Birth Pool Hire

Water Birth

Women have and more women are choosing to have water available at the place of birth. For the many thousands of personal experiences, and from studies done, the benefits are apparent for both mother and baby. In the water, her increased buoyancy eases muscular tension. The effect of gravity is removed, meaning that she won’t have to push against it if floated on her back. In the water the coccyx remains unrestricted allowing maximum room in the pelvis for the baby to pass through. The warmth and support of the water bring increased relaxation encouraging the release of endorphins, and it is often this fact alone that makes the greatest contribution to a relatively painless labour and birth. The warmth of the water will help to reduce blood pressure and maximise oxygenated blood supply to the uterus enabling it to function more efficiently, it relaxes the pelvic floor which helps to speed up the birth process and has a softening effect on the perenium allowing it to stretch allowing it to stretch more easily with less likelihood of tearing.

In addition, the mother feels more in control of herself and her environment, intervention is minimised and pain-relieving drugs with their harmful side-effects, are rarely needed. Fathers may be more fully involved, frequently assisting in the delivery of the baby, while the midwife remains outside the tub. A baby born into water is allowed a much more gradual and gentle introduction into the world outside the womb. Coming from warm amniotic fluid into warm water the umbilical cord remains pulsing, allowing the baby to receive oxygen via the placenta for up to twenty minutes after leaving the womb. Thus, the major transition for a newborn; from wet to dry; from weightlessness to gravity; from darkness to light, may be encountered gradually with awareness and without trauma.

The Birthing Tub Company

manufacturers and suppliers of portable water pools for use in
labour and childbirth

Our pools are octagonal in shape and wooden in construction. Assembled in minutes, the eight flat-packed panels form a structure that is 2 feet high and 4 feet 9 inches across. The octagonal shape and varnished wood results in an aesthetically pleasing and inviting structure. A layer of foam covers the inside and rim for comfort and insulation and a foam base creates a soft floor. A specially shaped, brand new, PVC liner is then fitted, The tub is filled with warm water to a temperature of 37 degrees from the domestic water supply. At a depth of 21 inches the tub holds 200 gallons (900 litres) and weighs just over 2000 pounds (900 kilos). A floating insulated cover is provided for temperature and humidity control. Heat loss in this state is about one half degree centigrade per hour without heating. Tap fittings, new hosing and a pump unit for emptying the pool after use are provided with the tub.

The use of the tub is not limited to labour and childbirth. It is also valuable for relaxation before and after the birth. Older children will love it and it can be a wonderful time for all the family to be together.

Hiring Procedure

Costs

Tub hire, including all accessories, is £165 for the period from 2 weeks before the due date until 2 weeks after the baby has been born. Extra time periods are at £20 per week, Extra disposable liners are available at £35 each. Door to door delivery, set-up and collection is available to anywhere in the UK. Please enquire as to cost.

Booking

to reserve a birthing tub, please contact us to arrange dates for the commencement of the hire period, and send a deposit of £50 to secure your booking, made payable to “Kate Woods”. The balance of £115 is payable 2 weeks prior to the commencement of the hire period.

Cancellation

In the event of a cancellation the deposit is returned provided you notify us up to four weeks before the commencement of the hire period. For a cancellation after the balance payment has been received, this will be returned provided the tub has not been dispatched.

Security Deposit

A separate guaranteed cheque for £50 should be sent along with the balance payment. This will be returned to you when the tub is returned clean, dry and intact.

For more information and to make a booking, please contact us.

“What’s important is what facilitates an easy labour and birth, what helps the mother to surrender and open to the dilation and delivery. In nearly all births I’ve attended where water tubs were used the water made a big difference to the labouring mother”.
- Gwen Atwood, independent midwife

“When I got in at 6-7 cm dilation the pain relief was far greater than I could have imagined.”
- A mother speaking after the birth of her first baby.

“It was a relief to me that my wife clearly found the labour easier in the pool. It was easier for me to support her as I was in the water myself. Helping deliver my son was a fulfilling and joyous experience.”
- A father after the birth of his second child.

“I believe we can transform the quality of life on earth by transforming the quality of the birth experience”.
- Binnie Dansby, International Birth Consultant who was present and assisted at the first documented water birth in the United States.