Coming in May 2010: The Aquaborn inflatable birth pool with single use liner and pump. $150.00 for 27 days plus return postage.
Rent an Aquadoula pool for $249.00 for 27 days. Includes delivery in Vancouver, Burnaby, New West, and the North Shore. Other areas will be charged for shipping or pick up can be arranged.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING WATER DURING LABOUR?
There is evidence that immersion in water can LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE during labour. It is much easier to maintain ACTIVE BIRTHING POSITIONS in the gravity-reduced environment of the pool. Water SUPPORTS the mother during labour reducing the pressure during labour. Women have used water as a form of pain relief for hundreds of years. Warm water on the lower back (which is the area of the spinal cord that receives the nerves from the lower abdominal region) can reduce labour pain. Water can be used along side many other forms of pain relief such as the TENS.
HOW LONG CAN I BE IN THE WATER?
As long as you need/want to be, it sometimes happens that water slows things down to a point where the midwife suggests that you get out and walk about for a bit. How long you can stay in the pool if things have slowed down will depend on the experience and open-mindedness of the midwife.
WHY MIGHT THE MIDWIFE ASK ME TO LEAVE THE POOL? WHEN CAN I GET IN?
When labour is ‘established’. This is about 4-5cms dilated, or when the contractions are about 2 minutes long, regular, and about 5 minutes apart. Use this ‘tool’ when you find that other techniques like massage, Birthing TENS, dancing, etc no longer help, when you begin to think ‘now I really need something’. Often getting into the pool at this point gives a wonderful whooshing release of tension. This relaxes the muscles, eases fear and anxiety, floods the body with endorphins and quite often moves you along the road of labour quite a way.
ONCE IN, WILL I BE ABLE TO GET OUT AGAIN?
You can get in and out as often as you need to. The temperature of the pool is maintained with the Aquadoula Heating System so there is no need to get out while the pool heats up. Please remember that the pool is not a hottub/jacuzzi.
WHY DOES THE BABY NOT DROWN?
A baby born without distress into the water will not receive the stimulus to breathe. Breathing may be stimulated by either a drop in temperature lower than 37 degrees, having received some distress during delivery or excessive handling whilst still underwater. The baby is still connected to the umbilical cord and is receiving an oxygenated blood supply via the placenta. In water, the cord remains soft and continues to pulse after the baby is delivered, so s/he does not need to breathe until after the cord is cut.
CAN I DELIVER THE PLACENTA IN THE POOL?
Some midwives may prefer you to leave the pool for the third stage because it is very hard to assess blood loss in the water. You should discuss this with you midwife in the early stages.
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WATER TEMPERATURE?
It is absolutely fine to have the water at any temperature comfortable to you using the pool before labour for relaxation. However, it is very important that the labouring mother does not become overheated, as this may be a factor that can cause fetal distress to the baby. The recommended range is 35-37.0 degrees Celsius during the first stage of labour and 37-37.5 in the 2nd stage. If the baby is delivered in the water it must not be cooler than the average body temperature. However, it is difficult to get readings accurate to half a degree in a constantly moving body of water.
WHERE CAN WE PUT THE POOL?
It is suggested that you put the pool where you feel safest and most comfortable. The pool comes in sections and can be carried and assembled almost anywhere. A flat floor is preferable, with access to a power point nearby. The weight load when filled is 1500lbs and water capacity is 150 gallons. If you are unsure of the loading capacity of your building then check with a qualified structural engineer. The weight of the pool is the equivalent to having 10 people in your kitchen all weighing 150lbs each.
HOW DO I SET UP THE POOL?
Step by step instructions are provided in the manual for pool set up and installation of the Heater System. You may wish to put extra plastic sheeting down to protect your flooring from splashes before you set up the pool. Set up takes 15 minutes. Full instructions are provided on set up.
HOW WILL I FILL THE POOL?
