I used the Aquaborn single-use birth pool to birth my son on September 18th, 2009 and it was FAN-tastic. When we first got it, it was a *little* smelly, so we aired it out on the bed in the spare room for two days. When my labor began, I had no idea when I would need to get in, so I was able to inflate the tub while I was in early labor (super easy and fast) and we filled it when I started to feel strong contractions. The inflatable lid proved to almost work TOO well! We filled the tub half way with hot, hot water (with about an inch of cool water on the bottom) at least 14 hours before we needed it and when it came time for me to get in, we removed the lid expecting to need more hot water to top it off, and in fact it was still TOO hot! We filled the remainder with room temp water and it was perfect. (We had a lead-free hose connected to the washing machine valves). The tub was super strong (I could straddle the side of it with my full weight, which was 160 lbs with baby) and the handles were all put to good use. The sides are good and thick so that I could lean over and get rest comfortably in between contractions. The water level was also phenomenal as I felt really buoyant. I would think that if my midwife was short, she might have had a hard time reaching down and using her doppler during my contractions, but one could just under-inflate the top ring to make it more accessible. I spent about three hours total in the tub and about forty minutes before my boy was born, my husband joined me in the water (he's 6'3") and I was able to lean against his chest and push my legs into the other side with all of my might. I birthed a 9 lb baby and the Aquaborn tub was phenomenal. If I have another baby, I can guarantee it will be in water, and if it's still the best out there, then it will be in this very tub.

We had our son Campbell at home in the water July 19th. This was our second birth and it went much faster than the first. I spent the day wondering if my labor was serious enough to bring our baby. Then things picked up and my husband got the pool ready and I jumped in as our midwives arrived. It was a relief to be weightless and have the tub to lean on. I floated between "rushes" and used the pool to relax as much as possible. My friend Abbey was there with cold lavender-infused wash clothes on my forehead. Our baby was born in the water and it was wonderful to float with him on my chest looking into his eyes. The water made it possible for me to birth naturally. The benefits of water are enormous.

I gave birth to my son at home in the water 14mo ago. It was only a 2.5hr labor and I don't think I could have handled such a quick labor without the comfort of the water. This past Sun (July 26) I gave birth to my third child also at home in the water. This labor was only 1.5hr! The water again made the intense contracts more bearable.

I gave birth to my 3rd child in water. It was without a doubt my best birthing experience of the 3. The warm water felt great and made the pain of labor and birth manageable without any medications. My daughter was so alert when she was born and my recovery was instant. I would do it again and highly recommend natural water birth.

I birthed both of my daughters in water. It was a nice, relaxing feeling being in the water and made it easier to get through the uncomfortable stages of labor. sweet relief.