We've been wanting to install a tankless water heater, probably a Rinnai. If we do that, then we'll have limitless hot water so the tub size will be less of an issue. I'd also love a tankless heater so that I can stay in the shower for hours and hours if I feel like it.
Here are my possible choices from cheapest to most expensive:
1) $22 fishy pool (60 x 22" exterior, 106 gallons)
2) $35 Sevylor round I-beam pool (60 x 22" exterior, 72 gallons)
3) $67 Sevylor oval I-beam pool (100 x 68 x 21" exterior, 186 gallons)
I actually think this oval one would be too big--it's bigger even than the large Birth Pool in a Box (see below). It's more like a swimming pool than a tub. See how big it is with adults inside:
4) $110 La Bassine birthing pool: I-beam construction, oval rather than round, has inside handles (65 x 53 x 25" exterior, 53" x 41" x 22" interior, 100 gallons)
5) $190 Birth Pool In A Box: this is a really large inflatable pool, with a built-in seat. It's large enough to comfortably fit two adults, unlike the other pools. (76 x 65" x 28" exterior, 56 x 45 x 26" interior, 172 gallons). 
There's also a mini version that's roughly the same size as La Bassine--a bit shorter and deeper. (65 x 57 x 28" exterior, 45 x 37 x 26" interior, 127 gallons).
Then, of course, you can get into the rental birth pools such as the AquaDoula ($250 to rent). I've attended lots of AquaDoula births and while I like that it has a heater, I don't like the narrow rim. Often women want to drape themselves over the edge or rest their head, and an inflatable pool is much more comfortable than the AquaDoula for that.
Although I love the price of the round Sevylor, I am leaning more towards La Bassine because it is a bit bigger and longer. I still wonder if even La Bassine would be big enough for me. I am 5'8"--not extraordinarily tall but not petite either. I like I-beam construction far more than stacked rings. On an aesthetic note, I love the deep transparent blue of the Sevylor and La Bassine.
So, your advice is very much needed, especially if you've actually used one of these many options (or something else I haven't thought of yet!).
No real input from me (my one birth so far was a land birth in the hospital), but I'd love to hear what works for you, as I have even more of a height challenge at 6'!
ReplyDeleteFWIW, I like the La Bassine.
hi rixa. first 2 babies i had a huge tub with ridgid but thin sides. third one i had le bassinet. im short,(5,2) and i found the downside to the le bassinet was when on knees and draping over sides, which were extremely comfortable, my back was out of the water. what was very useful were the handles-necessary in a soft pool. in the huge octagonal pool this was not a problem- heaven- and the thin uncomfortable side was overcome with towels. id say go for the biggest you can.
ReplyDeleteI think the best pick would be the Birth Pool In A Box. It is still cheaper than renting, it is big enough that your husband can get in with you, should you want him to. And also big enough that your little girl can get in it too, should you want her to (I'm assuming she will be excited about having a pool in the house! Plus, it has a built in seat, which may make it more comfortable as you move around to find a good labor position. All in all, I'm glad you posted this. It helps me decide what I will want when I become pregnant again!
ReplyDeleteI loved my La Bassine. My husband got it for me for Christmas before our second daughter was born. I spent my 3rd trimester soaking in it several times a week. I didn't end up actually birthing in it, but spent many, many hours laboring in it. I'm short (5'2") but heavy (250lbs. pre-pregnancy) and my husband and I both fit comfortably in it. And he is not exactly stick thin either. It is a rather roomy pool. I loved that it kept the water so warm. It did take two water heaters full to completely fill, but the water was deep enough with only one tank full that I was very comfortable while we waited for the water to heat again. I have long labors and spent probably 20 hours in the tub, and we only had to take water out to rewarm it once, beside the two initial fillings. I think the best part about it though, is that I own it. Now that I'm pregnant with our third, there isn't another expense that would come had we rented a pool.
ReplyDeleteI am 6 ft tall, Rixa. I used -and LOVED- the La Bassine pool. Pushed my nucchal-armed 9 lbs 3 oz baby girl out "on land" in the end, but LOVED being in the water, squatting and being on all 4s and feeling weightless while doing so..... the bottom is also inflated (padded), so that is a huge bonus ! I think the one with the seat is rather superfluous, and may unnecessarily (subliminally ?) encourage mum to SIT to birth.... hmmm.... in which position did you end up pushing your wee Z out ? With the LB pool, the possibilities are endless :) I also felt the sides were really heavy-duty and supportive, and just the right thickness.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input so far, and keep it coming!
