Water birth in hospital - pool only 1/3 full???

Jayneypops · Mar 13th, 2012, 03:40 AM

Hi,

We have been planning a home water birth, but after having our hospital tour at the weekend I am considering a water birth in hospital (the thought of having more support to hand post-birth is the main appeal)

The only thing that puts me off really - apart from the unfamiliar surroundings - is that the Delivery Suite Manager mentioned that they only fill the inflatable pools to about 1/3 full as the water goes cold quicker (which I knew) and its easier then to top up with warm rather than MWs running backwards and forwards emptying cold first.

The main reason i want water is for the support, buoyancy and warmth OVER my bump, but surely if its only 1/3 full it will be more like sitting in a warm puddle?

Has anyone had a hospital water birth using an inflatable pool?

stardust599 · Mar 13th, 2012, 10:20 AM

Do they mean they start with 1/3 full then as you progress they add buckets of hot water so effectively the pool will get fuller and fuller as you progress further into labour and they need to keep adding water to heat it? I might consider it then

Jayneypops · Mar 13th, 2012, 11:13 AM

yeah Im guessing they do mean that - although I would want the pool to be at least half full (so that it covers my bump) when I get in as Ive read about women feeling instant relief once they sit in the water, but at 1/3 full I cant imagine I would get that much relief? hmm......

stardust599 · Mar 14th, 2012, 05:23 AM

It seems really silly doesn't it!

Maybe your OH could volunteer to empty buckets of water if they fill the pool for you? I don't know if that would be allowed :-S

JessPape · Mar 17th, 2012, 20:45 PM

How big are the pools? Ive seen small and large ones, depending on the height of the pool 1/3 may still be a decent amount of water. Its something to talk to them about.

Mar 13th, 2012, 03:40 AM	#1
Jayneypops Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Worcestershire, UK Posts: 538	Water birth in hospital - pool only 1/3 full??? Hi, We have been planning a home water birth, but after having our hospital tour at the weekend I am considering a water birth in hospital (the thought of having more support to hand post-birth is the main appeal) The only thing that puts me off really - apart from the unfamiliar surroundings - is that the Delivery Suite Manager mentioned that they only fill the inflatable pools to about 1/3 full as the water goes cold quicker (which I knew) and its easier then to top up with warm rather than MWs running backwards and forwards emptying cold first. The main reason i want water is for the support, buoyancy and warmth OVER my bump, but surely if its only 1/3 full it will be more like sitting in a warm puddle? Has anyone had a hospital water birth using an inflatable pool?

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Mar 13th, 2012, 10:20 AM	#2
stardust599 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: UK Posts: 6,200	Do they mean they start with 1/3 full then as you progress they add buckets of hot water so effectively the pool will get fuller and fuller as you progress further into labour and they need to keep adding water to heat it? I might consider it then

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Mar 13th, 2012, 11:13 AM	#3
Jayneypops Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Worcestershire, UK Posts: 538	yeah Im guessing they do mean that - although I would want the pool to be at least half full (so that it covers my bump) when I get in as Ive read about women feeling instant relief once they sit in the water, but at 1/3 full I cant imagine I would get that much relief? hmm......

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Mar 14th, 2012, 05:23 AM	#4
stardust599 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: UK Posts: 6,200	It seems really silly doesn't it! Maybe your OH could volunteer to empty buckets of water if they fill the pool for you? I don't know if that would be allowed :-S

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Mar 17th, 2012, 20:45 PM	#5
JessPape Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 2,818	How big are the pools? Ive seen small and large ones, depending on the height of the pool 1/3 may still be a decent amount of water. Its something to talk to them about.

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