I wanted a water birth originally, then was told by my hospital that they do not have birthing pools and would not allow me to bring a birthing pool, but did have showers... so I adjusted to that idea as best I could as they are the best birthing center around that I have available to me. BUT then I found out from my doula that she has a birthing pool that she is going to bring to my house for the first part of my labor, and then once I'm going into the second stage we'll transfer to the hospital (if I can make it, the drive is 45 min)
The advice she gave me is:
a) If you're doing this in your home, make sure your house can structurally support that amount of weight. Filling up a birthing pool is pretty heavy, so if you have an old house, you might either want to make sure that the beams can support the weight OR just make sure you have the pool located in the strongest part of your house.
b) Get a garden hose. This is for after you're done using the pool and use a sub-pump to remove the water - it's the easiest method because then you can just snake the hose out the window to remove all the water.
c) If at all possible, have your birthing pool in or near a kitchen. Some pools can regulate their own temp. Mine doesn't really do much more than act like a thermos and will eventually cool down, so my doula is going to continuously boil water on the stove and add it in and adjust the temperature. It's easiest if you have easy access between the pool and a stove.
d) Get a tarp! Put a big tarp underneath the pool in case of leaking, spilling when you get in and out, etc.
e)
PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANTLY: Have your midwife, doula, doctor, whoever is attending make sure that your labor is already progressing well before you even get in the pool. This is because it could actually slow your labor down or even stop your labor if you get in too soon. While your pool is getting set up and filled up, walk around and be on your feet as much as possible to keep labor progressing, then be checked to make sure your labor is progressing well before getting in, and make sure to communicate with your attendant regularly so they can make sure your labor continues to progress while in the water. Once you're in established labor, being in the pool shouldn't slow or stop the labor, but before you really get into established labor, it apparently can, so just be aware of this point!
Also, pp said don't get your hopes up, and this is true! There could be medical reasons why you shouldn't use a birthing pool, but otherwise, it should be fine to use if all else is going well! If your medical facility tells you that you can't use one just because it is their policy, like mine did, you can always get a midwife or doula and rent a birthing pool or use their birthing pool for the first part of your labor and do the majority of your labor at home and only get transferred to the hospital once you're dilated a certain amount
not quite sure what goes on there.
Really hoping that I get to this time!