ReplyDeleteI actually had Zari on land, but I was in and out of the jacuzzi during much of labor and pushing. I definitely want to labor in water again and of course I'd like the option of a water birth if I don't feel like getting out of the tub!
I used an Aqua Doula for my first homebirth and a La Bassine for my second homebirth. Loved them both for different reasons but if I were to have more children (which I'm not planning to) I would vote for the La Bassine again. I've attended other women's homebirths with these two tubs as well as the birth pool in a box. I really feel like this is also a great option. Follow your heart and you'll choose the best pool for your birth!
ReplyDeleteMy midwife uses a huge Rubbermaid horse trough. I have no idea how much it cost, and the rim is thin, but I did like it.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I only ended up floating around in there during pre-labor (my poor husband filled the tub several times) and didn't actually birth in it.
I would gently suggest that the soft inflatable bottom in some of your choices is a must have.
ReplyDeleteAs a midwifery student and home birth assistant, I've set up and worked with moms in the Aqua Doula and Made In Water tubs. I lean in the MIW tub direction because of the very same reasons you mention. And, like you, I especially love the blue color. While this will not be an issue in an unassisted birth, I love the fact that I can shine a flashlight through the side of the pool from the outside and this very gently illuminates the water. Can also see quite easily through the side with the illumination. Nice for the woman in labor to not be disturbed by her midwife's hands or flashlight in and out of the water.
And the hot water heater issue? Worked with both types of systems (30 gallon and slow to warm, on demand) and feel that what you have will work or be made to work. If labor is fast enough that you won't have time to fill it, then then shower will probably do. If you have time to fill it, you'll have time to use it and be grateful for it. I've also attended a water birth with NO running hot water in the house. We managed to heat enough water with 4 large lobster pots of the stove!
I labored in a fishy pool with my dd (I'm 5'10") and was freezing because half of my body wasn't covered. Next time I'm definitely going for either a La Bassine or one of Barbara's tubs.
ReplyDeletewe used an aquadoula for our first baby. though I was not in there for very long, i think it is well suited to a first birth that will probably be a longer journey. because it stays warm, nobody has to futz with bailing & refilling.
ReplyDeletewill probably get a la Bassine for our next birth. I think they are super sturdy--much more so than the fishy pools--and taller women need the few extra inches of water to reap the full benefits of submersion.
go for the tankless heater, too! they are awesome and you get a tax credit.
surprised you are that tall--for some reason i always imagined you as petite.
I've seen all of these tubs in action and would have to say that I'm most impressed with La Bassine. It fills quickly (not an issue for you if you go tankless though), is a nice size (unless you're very tall, which you don't look like you are on your blog), and the price is right.
ReplyDeleteI would go with the deepest inflatable one you can get. I was going to get the fishy pool, but my MW talked me out of it, and I'm so glad she did because it wouldn't have been deep enough. I used her Gentle Birth pool, which is pretty much the same as the Aquadoula. It was really big and took forever to fill up, but it was deep enough to go up to the middle of my chest (I'm 5'4"). I wasn't a fan of the hard sides at first, but it turned otu to work for me because I had to clamp myself onto the side in a squat and I don't think that would have worked with an inflatable side. However, if the pool hadn't been so huge and if I could have gotten leverage some other way, I don't think it would have been a problem. I would ultimately go with something deep, small, inflatable, and preferably with some kind of handles.
ReplyDeleteI used the AquaDoula, and agree with your assessment of it -- that you can't drape over it, so it might not be what you'd want. I was able to rest my head on the side (I think there was some sort of pillow kind of thing), and even slept between contractions, but the draping option would be out.
ReplyDelete-Kathy
One pool I didn't see on there is the Intex Ocean Reef pool. It measures 76 x 71 x 25 and has an inflatable bottom and runs about $30.
ReplyDeleteI used this pool for two of my births and loved it. I'm also 5'8", and could fill this pool deep enough to cover my belly. It was big enough to fit two adults, and I could stretch out across the pool. It was sturdy enough that I could lean over the sides and not dump out the pool.
I used two hoses to empty and fill, and made sure to turn up the hot water heater all the way. It took about two hot water tanks to fill it up.
