Is birth pool in a box deep enough for a safe birth?
The depth of water in your birth pool is an important consideration, especially if you are planning on giving birth to your baby in the pool. A woman needs at least 18″ of water in order for the buoyancy effect of water to benefit her labour. For birth in the pool, it is critical that the baby remain completely underwater until its head is deliberately brought to the surface, hence minimising the potential for the breathe reflex to be stimulated underwater. Both the Regular and Mini size birth pool in a boxpools are 26″ deep internally (28″ externally with a 2″ cushioned internal floor), deep enough for a safe birth for most women. The water can be within 3″ of the rim of the pool with the mother in it therefore the water depth will be 23″ (granted there will be some spills with this much water, so get the towels ready). Hired birth pools in the UK are generally 25-28″ deep externally, with floor padding reducing this internally and hence comparable to BPIAB.
