hi,

just wondered if you can give birth in just any old pool or does it have to be a birthing pool with all the epuipment, and if so what epuipment do you really need?
does the water have to be sterile or can it just be normal tap water warm obviously!!

can anyone shed any light on this for me cos i really want to keep my costs down and was thinking about buying one cheap off ebay or maybe a kids pool, i have seen the ones for ??60-70 but want to spend less than that if at all pos.

thanks girls xx

i think u can hire birthing pools but not sure what the costs are.
im sure the pools at my local unit are filled up on a normal tap, as long as its body temperature so if the baby is born into the water its not shocked! some hospitals have inflatable pools aswell... dont think u really need any equipment as long as u feel supported the water will take your body's weight.
not sure how much help any of this is but goodluck!
hol xx

I dont know that a kids paddling pool would be of much use- the sides probably wouldn't be sturdy enough to let u lean against very much. I would look into hiring a birthing pool- I love the idea of a water birth but I just know I would wake my other children and they would end up in the middle of it all!!

So I'm afraid its off to the hospital for me ha!!