In my homebirth with baby#3, Fishy pool was bad. I was cold and definitly felt like I was gonna accidentally spill the contents all over the carpet. I was like a huge stuck frog in a tiny pond! Also it smelled like vinyl--really strongly--a smell I actually usually kind of like--but it made me nauseous in labor. I was in there for MAYBE an hour and I was very dissapointed. Huge oval sounds good to me, and handles, too, and DEEP.
ReplyDeleteI've given birth in the La Bassine and the hard sided gentle birth tub and attended numerous water births in a variety of tubs.
ReplyDeleteEither the La Bassine, the birth pool in a box, or the hard-sided tub work well. Some moms really like the handles on the birth pool in a box. The La Bassine is a little bit small if you want to have dad in too, but is plenty roomy for even a tall, large mama alone.
For my first birth, I had a jacuzzi available for labor. Based on that experience, I thought that water for labor was very over-rated. It took me four more babies - and a midwife who really encourages water birth - to try again, with a more appropriate tub (the gentle birth tub) - and then I realized what all the fuss was about! For the water to be effective, it really needs to be at least 20 inches deep -- and that is not a depth you can get in most jacuzzi tubs, or in most inflatable kiddie pools. For that reason, I would NOT recommend the cheaper pools that are not designed for giving birth in. They just don't allow the necessary depth, and it really makes a difference.
When we're filling a tub for a birth, we have the hot water heater turned up beforehand. Empty the tank completely. Cover the tub with a foil emergency blanket. Let the hot water heater recover - usually takes about 1/2 an hour. Repeat. Do this 2 or 3 times, depending on the size of the tank, then start running in cold water to bring the temperature down. Don't get in while it is still too hot; elevating your body temperature in labor is not a good idea. :-)
A pond pump works well for draining. The disposable liners on the birth pool in a box make clean-up super-easy, but a 12x12 square of plastic sheeting will work instead of a fitted liner for the other tubs.
Buying a birth tub in a box or a La Bassine is definitely better than renting if you're planning on more babies.
I used the cheap fishy pool you have there. It was great, I honestly have no complaints. Hubby and I both fit in there fine and my belly was completely submerged. Though if I were just starting to have my babies (we're on #7 now) I would invest in a la bassine. Who knows, I still may :-)
ReplyDeleteAfter having 5 waterbirths (and attending hundreds of others) I can strongly recommend that 'Birth Pool in a Box'...I used it for baby #5 and LOVED it. i have used every pool you listed and love the BPIAB the very best.
ReplyDeleteIt is great for all sizes of mom since the chambers inflate independantly of one another...you can make the pool taller or shorted in a moment. LOVE THAT. The handles are also a MUST HAVE...the handles made my last birth do-able (10 lb posterior baby with a nuchal arm!). I really love this pool. Oh-I did not have the 'mini'. And i also loved the little seat inside...perfect for kneeling on.
The LaBassine has given me trouble at every birth I have used it. The internal supports have broken in every case, leaving the pool very lop sided and with little way to support mom.
The next best is the cheap kiddie pool. Believe it or not that thing works very well and is quite comfy. The downside-no handles and the chambers inflate altogether, leaving open the possibility of issues.
I used an Aqua Doula (I think) with my first birth, and was quite impressed with it. It definitely made the contractions do-able during a very tough transition. I even had my son in it, and was able to lean heavily against the sides. I've labored in regular bathtubs since (this last one was really, really shallow - ugh!), but haven't birthed in one since. Anything nice and deep would have been very nice for the last 3.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I didn't have my daughter IN the water, I got in at about 6 cm and was there until I started pushing. I used a fishy pool and I'm about 5'4" and 140 lbs pre-pregnancy and it was just not big enough! Half my body was out of the water and I was cold and just didn't have enough bouyancy to make it worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteI had the birth pool in a box. I was only in it for 1 contraction before I was ready to push, and then the baby flew out. But for those few minutes it was blissful and I loved it. It set up and filled really quickly. After we cleaned it out, the kids splashed around in it the next day.
ReplyDeleteI did the stock tank first birth, and then the aquadoula next time. Besides the water heater, the aquadoula isn't much better than a horse trough! Not worth $250. I would do LaBassine or similar if there were a next time. Keeping the water warm is tricky though. Especially if you don't want too much hustle bustle of helpers hauling pots etc. I know you like solitude. That's really what got me into the aquadoula option. So it's a dilemma...
