Why ZAS Antwerp can't imagine maternity care without the mobile birthing pool

We spoke with Barbara, team leader in the maternity ward at ZAS Hospital in Antwerp, about how she and her colleagues introduced the mobile birthing pool. What began as a request from a small group of women has evolved into a valuable addition to their care offerings. "And honestly? We wouldn't want to be without it," she says.

The desire originated in the delivery room

"It started with our clients," Barbara explains. "Women increasingly expressed a desire to give birth in water. But our existing tubs weren't suitable for that. They were small, impractical, and essentially just relaxation tubs."

As this request became more frequent, Barbara and her colleagues decided to take action. They saw it as an opportunity to give natural births a more prominent place within their department. The mobile birthing pool offered precisely the freedom and flexibility they were seeking.

Warm water makes a world of difference

Barbara doesn't have hard statistics, but she has plenty of experience: "We notice that women who give birth in water are often calmer. They request epidurals less frequently, and the labor seems to progress more smoothly. There's also scientific evidence suggesting that water births can lead to fewer tears and a quicker delivery."

And this isn't limited to women who had planned a water birth in advance. "Sometimes the idea arises during labor itself. If the midwife is open to using the pool, women tend to have a positive experience. Of course, there are also women who try it for a couple of minutes and decide it's not for them. But that's the beauty of it: you have the choice."

No renovations needed, just flexibility

Why did ZAS opt for a mobile pool instead of a fixed one? "It just doesn't fit our setup," says Barbara. "Our rooms aren't designed for fixed birthing tubs. Renovations would be necessary. With a mobile pool, we can deploy it flexibly wherever needed. It's not only convenient but also cost-effective."

She continues: "We didn't need to make any technical adjustments. The necessary connections are included in the package, and regarding hygiene, our hospital's hygiene department was immediately convinced. The liners and materials meet all the required standards."

A smooth collaboration

Barbara is also positive about the collaboration with the pool supplier. "We don't need to be in constant contact, and that's actually a good sign. Whenever we have a question or place an order, it's always handled promptly. They even visit us annually, even if there's nothing new. We appreciate that. Everything just runs smoothly."

Recommend? absolutely.

Finally, we asked Barbara what she would say to a hospital that's uncertain about whether a mobile pool is right for them. Her answer: "We've been saying for years that more hospitals should consider this. We're big fans and absolutely recommend it."