home water birth apparatus?

[L&L]

Should I rent the 'aquadoula' for $200 or buy a kiddie pool for $25? Can anyone tell me their experiences with either? I have three tubs in my house, but I don't think they would provide MW 'easy access' and I am quite tall and will be very large by the time I am in labor, lol.

[caligirl07]

I've used the kiddie pool last time, and just bought another to use this time... It worked great for us and you can't beat the price tag... (Plus its fun to watch kids swim in it during the summer). The one I used is on most homebirth supply sites and it had fairly sturdy walls, and an inflatable floor. I did inflate about a week ahead of time because I was a bit worried about smelling the vinyl, but it wasn't an issue.

[dana_renay]

The aquadoula has a heater, which was nice, since it ended up sitting for several days before I actually used it. It was very roomy - my DH could have gotten in with me if I had wanted, and I was able to stretch out and sort of float a bit. My belly was well covered. I didn't end up giving birth in it, though (hospital transfer). I do think I would rent again.

[pants]

I've used the kiddie pool last time, and just bought another to use this time... It worked great for us and you can't beat the price tag... (Plus its fun to watch kids swim in it during the summer). The one I used is on most homebirth supply sites and it had fairly sturdy walls, and an inflatable floor. I did inflate about a week ahead of time because I was a bit worried about smelling the vinyl, but it wasn't an issue.

this. Kiddie pool all the way. It even had a cushioned bottom. I inflated mine early too.

[tanyachap]

My midwife loaned me her fancy pool with a bench and heater. I don't remember the name. I did not use any of the accessories so if I had to do it again and buy the pool, I would go with a kiddie pool.

[Windy]

I got this, I'm 6' tall, and this fit me comfortably during labor. Mine is folded up in the back room waiting for the next use, when it was new I blew it up way in advance to let it off gas - took a few days.

[doulajenn]

That is a terrific pool! Well the heater is nice, but as long as you can keep some pots of hot water on the stove, the blow-up one will be just fine. I did an aquadoula and loved it, but also as a student midwife, recommend the blow-up all the time.

The one thing I would wonder - with my pool rental, someone came and set it up, and then immediately after I called after the birth he came and cleaned it and took it away. totally worth the money I spent!

You will be fine either way!!!

[Windy]

That is a terrific pool! Well the heater is nice, but as long as you can keep some pots of hot water on the stove, the blow-up one will be just fine. I did an aquadoula and loved it, but also as a student midwife, recommend the blow-up all the time.

The one thing I would wonder - with my pool rental, someone came and set it up, and then immediately after I called after the birth he came and cleaned it and took it away. totally worth the money I spent!

You will be fine either way!!!

DH did that here. He had everything broken down by the time my mom arrived - she works 2 hours away but was there in more like an hour

[doulajenn]

Yeah... my DH didn't want to do that. Awesome that yours did!