ReplyDeleteI've used an Aquadoula twice. Obviously I liked it...
ReplyDeleteBUT...that said...for my most recent birth (Oct 28 http://tinyurl.com/6g536j ), for budget reasons, I didn't go for it. I did find that I didn't need the heater in the Aquadoula, the heater being the primary reason I had shelled out the extra money in the first place--even though the second time I used one I actually had it filled up at least 5 hours before I even got into it and that was in February. It held heat VERY well.
I ended up getting a La Bassine with a liner. I liked it. I was afraid that the fishy pool would be too shallow for me to be totally immersed (which was my primary reason that I wasn't relying on using the Jacuzzi that I now have), not to mention that I didn't think I would be able to stretch out as much as I would like to, and I'm only 5'3" tall.
I'm looking to sell the LaBassine. Like I said, I used it with the liner, and actually, I ended up only being in it for about 45 minutes with my water intact, and then got out about 20 minutes before the birth, and never got back in. Its been cleaned thoroughly. E-mail me at waxwoman98 at yahoo dot com if you are interested.
Jenn
I labored in the Sevylor and really liked it, the bottom is cushy and the sides are really sturdy. It held the heat in well too. It was almost too deep for me, but I'm only 5'2". I think it is a good choice if you want more of an open space feeling, I actually think the La Bassine may have felt more cozy because of the oval shape and the handles would have been nice too.
ReplyDeleteI'll put in a vote for the Birth Pool in a Box (a slight misnomer, as it actually comes in a bag).
ReplyDeleteEverything you mentioned is true--the sides are nice for women to lean into on hands-and-knees (and sturdy enough for a midwife or partner to sit on, if need be). The handles are often nice. The floor is cushy, and I really like the seat that is built-in. I don't see too many women sit on it during labor, per se, but it often is a nice place to land immediately after the baby is born, before they want to get out of the tub. It brings them up out of the water, just slightly, so they can cradle the baby--to nurse or just to look at.
If you're buying your tub this will be less of an issue, but they also sell vinyl liners for the tub (for about $30), which don't feel like liners at all, but which make clean-up a breeze (the midwife I work for owns a few of these tubs and lends them to her clients, so we use the liners--but I've cleaned up an unlined tub as well, and it was considerably more work).
I also like the construction of the tub, with the three horizontal chambers for air. In at least one case, I've seen it be useful to a mother to deflate one ring after the birth when she was getting out of the tub--it just made it a little easier to step out over the edge.
All this said, I've never used any other tub. But there really isn't anything I would change about the BPiaB, so it gets my hearty endorsement.
I used the fishy pool and it was great, but I'm only 5'2". ;)
ReplyDeleteI've love to see the other pools... I've only been at births with the fishy pool or the AquaDoula.
I rented an Aquadoula for my second birth but the hot water heater ran out and I birthed precipitously (we were living in a small apartment at the time) and the tub was only half full so I did not get my waterbirth. I never rented a birth tub again simply because I tend to have my babies too quickly for one, but I'd recommend the Aquadoula. Maybe look around for a used one that someone purchased and rents out? I live in WA State and there are a lot of OOH births here so sometimes people buy tubs and rent them out for discount prices.
ReplyDeleteHi Rixa, I use the La Basseine and it's great.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to join my email list
waterbirthinwomen@yahoogroups.com
We discuss this kind of minutae all the time and you could see the archives.
Rixa,
ReplyDeleteI used a La Bassine and had great luck with it. It takes about 5 minutes to set up. Between boiling water and the water tank, we were able to keep it warm. We put towels underneath so the bottoms was nice and squishy. I loved it, it was great for soaking in at the end of pregnancy, too!! I have also heard great things about the mini BPIAB. I would go with one of those two.
There's a great thread saved in the homebirth forum on MDC with info on tubs as well as where to get the faucet adaptors.
I used the Bassine, and was so glad I spent the extra money. It was perfect, sturdy and wasn't too, too big. I wanted space, but I also wanted to feel enclosed and safe.
ReplyDeleteIt was so sturdy that my boys used it as a swimming pool for the whole summer with no leaks (even having dragged it over concrete multiple times).
