hey hun for my baby i bought a paddling pool. it had nearly the same dimensions as the birth pool in the box and big thick sides. Me my OH and our son all fit in it easily and used it in the summer when it was hot, and even when we were all leaning on the side it stayed upright!!! I've spoken to midwives and they say they say that birth pools are a bit of a rip off and in the past women have given birth in makeshift pools, the sea, lakes, rivers, the bath etc it really doesn't matter as long as YOU are comfortable. Make sure it's tried out before the birth xx