Setting up the birth pool

Setting up your birth pool is easy! Just follow these simple steps to get your pool ready for childbirth in water:

1. Choose the right spot
   Pick a spacious area with plenty of room to move, like your living room or bedroom. Make sure your partner, midwife, and birth assistant can comfortably access at least two sides of the pool. Consider proximity to warm water—our standard hose is 10 meters, but you can connect two hoses for up to 20 meters reach.
   
   
2. Unfold the pool
   Carefully unpack and unfold your birth pool on a clean, flat surface.
   
   
3. Inflate your birth pool
   Use the electric pump provided to inflate the pool. Start with the floor and integrated seat, then inflate the lower chamber, working your way upwards. Inflate the top ring only halfway at first.
   
   
4. Insert the pool liner
   Place the hygienic liner inside your birth pool. Smooth it out evenly to ensure it fits snugly. The liner ensures hygiene, clearly shows minimum and maximum water levels, and makes cleaning up easy. Once the liner is placed, fully inflate the top ring to secure it in place.
   
   
5. Fill the pool
   Fill your birth pool with warm water (approximately 37°C) up to the recommended minimum level. Regularly check the temperature to keep it comfortable during labor. As your baby’s birth approaches, the ideal water temperature is between 36.5°C and 37.5°C. Check the temperature again around 9 centimeters dilation. If needed, easily add warm water through the hose.

Using the birth pool

Once your birthing pool is ready, it's important to safely get in and out, and find the most comfortable positions during labor:

• Getting in and out safely
  The sturdy Birth Pool in a Box has a wide rim, making it easy to sit and safely step in or out. Move slowly, and ask your partner or midwife to support you, especially during strong contractions.
  
  
• Comfortable positions
  You can try different comfortable positions in the birth pool, such as:
• Sitting comfortably, using the integrated seat for back support.
• Kneeling and leaning forward onto the wide edge of the pool (very popular!).
• A deep squat position, supported by the pool seat.

Regularly changing positions helps you discover what feels best during your water childbirth.

After the birth

After your baby is born, take some time to relax together in the warm water. Hold your baby securely against your chest, above water, and wrap them warmly to prevent cooling down. Your midwife will advise you on the best time to get out of the birthing pool, depending on how you and your baby are doing. Always accept help when leaving the pool.

Cleaning the birth pool

Properly cleaning your birth pool after a water birth is essential:

1. Drain the water
   Use a submersible pump and hose to quickly and safely pump the water directly into a toilet or drain. This takes about 45 minutes, and you don't need to supervise the entire time.
   
   
2. Remove the liner
   Carefully remove and discard the liner, as it's designed for single use. You can also use the liner as a large bag to dispose of other birth-related waste in one go.
   
   
3. Clean the pool
   After removing the liner, the pool should be clean but might have some condensation. Clean the pool gently with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals to protect the pool material.
   
   
4. Let it dry completely
   Dry your pool thoroughly with a clean towel, then let it air-dry fully before packing it away.

Storing the birth pool

When your birth pool is clean and dry, storage is simple:

• Deflate the pool
  Carefully open all valves and fully deflate each chamber. You can also use the pump to remove remaining air from the floor and seat.
  
  
• Fold it neatly
  Fold your pool carefully and compactly, avoiding sharp creases that could damage the material.
  
  
• Store properly
  Pack the birth pool in its original storage bag. Planning to use it again later? Bring it to room temperature (at least 72 hours) before inflating next time, and test it ahead of your due date to avoid surprises during your next water birth labour.

Ready to experience your own water birth?

Now you're prepared for your own beautiful water birth experience! Curious about what a water birth is like in detail and the different choices available to you?