- 20 minutes for the first fill until the water turns cool
- 50 minutes for the water heater to reheat
- 20 minutes for the second fill
I kept a piece of plastic over the top to retain the heat during and after filling. When I came back later to actually get in, the water was still a bit on the hot side. Five hours after my test swim (and almost 7 hours after I had filled it), the pool still felt at least body temperature, if not warmer. Keeping a cover on the pool when it is not in use really helps maintain the water temperature.
Zari gives her stamp of approval.She was not happy when we had to get out.
The pool floor was really cushy and comfortable to kneel and sit on. It is also plenty deep, especially if you fill a few inches higher than the marked line. I would prefer the pool to be longer and narrower, though; I'd like to be able to fully stretch out and float without having to bend my hips or knees. Unless you're in a really large pool, such as the bigger Birth Pool in a Box, you're not going to find this long of a birth pool. I guess I was spoiled with the extra-long jacuzzi tub that I had in my last house!
Emptying the pool took 20 minutes. I was very pleased with the pond/fountain pump that I bought recently; it was silent and quite efficient, with a maximum flow rating of 400 gallons/hour. There were just a few cups of water left in the bottom of the pool that the pump couldn't remove; I mopped it up with two bath towels.
Here are a few pictures of my birth room. It's the only room on the upper floor of our house and has a small bathroom attached (full bath with shower, sink, and toilet).
I really want to try that pool next time. I'm interested to see how it works out for you. Does it have handles or am I thnking of another pool?
ReplyDeleteIt has handles inside, but frankly they'd be a lot more useful if they were on the top of the pool, about 2-3 feet apart, so you could get into a squat and grab onto them.
ReplyDelete"stretching out" wise, i really enjoyed the fishy pool. it was huge, i had no problems to extend my legs.
ReplyDeleteand it was only 35 dollars online.
Oh, I can stretch my legs out, just not the full body from head to toe. I looked into the fishy pool and it was slightly shorter inside than the La Bassine. Anyway it's not a huge deal, but it sure would be nice to be able to float head to toe, like you do in a real swimming pool.
ReplyDeleteknow every woman is different in labor, but speaking from my water birth experience, stretching out is the last thing i wanted in labor. in fact, with my aqua-doula, it was way way too big. i spent some time on hands/knees or leaning over the edge but what i really wanted was to be able to put pressure on the other side with my feet while hanging over the edge.
ReplyDeletewith my most recent birth, i didn't rent a tub but did labor in our big cast iron bathtub. it was too small. something in-between (like your bassine) would have been perfect! i hope you find this is true for you.
also, about the temp- body temp was WAY too hot for me in labor in the aqua-doula. it was not a very warm time of year, either- it was october in missouri. i found it way too hot and i hope you find you don't need the heater either.
i like how your pool has soft edges. i had bruises for weeks after anatoly was born- on my armpits from hanging over the edge of the pool while kneeling.
tabitha not karl
What a beautiful space to birth a baby. :) I love the La Bassine and we use them for many of my clients. I also have the Sevylor, but it's not as nice as the La Bassine. Glad your test run went well - sounds like you have a great plan of action.
ReplyDeletewaiting patiently for baby's arrival. :)
xoxo
in another life I was a midwives apprentice and most every woman at least labored in water.
ReplyDeleteWe filled up the pools with as much water from the tap but also boiled water on the stove with whatever large pots they had. it's easy to bring the temp down if it's too high, but hard to warm it up.... the boiling method really speeds up the filling process.
I wish I would have been brave enough to try a pool in my second floor apartment. But I really didn't trust the floors to be strong enough, lol. Your birth space is lovely. I'm excited for you. :o)
ReplyDeleteDid you notice any fumes from the plastic?
ReplyDeleteNo fumes that I noticed. The LB is made without phalates, which is nice.
ReplyDeleteMy boys would think they'd died and gone to heaven if I had something like that in my house. Zari looks thrilled, too. :) I don't blame her for being sad to get out. A nice, warm, big pool to play in inside the house during early spring when it's too cold outside - what child wouldn't like that?
ReplyDeleteYour birth room looks beautiful and peaceful, Rixa. I hope your birth is, too.
It looks really nice, Rixa-- and how smart to do a trial run, etc. Getting excited for you!
ReplyDeleteHi R., I love using the La Bassine for births. Here's a couple of tips 1. double check the stopper on the bottom that it's pushed in firmly all around. 2. put a kitchen chair against the wall with a tea towel behind (to keep from marking the wall), then, shove the pool tight up against the chair. Then, start to fill with water. The chair does duty as a place to put your water/drinks early and, later, with two pillows on it, acts as a stable place to lean over the tub and put your full weight. Have a wonderful birth. Gloria in Vancouver
ReplyDeleteGloria, great idea about the chair. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteif you float bubble wrap on top of the pool, it keeps the heat in. My midwives with my first baby taught me that trick!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you needed a pump. We just use the natural syphoning process. Works well. Once full (I also would fill highter than the line) it tends to turn into a cup cake and a partner can fit in too.
ReplyDeleteGreat birthing room.
ReplyDelete