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Which birth pool?  

post #1 of 37
9/25/08 at 3:32pm
Thread Starter 
I'm trying to decide if I want a birth pool and if I do, which one.

Here are my options...

Rent an AquaDoula for $250.00 (includes all materials, delivery/set up/take down)
Buy La Bassine birth pool for $110.00 (+ additional supplies)
Buy Electra pool for $50.00 (+ additional supplies)
Buy Aquarium birth pool for $25.00 (+ additional supplies)

Not attached to buying or renting...just want to get the most comfortable pool available...Opinions/ideas/etc greatly appreciated!
post #2 of 37
9/25/08 at 3:51pm
I got the Sevylor Electra and will be using it sometime in the next couple of weeks for my first birth!! It seems similar to La Bassine for about half the price, but I may be disappointed with one thing. I'd been expecting the floor to inflate similarly to the sides of the pool, and be really soft and cushy. It's not quite what I expected because what inflates on the floor are small sections (picture the slightly puffy sections of a quilt), only a centimeter high or so. We plan to put some folded blankets underneath to add padding, since the pool is going on a hard wood floor and not carpet. It may turn out to be just fine. I've not seen the La Bassine in person, but the website says that the bottom is 'inflatable'. On the other hand, I suppose if the floor were too soft, it might not provide good support for pushing. It could be that La Bassine's floor inflates in a similar way to the Electra - perhaps someone with experience using it could comment.

My midwife isn't crazy about her Aquadoula because the sides are hard (plus, she says the side on hers collapsed last time - note her's is probably pretty old) I've heard women say that the inflatable sides of La Bassine and the Electra are much more comfortable to lean on.

You might want to check out the Birth Pool resources sticky as well, if you haven't already.
post #3 of 37
9/25/08 at 5:49pm
I do believe the Electra is comparable to the La Bassine regarding the mother's comfort, but there is no fitted liner for it. However, as a midwife I much prefer the oval shape of La Bassine. The mother's body is oblong after all, so having a round pool is just a bunch of wasted space (and water) and makes it difficult for the midwife to reach the mom if she needs assistance.
post #4 of 37
9/25/08 at 5:50pm
I used the LaBassine and really liked it. DH was really uneasy about using the fishy pool (even though I'm sure it would have been fine). We are in a rental and he was terrified we'd get a defective one.
post #5 of 37
9/25/08 at 5:52pm
I've heard GREAT things about the la bassine, and I found it for $90 + additional supplies and shipping. I'm going to be getting that one. It was between that and the fishy pool for me but i;'ve heard the fishy pool sides aren't AS strong as the la bassine (and i'm a plus size mama), and they're not as high either, and i'd like the extra few inches.
post #6 of 37
9/25/08 at 7:46pm
i loved the la bassine.
post #7 of 37
9/25/08 at 9:22pm
I had the basic fishy pool last time and we're going to order a la bassine for this one, for a variety of reasons - I'm really looking forward to it!
post #8 of 37
9/25/08 at 10:23pm
we used an aquadoula the 1st time around and a la bassine the 2nd time. i would definitely go with the la bassine again. way more comfy and easier setup/teardown.
post #9 of 37
9/25/08 at 10:42pm
I bought the Electra here and paid $46 including shipping... just a bargain hint. Haven't gotten to use it yet.
post #10 of 37
9/25/08 at 10:45pm
we used the Aquarium pool for the birth of our son this june. it worked really well in our breakfast nook which has ceramic tile flooring.we were looking for an affordable way to bring a pool into the birth and also wanted to be able to use it again. this way, it can be used as our son's kiddie pool.

the only additional supplies that we purchased were:
1) an electric pump at Kmart for $17.00
2) kitchen faucet-to-hose adapter for less than $5.00
3) a hose that matched the length needed from sink to pool
4) 20x10 plastic drop cloth about $5.00
also, we turned our water heater to maximum about a week before the due date. that way, we'd were all set when baby made his journey out.
post #11 of 37
9/25/08 at 11:57pm
I used an aquadoula for my second birth and will be using it again. I love the heater. I'm not sure if a La Bassine has a heater...

But an aquadoula feels like pure luxury. I was very opposed to the 250 rental fee and our MW ended up just letting us use it and now I know it's worth every penny.
post #12 of 37
9/26/08 at 12:06am
La Bassine does not have a heater but I would still take it over an AquaDoula any day. I've attended a LOT of water births and no one will ever convince me of the need for a heater, much less having to pay so much more for it.
post #13 of 37
9/26/08 at 12:47am
Thread Starter 
Thank you so much for all your replies!
post #14 of 37
9/26/08 at 3:37am
I used the Aquarium pool for my last home birth. It worked extremely well -- sturdy sides, nice depth, padded bottom, and INEXPENSIVE. I'm using it again for this home birth.
post #15 of 37
9/26/08 at 12:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife View Post
I do believe the Electra is comparable to the La Bassine regarding the mother's comfort, but there is no fitted liner for it. However, as a midwife I much prefer the oval shape of La Bassine. The mother's body is oblong after all, so having a round pool is just a bunch of wasted space (and water) and makes it difficult for the midwife to reach the mom if she needs assistance.
Funny, my midwife told me she prefers the round pool. I seem to recall she said the oval shape is so long that when facing that way some women can't get leverage to push.
post #16 of 37
9/26/08 at 12:07pm
That makes no sense. It's no longer than a round pool, just not as wide on the sides.
post #17 of 37
9/26/08 at 12:21pm
We got the "birth pool in a box-eco". I'll let you know how it work in December.
post #18 of 37
9/26/08 at 1:46pm
I had been trying to decide on a good birth pool (my neighbors said I could use their hot tub, but couldnt imagine running out in the cold to go to their tub to labor) so I was thinking about the Aquarium pool, I have heard so many good things about it, plus it is really inexpensive compared to other birth pool options. But now I was looking at the La Bassine you have a link to, and that one looks very nice too.
post #19 of 37
9/26/08 at 2:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife View Post
That makes no sense. It's no longer than a round pool, just not as wide on the sides.
The external dimensions of the oval La Bassine seem to be 65 x 53, while the external diameter of the round Sevylor/ Electra seems to be 60 - so it's a bit shorter than the long dimension of the Bassine but a bit larger than the short dimension. 5 inches isn't much difference, I suppose. It could be she was referring to some other oval pool she had found to be too long - I'm not sure.
post #20 of 37
9/26/08 at 2:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife View Post
I do believe the Electra is comparable to the La Bassine regarding the mother's comfort, but there is no fitted liner for it. ...
Sorry to hijack...but....

About the liner, do you recommend we get one for ease of clean up? Preciousarrows.com has a liner they say works with all their pools (Sevylor & Aquarium) - not fitted, as you mentioned, I suppose. If it's not fitted, do you think it would get in the way or tend to be annoying while in the pool?
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