birthing pool question

[Saarland]

Hi

I have a question about the birthing pool. We have our pool set up now and I have tested it and love it. But now it looks like our boy comes sooner than we thought and my husband might not make it to the birth. So I will have to deal with the pool myself. And now the questions come. When should I start putting the water in? I heard from other mom's that the water really stays warm for hours, but still... is there any rule like "when the contractions are that and that far apart"...something like that to go by? I do not want to fill up the pool to late, but I do not want to be too early either....

Any suggestions or experiences? We have the La Bassinete pool from "made in water" by the way.

Thank you

Saskia

[Carolinamidwife]

I would start by turning your hot water heater up to the max and trying to find a drinking water safe hose with an adapter and a water thermometer. If you will be on your own you will want to fill it before your contractions require your full attention, fill it as hot as you can and then cover it with a tarp. Check the thermometer if you can during your labor, you want the temp to be around 100-105.

I filled mine at 110 degrees at 7:00am and it was still 105 at 3:00pm.