Choosing Water Birth Tubs
 

Choosing between water birth tubs can seem like an overwhelming task, especially when you’re dealing with so much. It’s actually pretty easy to choose a tub or birthing pool. Here’s a look at some considerations to keep in mind.

Choosing Water Birth Tubs: Rent or Buy?
The first choice you’ll need to make is whether you want to buy or rent a birthing tub. If you decide to rent, the tub will be delivered to your home, birthing center or hospital and be very high-quality. Rented pools come with everything you need, including heating and filtration systems, an underwater Doppler device and more as part of a complete package. You’ll pay somewhere around $350 to rent a tub for 4 or 5 weeks. If you want to buy a tub, inflatable options are usually the best choice. They’re more affordable and make a good back-up option if you’re already planning a water birth at a hospital.

Choosing Water Birth Tubs: How to Buy
If you want to buy an inflatable birthing tub, keep the following guidelines in mind as you make your choice:

• Your height. If you’re taller than 5’8″, you might want a larger pool as the mini versions won’t be comfortable.
• Your partner. Is your partner going to be in the pool with you for the labor and birth? If so, choose one with an oval or hexagonal shape that’s larger than a regular pool so you both have room.
• Weight. Birthing pools for rent generally weigh a lot more than an inflatable pool. Still, you’ll need to consider how much the pool will weigh when it’s full and whether the floor underneath can support it.
• Space. How much space do you have available and where will the pool be set up? Hexagonal-shaped pools are best for confined spaces.
• Comfort. Because your comfort is the most important thing, choose a pool that gives you room to move freely during labor and birth. You’ll want a pool that has external handles or a thin rim that you can hold onto.
• Punctures. Finally, choose something that won’t puncture easily if you decide you want an inflatable birthing pool. It should be made of thick PVC and not placed on uneven floor or wooden floors that may cause a puncture.