Birth Pool In A Box

Are you planning a water birth? There are so many different birthing pools out there, deciding on just one can be difficult! I recently gave birth to my daughter thanks to Choices Childbirth Services and the Birth Pool In A Box and I'd love to share a bit of information with you. This is a objective informational article. I will be posting my first hand subjective review of my experience birthing in the Birth Pool In A Box within the next week (P.S. The experience was amazing and I attribute at least part of that to this pool).

The Birth Pool In A Box is the only birth pool recognized as a favourite by Water Birth International, a non-profit organization that ensures that water birth is an available option for all birthing women in all settings.  The Birth Pool In A Box is also the 1st and only birth pool to be FDA approved.  It has been certified by medical device regulators in both the United States and Europe.  Plus, this pool has been rated #1 and makes water birth a possibility for an estimated 8,000 mothers and their babies worldwide each year!

Many women around the world are choosing water birth for their births because water birth:
- decreases sensations of pain in labour (my midwives called it nature's epidural)
- decreases likelihood of vaginal tearing
- increases and eases mobility
- increases feelings of relaxation
- increases the likelihood that birth will be seen as a comfortable and sensual experience
These points were taken from the Birth Pool In a Box website.

Some features and benefits of this pool include:
1. No drain plug - this can be a weak link that midwives and families state is unnecessary.  In our experience, birth pools can be easily drained using a pump or the siphon method.
2. Six handles - spaced and placed well to allow labouring mothers to labour or push in whatever position works and feels best for them!
3. A Built-in Seat in the Regular model - this is great for positioning or sitting, breastfeeding, and/or bonding with baby after the birth.
4. Opaque walls - to increase feelings of privacy.
5. Soft 2" thick floor - provides increased comfort for the mother.
6. Sturdy, thick outer wall - strong enough to allow support people or midwives to sit on.
7. Three (3) independent chambers - allows for pool height adjustments and decreases the likelihood of leaks.
8. Form-fitted Eco Liners - individual single use liners increase hygiene and thus safety.  They also allow for easier clean-up post-birth.
9. Egg shape - allows for movement whether mothers want to feel 'hugged' or like they have space.
10. White floor - increases viability for midwives, the mother, support people and family members.
11. Clear inside wall - can help increase feelings of space.
12. Plain blue rim - allows mothers to focus on their labour instead of distracting text or logos.

The Birth Pool In A Box comes in two sizes for personal use (regular and mini - great for smaller spaces), as well as a professional grade pool that it is intended for multiple uses (great for midwives and doulas).  The Personal Use Regular Size sells for $250 and the Personal Use Mini Size sells for $225.  Both come with one single use liner.  The standard ClearFit covers, accessories, and extra liners are sold separately.  Prices are available on the Birth Pool In A Box website.  To learn more about how you can rent the Birth Pool In A Box, please visit Choices Childbirth Services.

The Birth Pool In A Box is a great option for expectant mothers because it takes the needs and wants of mothers and midwifes into account, and it is reasonably priced.  For more information on the Birth Pool In A Box, please visit the Birth Pool In A Box FAQ page.

In Canada, Choices Childbirth Services is the exclusive distributor of the Birth Pool In A Box.  Choices Childbirth Services is a community-based organization that was established in 1995.  Their goal is to "improve health care to expectant women and their infants and to promote family-centered maternity care".  They provide support and educational services to pregnant women and their families, through prenatal classes, doula services, birth pool rentals, and postpartum care products.

**Disclaimer** Choices Childbirth Services sent me a regular sizes Birth Pool in a Box to allow me to conduct a first-hand review of the product and their service.  I agreed to write one informational objective review of the Birth Pool in a Box (this article) and a subjective review of my experience using the Birth Pool in a Box (upcoming).  Receiving this item did not in anyway alter the information which I discussed in this article; this review is 100% my own opinion.  I did not receive any other type of compensation for this review.