your questions answered
When should I go into the water?
You are encouraged to use the birthing pool at any point during labor. Many women find the birthing pool useful for its calming effect during the early stages. If contractions are irregular, relaxing in the birthing pool may facilitate dilation and encourage regular contractions. As labor progresses, the water immersion improves movability and the buoyancy effect causes feelings of weightlessness and optimizes comfort. Midwives have reported that a mother can progress from minimally dilatated to fully dilated within 1 to 2 hours of immersion. If labor appears stalled, research has shown that in some cases water immersion can be used instead of chemical labor inducers such as Pitocin, as it increases oxytocin levels which simultaneously reduces stress hormones while increasing and strengthening uterine contractions.
What temperature should the water be?
The water should be at a temperature that is comfortable for the mother, which is usually between 32-38 degrees Celsius. A floating thermometer will be provided to maintain and monitor the water temperature. We encourage the mother to drink plenty of water during labor to prevent dehydration.
Will my baby take its first breath under water?
There are several factors preventing the baby from inhaling water during a water birth.
During pregnancy it is normal for the baby to move their chest wall muscles about 40% of the time. As birth approaches, the levels of the placental hormone, Prostaglandin E2 rise, disabling fetal breathing motions.
In the womb, the baby’s lungs are filled with and protected by fluid. It is very unlikely that fluids from the birthing pool pass into the already full lungs.
The diving reflux, present in babies until 6-8 months of age, prevents the baby from inhaling water. The Glottis in the back of a baby’s throat automatically closes when the baby's face enters water. If fluid enters the throat, it is then swallowed and not inhaled. This is the same reflex that prevents babies from inhaling milk while breastfeeding.
Do I need to be concerned about the weight of the pool when it is full?
The mini pool when filled and occupied weighs about 1230 - 1320 lbs. The regular pool filled and occupied weighs about 1600 - 1690 lbs. We recommend using the pool on the ground level of your home or in a corner of an upper room if you are planning on birthing in an older house. We cannot guarantee that an upper floor will support the weight of the birth pool. That being said, we can find no record of this issue occurring. Because a full pool with the mother in it weighs about the equivalent of 8-13 people standing in the same area, this appears to be a very unlikely scenario.
Is the pool difficult to set up?
No, our pools are very simple to set up, taking less than 20 minutes. Filling the pool may require more time. You have the option of filling the pool up halfway in advance and then filling the remainder of the pool with hot water when you decide to enter while in labor. This will save you preparation time on the big day. If this is the route you choose to go, we highly recommend purchasing a pool cover, for safely and sanitary reasons. For more set-up information, watch this video.
What if the pool is damaged?
We inspect our pools before each rental, so it is very unlikely that you will receive the pool in damaged condition. In the unlikely chance that the pool is damaged, please let us know as soon as possible, so that we can provide you with a replacement. We recommend that you set up the pool with the liner before the big day, so that you have one less thing to think about once labor is progressing.
What if I don’t end up using the pool?
Depending on the time frame in relation to the rental period in which you decide not to use the pool, or discover that you are unable to use it for various reasons, we may be able to reimburse a portion of the rental fee:
If you change your mind, for medically related reasons, before the rental period begins, you may be reimbursed all expenses minus the non-refundable deposit.
If you change your mind, for personal non-medical reasons once the rental period has already begun, you may be refunded a portion of the cost of the liner (provided it is unused and still in the original packaging) if requested. If your liner is used and/or not in the original packaging, we will be unable to provide any reimbursement.
As we are unable to guarantee that a planned home birth will go according to plan, we will not be providing any reimbursement, unless the liner is unused and still in the original packaging. In which case, a portion of the cost of the liner may be reimbursed, if requested.
Will I be charged extra for the rental if I go overdue?
No, rental periods that are extended due to the mother going overdue, will not incur additional charges. Transparency regarding expected due dates will help us to accommodate the mother in attempting to ensure your home water birth goes as planned. However, rental periods exceeding 4.5 weeks due to a returning of the pool later than a week after the delivery may incur additional charges.
May I have a water birth if I am overdue?
Absolutely! Countless women have successfully delivered their babies at home in a birthing pool past their due date. However, we recommend that you discuss with your midwives in advance regarding what would be the latest stage post-due date that they would be comfortable delivering your baby at home.
