Advice about weight of birth pool please

[MrsLL2b]

I am hoping to have a home birth and have my 'birth pool in a box' ready but I have become very paranoid about the weight of it once filled with water.

We live in a top floor flat of a converted Victorian house and although it seems in good condition, I am concerned about the joists etc being able to take the weight of the pool.

We contacted the surveyor we used when purchasing our flat who thinks it should be ok but he would charge us ?140 to actually come out and have a look which is alot.

I just wondered if anyone lives in a similar type of property and used a pool, or has anyone actually ever heard of someone plummeting mid labour down into their neighbours below!

Thanks

[nancyse15]

I remember my midwife said something sensible to me on this matter. She said that a full pool is about the weight of 20 people. Would you be worried about your ceiling/floor if you had a party with 20 people all standing next to each other? Most ceilings should be able to deal with it. Good luck with your birth.

[Polly D]

Hello MrsLL2b - we had the large pool in a box filled with water, and 4.5 people in the room, in a top-floor flat of converted Victorian house. No probs at all, with the weight I mean.

Good luck!

[The Nappy Lady]

I think I read somewhere that it is better to put it to the side of the room, rather than in the middle, but am I making that up? I know they midwives need good access so can't be too tucked away of course.

Good luck - had my 2nd in a birth pool at home and it was lovely. xxx

[Vik]

We're in the top part of a Victorian house, had my little girl 3 weeks ago at home in the pool + 5 people with no probs at all.

We were paranoid too, esp as our house is not in the greatest nick, but all was lovely!

I've never heard of a pool dropping through a ceiling but completely understand your worry!

[MrsLL2b]

Thanks for the comments, feel more reassured.

I too had heard the corner of the room is better, access for midwives allowing and that the weight is equal to about 10average sized adults which we have had in our flat many times.

Hopefully if I do plummet through the floors I will survive to have a funny birth story!