You use the hose that you will have purchased (for hygiene purposes) to fill the pool with hot/warm tap water. A universal faucet adapter is provided. It takes about 1 hour to fill to the correct water level required. Normally 2 water tanks worth…. We recommend using a drinking water hose as they have less chemical residue than garden hoses. You can purchase them from Mama Goddess Birth Shop online or at Canadian Tire.
WHEN DO I PLUG IN THE HEATING SYSTEM?
You plug in the heating System when the pool is completely filled to the proper water level. Remember to fill pool with hot/warm water as the Heater System maintains the temperature of the water but doesn’t heat the water up. An insulated cover is also provided to cover the pool to keep heat in whilst not in use.
HOW DO I EMPTY THE POOL WHEN FINISHED?
A submersible pump is provided for your use to empty the pool. Drainage takes 20-30 minutes.
HOW DO I RESERVE A BIRTHPOOL?
Please contact Jenny either by telephone or by e-mail to arrange for a rental agreement to be mailed out to you. A deposit of $75 is requested to confirm booking along with a signed copy of the rental agreement. It is strongly recommended that you reserve your pool at least 6-8 weeks prior to having the pool delivered to you. Final payment is made prior to delivery if outside of Vancouver otherwise it can be made upon delivery of your pool. You can arrange to pick the pool up if you prefer. The total cost of rental of the pool is $249, which includes DELIVERY & COLLECTION if in Vancouver, Burnaby, New West and the North Shore. If you require a birth pool at short notice please contact Jenny as soon as possible for further arrangements, which can be made if necessary.
SPECIAL DEAL CONTINUES $249 INCLUDES DELIVERY & PICKUP IF IN Vancouver, Burnaby, New West and North Vancouver, otherwise a $30 delivery fee will be applied. Pick up can also be arranged
Delivery to areas outside of Metro Vancouver is made by Greyhound Express. Shipping would then be added to the rental cost of the pool.
Please book early to secure your pool.
WHEN IS THE POOL DELIVERED?
We suggest that you have the pool delivered 10 days before the due date of your baby. The rental is for a 27-day period, which can be extended at $50 per week. Of course, you can choose when you would like the pool delivered to you. If in Vancouver, Burnaby, New West or the North Shore, there is no charge for delivery & collection of the pool. If in other parts of Metro Vancouver area a $30 fee is added for delivery & pick up. For the rest of BC & Canada, courier service/Greyhound is pre-arranged with you.
HOW DO I RETURN THE POOL TO BIRTHING BUDDIES?
Once you have cleaned the pool and re-packed it into its box, ensuring all parts are present, if you live in the Vancouver/Greater Vancouver area you contact Jenny to arrange pickup. Otherwise the pool would be returned by courier service/Greyhound, which is pre-arranged with you.
WHY DO I NOT WANT TO JUST BUY A KIDDIES’ PADDLING POOL?
Firstly, infection control is of great importance, so jet streams, hot tub/jacuzzi style tubs should not be used. Why? It is impossible to clean out the filters inside and out between each use, it has been known in the past for Strep A to have been detected causing risk of illness to your baby. The rubber pools are not always big enough for you to adopt comfortable labouring positions easily, not all can fit both you and your birth partner, who you will need for support. Some are not high enough or sturdy enough for you to lean on too. It is impossible to maintain a constant water temperature, which is thought very important…. At the end of the day, it’s about making an informed choice, which is considered safe practice for you and your baby.
WHAT INFECTION CONTROL POLICY DO YOU HAVE?
The birth pools are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between rentals. The germicidal detergent used is Maxima 128. Each rental is provided with a form fitting disposable liner, which is 4ml thick, latex free, LDPE plastic and is double sealed to prevent leaks. The disposable liner covers the inside as well as the outside of the entire pool. After use, the liner is easily removed and disposed of by you. A pair of long sleeved disposable gloves is provided for the midwife.
CAN I SET THE BIRTH POOL UP IN THE HOSPITAL I WISH TO DELIVER AT?
You would need to ask the labour & delivery staff for the hospital policy on waterbirth. The birth pool would require to be checked by the hospital electrical engineers also. You would also need to check with your doctor/midwife to see if they offer waterbirth as an option for you.
