Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s a list of FAQs that may come up for you when choosing water at your birth. If there’s something that you’d like to know that’s not on here, please feel free to contact us and have a chat. We’re more than happy to discuss your individual queries.
How can I book a Birth Afloat Birth Pool Kit?
I’m so glad you asked. When you’ve decided which Pool Kit is the one for you, you should book it as we occasionally book out. It’s a simple process. Go to our website page “Hire a Pool”. On there, you’ll find all the information you’ll need. Our Terms & Conditions, The Booking Slip and payment details to pay your booking fee/deposit, which secures your booking.
Once we receive your Booking Slip and your deposit, the Pool Kit is yours unless you cancel it before hand. You will receive a Booking Confirmation email.
Do I need to do anything after that?
If you’re picking up your Pool Kit, you’ll need to contact us the day before your hire period starts, so we can arrange a time for you to pick it up. So pop the date in your diary. If it’s being delivered to you, you’ll need to arrange to be home when it arrives. They are sent a day ahead of a courier’s usual delivery time estimate to ensure you get it on the day your hire period starts, so they occasionally may arrive a day earlier than that date.
If you can’t arrange someone to be home on those days, then please let us know a few days before your hire period start date so we can leave the appropriate instructions for the courier.
When do I pay the actual hire fee for my Pool Kit?
This needs to be received 1 week before your Pool Kit will be dispatched if you’re having it delivered to you. It can be dispatched up to 10 days before your hire period starts, depending on your location, so you’ll need to allow for the bank’s procession time which is usually a few days.
If you’re picking your Pool Kit, you can pay when you arrive to pick it up or it is due 1 week prior to that date.
Which Pool would suit my needs best?
Firstly it will depend on where you are birthing. If you’re birthing at home and live within an hour or so of Byron Shire or Sydney, then you have the choice of a Heated Wooden Pool or a Pool In A Box Inflatable Pool, both in two different sizes.
The Wooden Pools are for home births only and available for pick up or local delivery within the Byron Shire only at the cost of $60 each way.
This price does not include setting it up.
If you are birthing at home, birthing centre or hospital, an Inflatable Pool would be suitable for you.
The size you choose will depend on the space you have to set up your pool and how much hot water you can supply to them.
Which is the most popular?
For home births, the Heated Wooden Pools are definitely the most favoured because of the convenience of saving and heating the water, as you only need to fill it once.
For convenience of a take away Birth Pool, the inflatable pools are the best, as they come in a Kit that has everything packed up neatly for wherever you choose to birth. They fit in one seat space in a car or can be couriered anywhere. So easy.
When should I get my pool?
This is entirely up to you so you feel comfortable with when you’d like it set up and ready to go.
Most women choose from 10 days 2 weeks before their due date to have it set up and ready to go, but the date you request can be changed at anytime. We generally try to have your pool ready about 1 week before you’ve requested. This will depend on availability.
I suggest you leave ample time to set it up, especially if you’re using a Heated Wooden Pool, as they take a little more setting up.
If I don’t end up using my Pool, do I still need to pay for it?
Once you pick up your Pool Kit or it is dispatched to you, there is no refund on the hire cost whether you end up using it or not.
If I cancel my Pool Kit before it is dispatched or picked up, do I get my deposit back?
You will receive a refund less $30 which is retained as an administration fee.
When will I receive my deposit back?
Once your Pool Kit has been thoroughly checked and tested your will be refunded using the bank details your provide during the booking process, providing it is returned clean, dry, complete and undamaged.
If it requires any more than our standard cleaning procedure, a cleaning fee will charged and deducted from your deposit.
What are your bank details so I can pay you?
You’ll see them in the booking process and here they are below. We offer direct debit and Paypal. Please use your name as the reference on your payment.
Account Name: Birth Afloat
BSB No.: 722 744
Account No.: 100065655
Paypal: info@birthafloat.com
What if I need my pool longer than the 3 week hire period?
No problem. The Pool is yours until you don’t need it anymore. An additional daily cost will be applied and deducted from the deposit.
The Inflatable Pools are $15 per day and the Heated Wooden Pools are $20 per day.
Are your Pool Kits guaranteed to be sterile when received?
Yes, definitely. We take great pride in ensuring every Pool Kit is thoroughly checked tested, cleaned and sterilized in between every client, so you can be assured it is in perfect condition for your birth.
What if we accidentally damage or lose any components of the Pool Kit?
The value of the damage or missing components will be deducted from the deposit. We’ll discuss it with you beforehand if there’s a problem.
How would I transport the Wooden Pools if I were to pick it up?
There are 7 components to a Wooden Pool Kit that require more space than an Inflatable Pool Kit, which fits into one car seat space of any car.
The large Wooden Pool requires a wagon, ute, van or trailer. The sides are 1.5 metres X 60cm, so need a back seat put down to fit in most larger cars.
The small Wooden Pool requires less space and have fit into smaller vehicles and have fit into some sedans if the a back seat can go down.
The sides are 1.3 metres X 60cm
If you’re not sure it’s always best to check in with us first.
How do I get my Pool Kit
We deliver the Inflatable Pool Kits to anywhere in Australia. For a quote on how much it will cost to have it delivered and picked up from you, send us your address and we’ll give you a quote.
If you’re within driving distance of one of our branches, you’re welcome to pick up your Pool Kit.
Here’s our addresses;
5 Bobra Glen, Ocean Shores, NSW, 2483
153 Queen st, Concord West, NSW, 2138
Do you offer support around the Pool Kit to us during the hire period?
Yes, absolutely. We fully understand the importance of having water at your birth and we want it to go as smoothly as possible for you. If you have any questions or problems at any time while you have your Pool Kit, please pick up the phone and call us.
Maybe things are happening in a hurry and someone might need some support with setting up the Pool in time, I’m happy to talk them through it over the phone and calm rattled nerves if necessary.
Our beautiful Wooden Pools take a little more set up than the Inflatable Pools, but well worth the effort. Here are a few tips to make sure it all goes smoothly.
Firstly, read the instructions sheet clearly as it will explain how to set it up, use it and pack it up as easily and efficiently as possible.
It’s a good idea to set it up before labour sets in, so you can take your time and get it right.
Troubleshooting
Heated Wooden Pool:
Heating Unit: Our heating unit is a big drain on any house. Each element is 240 bolts and 2400 watts and must not be put through a power board or double adapter.
Should they trip the electricity on your house, this is a safety measure and you may need to turn off some appliances and run one element from a different circuit in the house. Not necessarily just a different socket. Usually the other side of the house will be on another circuit.
If using an extension lead, make sure it is a good quality one with no faults.
Draining your Pool:
Our water powered siphon systems are very effective when used properly. Once the green hose is attached to the water source, the pump submerged and the end of the blue corrugated hose is at the drainage point, turn the tap on with enough pressure to start the siphon. If it doesn’t start, increase the pressure of the water going through it, as counter productive as that may seem. Ensure both the green hose and blue hose are connected properly and there is no air escaping around the white collar.