sort of sensation!

[greenweavers]

I have used a 300 gallon horse trough and loved it so much I just purchased one for my next birth ( any week now) ... It is round and perfectly deep. I would just float between expansions. The hardness never bothered me, it was big enough to float and stretch out in and solid enough to hold on to. I had a propane heater hooked up to it, and birthed my son Cedar (now 3) outside. This time I do not have a heater and will be doing an inside birth. I suspect it will hold the heat because of it's thickness. I will let you know how it goes!
Blessings

[Mystic Mama]

I dont like the narrowness of them I like the fact that the pools are round so you have more mobility, also it very hard to see in them so even if you dont care for the midwife to be able to see your kids or your DH let alone picture wont be able to see with out a flashlight, which most mamas hate! I definitly prefer the fishy pool or best case aquadoula, However my husband likes to be in the tub with me when hes catching so the trough is pretty much out of the question, however I've been to about 3 births that occured in a trough.

[StacyL]

Originally Posted by pooh-tiggermom

So my question is, how do you empty the troughs? What if we need to add more hot water during labor but it gets full? Im picturing using a bucket to scoop out the bath water while Im in there, & then using it to add the hot water??

You can use a Python drain & fill pump the same way you would for a fishy pool. Read the "Birth Pool Resources" sticky thread at the top of the forum for pictures and instructions. No buckets needed.

[StacyL]

Originally Posted by ashleep

The kiddy pools just don't look deep enough. I'm only 5'6" and I don't think my whole belly would even be covered. In the trough the water came up to my armpits or the top of my belly, depending on how slouched down I was.

I'm 5'5" and in the fishy pool the water came up to my boobs.

[StacyL]

This thread gave me an idea, so I have added some links to sources for stock tanks to the sticky thread at the top of the forum.

[momto l&a]

I guess my mw loves horse troughs for water births.

She doesn't like the tub that are sold for waterbirth as they just don't offer enough support

She going to bring one for ours. Hopefull I will get to use it

[StacyL]

Originally Posted by mwherbs

but I guess you could line the whole thing with foam and a pillow/some pillows on one side cover with a sheet that is light colored- because the tank lined but with no sheet is so black hard to see mec in the water or blood/amount of blood- with a sheet you can see.

Here's a link to a green one that's also available in white.

Stock tank

[Doula Gina]

I picked mine up from the last lady who used it, and I have to say...

It's awesome.

I'm about 6' tall, and I can see myself easily submerging as much as I would like. There is plenty of room for DH if I want/need him, I love the stability (I had no problem getting in or out, and standing up with those hard sides to grab onto was a piece of cake), and I feel really good about having it in a carpeted room - no worries about splashing out, spilling, and such.

[Eaglevoice]

I used one last time. My mw dropped it off when I was 36 weeks. I loved it. I put pillows along the bottom of it and then put the plastick sheeting over the pillows so they didn't get wet. I'm 6'1'' and it was perfect for me.

I saw the link a few posts above about the green tub. Anyone else have links of other places to get them?

[StacyL]

Originally Posted by Eaglevoice

I saw the link a few posts above about the green tub. Anyone else have links of other places to get them?

I posted three links in the resources sticky thread.

[Baby Hopes]

Originally Posted by Mystic Mama

I dont like the narrowness of them I like the fact that the pools are round so you have more mobility, also it very hard to see in them so even if you dont care for the midwife to be able to see your kids or your DH let alone picture wont be able to see with out a flashlight, which most mamas hate! I definitly prefer the fishy pool or best case aquadoula, However my husband likes to be in the tub with me when hes catching so the trough is pretty much out of the question, however I've been to about 3 births that occured in a trough.

The feed store we purchased our tub from offered troughs that were round, octagon shape, oval shape... So if a person preferred a round tub, it's entirely possible to do a horse trough and have it be round.


Why does your husband being in the tub with you rule out the trough?

(And really, I do know that everyone has their personal preferrence. I'm just curious.)