No birthing pool is manufactured to a higher standard, or ensures a safer or more nurturing environment for your baby to be born into. It’s no coincidence that La Bassine birthing pools are the premier global brand.
Combining style, comfort and practicality, La Bassine has become the respected industry leader, recommended by maternity professionals all over the world.
What are the differences in size?
Original Regular Birth Pool
Inflated floor: 7.5cm (3″)
External length: 165cm (65″)
External width: 135cm (53″)
External height: 76cm (30″)
Internal length: 125cm (50″)
Internal width: 95cm (38″)
Internal depth: 65cm (26″)
Rim width: 20cm (8″)
Maxi Birth Pool
Inflated floor: 7.5cm (3″)
External length: 191cm (75″)
External width: 164cm (65″)
External height: 71cm (28″)
Internal length: 145cm (57″)
Internal width: 118cm (46″)
Internal depth: 63cm (25″)
Rim width: 23cm (10″)
Original Professional Birth Pool
Inflated floor: 7.5cm (3″)
External length: 165cm (65″)
External width: 135cm (53″)
External height: 76cm (30″)
Internal length: 125cm (50″)
Internal width: 95cm (38″)
Internal depth: 65cm (26″)
Rim width: 20cm (8″)
Maxi Professional Birth Pool
Inflated floor: 7.5cm (3″)
External length: 191cm (75″)
External width: 164cm (65″)
External height: 71cm (28″)
Internal length: 145cm (57″)
Internal width: 118cm (46″)
Internal depth: 63cm (25″)
Rim width: 23cm (10″)
Can I get in and out of the pool?
Of course you can! La Bassine has a convenient external height to comfortably get in and out of, without the need of a step.
How do I inflate the pool?
Simply use the bigger nozzle that you have on the pump and plug it into the big black valve, on the side of your pool.
Inflate the pool until all wrinkles are gone. Avoid over inflating as this can damage the pool; you will have plenty of time to add more pressure later if needed. There is no particular order to inflate the walls or the floor first.
Once inflated make sure that the valves are secure. The black valve needs to be screwed in to prevent air loss.
Why do I need a liner?
A liner gives a hygienic lining to the pool. It sits inside the pool and totally covers the pool, where water will sit.
Should you be hiring a pool from us a liner comes as standard. We are huge advocates for liners as these are required for hygiene and safety reasons.
Should you be purchasing a pool from us you can either buy a kit which includes a liner or add one to your basket.
Top tip - put the liner in when the pool is partially inflated (circa 80%). It’s much easier to get the liner in this way!
How do I fill the pool?
You fill the pool with the food grade hose. As a part of our hire kits you receive a brand new hose, 15m in length. Should you purchase a pool either opt for a kit that includes one or add one to the basket.
The standard garden hose is made with many dangerous chemicals. These chemicals not only come out in abundance with the first use (flushed out along with manufacturers “grease” but leach out over time with break down of the hose). This is not deemed as safe as this fills your birth pool with this contaminated water.
La Bassine hoses are selected for their technical properties: non-kink, anti-algae, free from phthalates, lead and cadmium. Just connect to your tap connector with the hose end adapter and pop into the pool. It should take around 25-35 minutes to fill La Bassine, according your water flow.
How do I empty the pool?
If you are hiring a pool we supply a submersible pump, in our kit. If you are purchasing a pool we have kits that include them, if you choose just a pool you can add a pump (found under accessories). This is, of course the best way to empty the pool.
The pump connects onto the hose. Sit the pump at the bottom of the pool. Plug the pump in and away it goes! It's useful to identify where your nearest sink or drain is. Sometimes it may be easier to thread the hose out a window into the outside drain.
How do I keep the pool warm?
A heat retaining pool cover is available as an option that you can purchase. Please see kit contents of our different kits as some include a cover. Also, inflatable birthing pools provide a better insulation than a rigid birthing pool and keep the water warm longer.
The delivery room should always be at least 25-28°C (77-82°F) to ensure the thermal protection of the newborn. In a room at 25°C, the temperature of the water will drop by less than a 1°C per hour. Kettles of hot water provide a quick way to increase the temperature in the pool, should it start to cool off; just to sure to add the hot water away from mum to avoid burns.
What about punctures to my birthing pool, is this likely?
Great question and always a worry when you have a pool of water sat in your living room! Thankfully its very very unlikely. Here are some useful tips to help protect your pool from puncture;
- Keep pets claws away. Refrain from allowing pets to jump up the side of the pool. It's advisable to keep them away in storage and when inflated.
- Leave the pool in the room you wish to give birth in, for up to 72 hours (if time allows!) This allows the pool to get to the room temperature fully. As the pools as plastic if they are cold and you un roll them they are in a more vulnerable state. In the summer months this isn't as much of an issue.
- Prepare and protect your floor. Clear/sweep/hoover the floor; yes including those rogue lego pieces your toddler has left lying around (or partner!). Check for any sharp places - especially if you have real wooden floors. Lay the tarpaulin then inflate the pool on top. Some people also choose to add a double/king duvet cover on top of the tarpaulin to make it softer under foot.
- Avoid moving the pool between rooms i.e. pushing the pool through door frames when inflated. Take care to deflate and move.
- Remove jewellery and/or piercings that may come into contact with the pool.
- Consider what partners or children are wearing, if they are coming into the pool with you i.e. no shoes or belts
If you find yourself with a puncture the pools do come with a puncture repair kit. Isolate the puncture and apply the patch with the glue provided. The 'I Beam' structure of the pools reduce the event of a total collapse.
Please keep checking back as we continue to add to our FAQs. If you have a question, do just drop us a message on the 'Contact Us' form.
