Birth Pool & TENS hire

Yes. Birth is unpredictable, and sometimes pools come back in earlier than expected and this may mean an extra slot opens up. However, there is no guarantee that being put on the waiting list will mean you will definitely get a pool.

If you are on the waiting list then the booking does not proceed until I can guarantee you a pool. That way you are not risking losing any money.

To be put on the waiting list please request so when contacting me, and make sure to give me your phone number so I can get in touch with you quickly.

Absolutely, if you book before 27 weeks gestation.

If you would like to organise a payment plan over several months just let me know when you book. I use GoCardless to take Direct Debit payments over 3-5 months on the date of your choosing.

I also accept payments from friends and family on your behalf. A birth pool is a great gift!

You can, if you want to. I supply food safe hosepipe because garden hosepipe is treated with chemicals to help prevent mildew and algae growth, and those are ideally avoided in birth pool water. Even if you use your own hose I will still supply a brand new hosepipe as part of the hire. It is always your choice what supplies to use though.

Both the filling hosepipe and the emptying hosepipe are 10 meters long as standard. I recommend you measure the distance from your planned pool location to your tap.

If you require a longer filling or emptying hose you can request one during the booking process. Both carry a £5 surcharge. Longer emptying hoses come with a more powerful emptying pump.

If you have unusually shaped taps - for example, one with a flow adjuster or one that extends - then you will need to source your own tap connector. I only carry tap connectors for "bog standard" taps, and ones that screw into shower hoses.

You will need to use your own towels. You do not have to buy brand new towels for a homebirth... unless you want to, of course! You can wash blood out of fabric by soaking in cold salt water, using neat washing up liquid on any stubborn areas, and washing on cold with bio detergent. Never hot wash blood as it will set in place.

Standard pool hire is 37-43 weeks. If you are expecting a long pregnancy please let me know when you book so that I can schedule in a longer hire period.

If you are approaching 43 weeks and planning to keep waiting, please let me know you need an extension and I will do my best to accomodate you.

About 7-10 minutes with the provided electric inflation pump. You should start at the bottom and work up, and fill the rings until they are firm.

This depends on your water pressure, the way your water is heated (combi boilers that heat the water on the go take much less time than tanks which have to refill and reheat before they can be emptied again), and whether you have chosen the mini or regular pool size.

However, it is typically in the region of 45-95 minutes for mini pools, and 75-120 minutes for regular pools.

Do note that you do not have to wait until the pool is completely full to get in it - you can get in and continue filling it. This is especially true if you are using a mixer tap rather than separate hot and cold taps. However you would want the water to be high enough to cover your bump, otherwise you won't get any relief.

To best answer this question, I suggest you read this page for information about birth doulas.

I don't carry additional supplies to sell to people, but you can order directly from BPIAB using this link which will give you 10% off their prices. It is an affiliate link so I am rewarded for you using it.