Hi Eileen, In Wellington NZ we designed 3 low tech birth rooms based on
concepts from Italian architect Bianca Lepori. We have commercial spa baths
(without the jets) They were a trial for the new hospital which will be
built soon. Each room in the new delivery suite will have water immersion
facilities.From my experience as a midwife who attends women using water for
labour and birth, both in home and hospital I think that the water immersion
baths/pools should be deep enough to be up to the woman's breasts while she
is sitting or up to the middle (if not higher) of her back when she is
kneeling and they need to have enough room for her to move freely and allow
apartner/support person to get in. The baths/pools should be free standing
or have at least 3 free sides, I also think it is a great help to have a
shower hose over the bath as well,
  You could contact the team leader at Wellington Women's Hospital in
Wellington to ask about the baths going into the new Delivery suite
[log in to unmask] or the Director of Midwifery at National Womens
Hospital In Auckland [log in to unmask] - they have recently opened a new
unit with baths in each room
  Cheers, Robyn----- Original Message -----
  From: "Elaine Madden" <[log in to unmask]>
  To: <[log in to unmask]>
  Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 7:45 PM


  > thanks for your reply and yes I don't mind if u pass on the e-mail. I
have
  > the opportunity to listen to all advice before we choose the best bath
  > e
  >
  > -----Original Message-----
  > From: Cyd Welsh [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
  > Sent: 21 May 2004 20:36
  > To: [log in to unmask]
  > Subject:
  >
  >
  > Hi Elaine
  > Down here in little Wanganui, New Zealand, there are 2 birthing "spa
baths"
  > Our women labour and birth in them.
  > I am an Independent Midwife and use the pools for my clients, but the
Unit
  > Manager is Lenna Young. Do you want me to forward your email to her, I'm
not
  > sure if she is amember of this list.
  > Cyd Welsh
  > Wanganui
  > New Zealand
  > [log in to unmask]
  >
  > http://www.greyflyte.homestead.com
  > ----- Original Message -----
  > From: "Elaine Madden" <[log in to unmask]>
  > To: <[log in to unmask]>
  > Sent: Friday, May 21, 2004 11:12 PM
  >
  >
  > > can anyone advise please or comment on existing birthing pools in
their
  > > unit.
  > > we are working towards a midwifery led unit and hope to install a
birthing
  > > pool in each of 7 rooms
  > > we would like to consider user views and look of pool so women who
chose
  > not
  > > to labour in the water can still use the bath as well as providing the
  > > option of water labour
  > > one current suggestion is the elliptical pool as looks like ordinary
bath
  > &
  > > has good access I would really appreciate any views from someone who
may
  > > have this currently installed
  > > Elaine madden
  > >
  > > Practice Development Midwife
  > > Woman and Child Health
  > > Ulster Hospital
  > > Dundonald
  > > 028 90 484511 ext 3372
  > > bleep 356
  > >
  > >
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