How do I maintain the temperature of my birth pool?

Ensuring your birth pool stays at the right temperature is one of the most frequently asked questions from our customers—and we understand why!

It’s essential for a comfortable and safe birthing experience for both you and your baby. Maintaining an optimal temperature can seem daunting, but with a few simple steps, you can easily achieve the ideal environment for your water birth.

Here are our top tips

 A sunny, warm space!

Setting up your birth pool in a sunny, warm area can naturally help maintain the water temperature for longer.  If you have a heat pump or a fireplace, these can also be great options for keeping the water warm.

However, be careful not to place the pool directly next to these heat sources, as this could lead to uneven heating or excessive temperature fluctuations.

Reduce heat loss

Reducing ventilation around your birth pool is crucial for preventing rapid heat loss.

Once you begin filling the pool with water, close any windows and doors in the room. This will help trap the warmth inside and ensure that your water stays at the right temperature for longer.

Cover the pool during filling

While the pool is filling up, covering it with a blanket or similar cover can significantly help retain heat.

Emergency (foil) blankets can easily be purchased from most dollar stores and are incredibly efficient at reducing heat loss.

Grab yourself a water thermometer

Ensuring that the water in your pool is around 37°C is key for comfort and safety.

Our high-quality water thermometers are a popular addition for many parents. These thermometers provide instant, accurate readings and are highly sensitive to temperature changes, helping you maintain the optimal water temperature throughout labour.

Top the pool up as and when needed

It’s important to monitor the water level and temperature as labour progresses.

If you have access to a continuous supply of hot water, you can top up the pool using a filling hose to maintain the desired temperature. If you don’t have a continuous hot water source, you can use warm water from your kettle or pans to gradually bring the temperature back to the ideal level.

You can get started early

If you’re eager to get started and want to begin filling the pool ahead of time, it’s a good idea to fill the pool to about half capacity with water at 40°C.

When you’re closer to the end of your labour, you can top off the pool with fresh water at around 37°C for the perfect final temperature when you’re ready to meet your baby.

These tips will help you maintain the right conditions for your birth pool but if you have any further questions or need additional support, feel free to reach out to us!