Amy
Another recommend for the La Bassine, I had my daughter in it and labored in it most of the time. I'm 5'1 1/2" but heavy and both me and my husband of equal weight and nearly 6 feet tall fit in it comfortably, we didn't have to empty the water once because it stayed warm. We were able to fill it most of the way with our sink and a hose and heated up water on the stove for the rest, every so often the mister would add another really hot pot from the stove and it was heaven. Plus the bottom and sides are really comfy to rest on and the handles were great too, there was even room to just float if I wanted and I liked that my entire tummy and back were under water.
ReplyDeleteWow. Lots of comments. Another one here who bought and loved my La Bassine. I love the padded bottom and with a fish tank water pump it was a perfect set up. Quick to fill, stayed hot/warm a long time, nice high sides that could comfortably hold my weight, great for swimming older kids afterwards and the company I bought mine from even sold plastic balls to make a ball room out of it later.
ReplyDeleteI labored in a Rubbermaid Agricultural stock trough, borrowed from my midwife. We lined it with blankets and then a birth pool liner, so it was nice and soft, and then easy to clean. I would say that whatever birth pool you choose, get one that is nice and sturdy with strong sides that you can get a good grip on. While I was pushing, I found myself holding on to the side of the pool/trough and pulling on it, while at the same time pushing against the side of the pool/trough with my knees (The kneeling position felt best for most of the time while I was in the there).
ReplyDeleteHi Can you share which liner you purchased that actually fits over the rubbermaid trough? I keep searching but cant find it anywhere. Thanks. Alida w5
DeleteAs a midwife I have used many choices, and I have to say that I love the Rubbermaid stock tank that I let my clients use. They line it with blanket and pillows to cushion the bottom, then cover everything with a tub liner, and fill. Very easy to set up. I love the oval shape and depth. Moms can sit sideways and push their feet against the sides for pushing. It has sturdy sides for leaning on. I have no problems keeping the water warm. Cover it with a blanket when not in use, and have a couple pots of boiling water on the stove to warm it up if needed.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelli,
Deletecan you please share which liners actually fit the rubbermaid tank? I keep searching online but can't any particular liner that will fit this particular tub. Thank you so much. Alida w5
Kelli, I'm sure as a midwife you dont "let" your clients use any pool they of course choose the one they want!!
ReplyDeleteI have a combination. The la Bassine is the cheapest option and is great but could be a little deeper, Tania ( another midwife) brought a pool in a box back from England when we went over for the conference because we can't get them in Australia. I think it's much more spacious. I also have a custom made hard sided pool, we use pipe lagging around the edge so it's not hard.
It usually depends on the area they live, water can be an issue here and the made in water uses least amount of water.
Birthing in all sorts of homes, a straw bale foundation means that a large pool with 1 tonne of water is not practical either.
There isn't a one size fits all kind of pool.
I used an aqua doula for my first and had the same complaint about the edge being narrow. For my second baby I put pipe insulation around the aqua doula edge. It is very cheap and worked great!
ReplyDeleteI labored in a fishy pool for my homebirth, but I birthed outside of it. (per my midwife's request)I would love to see the other ones.
ReplyDeleteYou may know this already since your post was months and months ago, but tankless hot water heaters often cost a lot more than people initially think. Although they are very energy efficient over the course of a day, month, year, etc, for the short durations that they are on they consume more energy than all your other gas appliances put together. For that reason, tankless hot water heaters generally require a dedicated one inch gas line directly from the gas meter to the water heater. This generally ads anyone from $800 to $1,200 to the base installation price. We've had customers send their tankless heaters back after realizing the total cost of installation was much higher than what they were told in the store.
ReplyDeleteI gave birth in a 150 gal. Rubbermaid stock tank twice (baby #5 and #6) and it was awesome! I moved away from the midwife who had provided the stock tank and for my next birth I bought the fishy pool. It was TERRIBLE! I'm only 5' 2" and 105 lbs when not pregnant. I had back labor (first time and hopefully last) and could not get deep enough in the pool and into a comfortable position. It felt flimsy, no traction when pushing. I slipped while holding baby afterward and was afraid he'd go under so I just got out. It didn't feel safe. I'm pregnant again and this time we're spending the money on the stock tank ($150 at Tractor Supply) unless I find out there's something just as sturdy and cheap. For comfort we first put in an old crib mattress folded like a chair, then a white sheet for visibility, then a plastic liner, all duct taped around the outside. When I'm done with this one I'll sell it on Craigslist in "farm and garden".
ReplyDelete