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It would be great to hear from you if you would like to share your experience with our birth pool with us. Please contact Jane Hewitt at info@birthpoolinabox.com

Inflatable Birth Pool in a Box pools have been used for thousands of labors and births in Europe. The Regular and Mini pools have been available since December 2005, and were designed and built with the help of midwives and mothers in focus groups. The new pools represent a new generation of Birth Pool in a Box. The results are robust, safe, comfortable and hygienic birth pools for use at home or in hospital. We do recognise that no pool design can be all things to all people. This FAQ will help you decide if Birth Pool in a Box is for you.

Both pools are the same depth, so the choice comes down to length/width. For women over 5'8" the Mini pool may feel too small to comfortably assume positions conducive to labour and birth, such as leaning on the sides facing out with legs extended out behind. If your partner wants to join you in the pool, then whatever your height, the Regular pool is more comfortable. On the other hand, if you have limited space in the room you plan to use, you may be better off with the Mini pool even if you are over 5'8". The buoyancy of water will be in effect no matter your height or which pool you choose. It is simply the amount of space you may have around you that will differ with which pool you choose.

When a Birth Pool in a Box Personal Pool is sold to an individual, it is for their use only (or their partner or daughter or grand-daughter). If you use a Birth Pool in a Box bought for someone else or provided to you by a midwife or hospital, then check that it is a re-usable Professional or Hospital Grade model. This is marked on the side of the pool by the top white valve. Personal Pools have a warning on them - "Not to be loaned or hired for re-use". We advise you not to use such a pool unless you have purchased it yourself as new/unused.

The main issue for a midwife is likely to be the depth of the pool as she will want to ensure there is enough water to safely birth the baby. She may also want to ensure she has access to the mother for delivery. A baby born under water needs to be completely under the water as it is born, so the woman's lower body needs to be completely submerged when birthing the baby. If your midwife expresses reservations about using your pool, you have a few options:

• Invite her to have a look at the pool prior to labor;
• Share with her the adjustable pool height options;
• Demonstrate how the pool will be when properly inflated, filled and with you in it;
• Put her in touch with our company and we'd be happy to refer her to many midwives who have happily used and would recommend birth pool in a box.
• We can also supply her with a copy of "Emergency Exit Procedures" for Birth Pool in a Box.

Note that the clinical judgment of the midwife on the day of your labor should be recognised as she may not be the same midwife who you originally spoke to, so be sure to cover as many bases as you can prior to your labour. Of course, the benefits of using water for labour alone are worth the investment, even if the midwife requests that you get out for the actual birth. Water is proven to shorten labor and reduce the need for interventions, regardless if there is a water birth or a land birth at the end of the labor!

The other issue for midwives may be the risk of puncture. Sensible precautions are covered in this FAQ under What is the risk of puncturing the pool?