Click below to see a pictorial history of Active Birth Pools, testimonials from clients and associates and a comprehensive list of the hospitals that we have supplied over the past 38 years.
Author: K.D.Brainin
Active Birth Pools Information Hub
Welcome to the Active Birth Pools Information Hub
Since 1987 we have been setting the global standard in water birth pool design and manufacturing.
Our water birth pools have supported millions of women through calmer, more natural labours, and are now a trusted feature in leading maternity units around the world.
We’ve achieved this by staying true to our purpose: creating the safest, most comfortable, and most effective water birth pools available—through evidence-based design, midwife-led insight, and a relentless focus on safety, value and performance.
Every birth pool we make is handcrafted to order in England by skilled artisans using advanced manufacturing methods and specialised materials developed specifically for us.
The result?
A custom-made water birth pool that supports women through every stage of labour, is built to last for decades, and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
This Information Hub brings together everything we’ve learned over nearly four decades—expert guidance, practical resources, and deep insights to help you make informed decisions about water birth pool design, installation, use and care.
Whether you’re a midwife, planner or facilities manager we’re here to help you create the ideal water birth facility.
Please contact us if you have any queries or would like a quote.
Intelligently designed to safely fulfil the needs of mothers and midwives
Designed to increase the possibility of physiological labour and natural birth
If you’re looking for a water birth pool we’re uniquely qualified to be of service
Designed to optimise safety, negate risk and deliver safer birthing environments
All women no matter what their shape or size will find it exceptionally easy to get into our pools
Active Birth Pools give midwives safe, practical options for dealing with emergencies
Mothers have a greater probability of experiencing a natural active birth
The keyword that defines our approach to design is ‘Active’.
If we look up the definition of ‘Active Birth’ we get, “Childbirth during which the mother is encouraged to move around freely and assume any position which feels comfortable”.
Founder and Director Keith Brainin spent 17 years as co-director of the Active Birth Centre in London with world famous author, educator and childbirth activist Janet Balaskas where he met water birth pioneer Michel Odent, Sheila Kitzinger and many other midwives and childbirth experts.
The knowledge and understanding gained from this formative experience has enabled us to design water birth pools that uniquely fulfil the needs of labouring women enabling them to have a better experience of labour and birth.
Freedom of movement combined with the relaxing effects of warm water and release of oxytocin significantly increases the possibility of a physiological labour and natural active birth.
We’ve spent decades observing the way that mothers move in our pools and considered how to best serve their needs.
Our passion for excellence has led us to study ergonomic design theory and to work closely with mothers, midwives, health and safety and manual handling experts.
Active Birth Pools provide optimum support for mothers in the range of upright positions natural to labour and birth.
They can hold onto the recessed handgrips or use the wrap around, bullnose-shape rim for support as the they move around the pool to explore and find the most beneficial upright positions.
Features such as the Labour Support Seat, Safety Seat and Lumbar Support create additional possibilities for mothers to explore and find the most comfortable and beneficial positions.
The design of our pools allows partners to sit in comfort and get really close to the mother.
The intimacy that couples experience with our pools is unique. No other pools allow partners to be so close without actually getting in the water.
The support thats provided both physically and emotionally has many benefits, and is key to helping mothers cope with pain and progress to experiencing physiological labour and natural birth.
Mothers simply tell us that, ‘they love our pools’.
They are actively encouraged to move freely and naturally.
They instinctively interact with the pool and find comfort and support wherever they are.
They benefit from complete freedom of movement and unparalleled comfort and therefore have greater probability of experiencing a physiological labour and having a natural active birth.
But, this is not the case with most water birth pools as renown author and educator Sheila Kitzinger OBE wrote in ‘The clock, the bed, the chair’…
“Even a recent innovation, the birth pool, does not always permit free movement.
In theory, a pool allows a woman, supported by water, to move unencumbered.
Or so it might be thought.
Though published research often refers to mobility as an advantage of being in a pool, some pools are elaborate constructions with seats, handgrips and foot-rests, and movement in them is restricted.”
The pool dictates the position the mother should be in by placing her in a semi-recumbent posture with hand holds and foot rests to fix the arms and legs.
Mothers are positioned in the classic lying back with legs wide-open position but happen to be immersed in water.
The seats in these water birth pools are typically tilted backwards.
The mother is immobilised in a position with her pelvis tilted upwards resulting in her pelvic outlet being up to 30% smaller.
This puts pressure on the sacrum which flexes upward, into a curved position that restricts the diameter of the pelvic outlet inhibiting the baby’s descent.
The birth canal is placed in an “uphill” orientation, forcing the mother to push upward against gravity to give birth to her baby.
These seats and moulded fittings greatly reduce the space the mother has to move in and restricts her ability to use the positions most beneficial.
The benefits of labouring in water are largely negated.
The possibility of a physiological labour and natural birth is greatly reduced.”
Active Birth Pools Wins Prestigious Design MasterPrize Award
We are pleased to announce that the Active II/360 Water Birth Pool with bespoke Water Column has just been announced as a winner in the prestigious Design MasterPrize Award.
Judges said that,
“The Active II/360 was a sophisticated solution tailored for healthcare facilities striving to provide exemplary maternity care.
This advanced combination integrates a state-of-the-art water birth pool with a functional and stylish water column, epitomising the latest in design innovation and material technology for the maternity care sector.
The focus has been on creating a solution that offers superior functionality, safety, and comfort, while also addressing the practical needs of both healthcare providers and mothers.”
The Design Masterprize (DMP) stands as a pinnacle of design achievement, committed to promoting global excellence in the field.
This prestigious international contest, akin to its sister organization, the Architecture Masterprize (AMP) architecture awards, emphasizes the influential role of design in a variety of sectors, including product, communication, and graphic design.
Active Birth Pools: Videos
The combination of evidence based, user-centred, ergonomic design, highly specialised materials and bespoke manufacturing result in water birth pools that are in a class of their own.
Active Birth Pools were the subject of a study conducted by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors, the recipient of the Building Better Healthcare Award, the European Design Award and the Design Master Prize Award.
Water birth pools specially designed to give midwives superior safety, comfort and support
When it comes to choosing a water birth pool there are many important factors that need to be considered.
Above all is the safety, comfort and well-being of midwives.
Though factors such as health & safety, manual handling, long-term value, cost, build-quality, sustainability, hygiene and over-all performance are important midwives safety and well-being is by far the most critical.
Because midwives work with the pools on an ongoing basis their needs must be considered and intelligently designed for.
Designed with midwives’ comfort, safety and well-being firmly in mind.
The ergonomic design ensures midwives can maintain proper posture, reducing physical strains and improving overall results and job satisfaction.
The basis for our unique approach stems from ground-breaking work we did in 1995 with ergonomist Sue Hignet published in the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors.
This led to significant improvements in design that resulted in water birth pools that are safer, more comfortable and easy-to-use.
The key innovation that led to a paradigm shift in midwives comfort was to develop a design with a concave (rather than a vertical surround).
This allowed midwives to sit with their legs under the rim, as if they were sitting at a desk.
To accommodate the highly sculpted outer panels of our pools we incorporated extra-wide rims (up to 250mm) with a distinctive rounded edge.
This quantum leap forward in design provides many important benefits to mothers and midwives:
- Midwives are much more comfortable as they can fully rest their forearms across the rim
- Mothers have simple, safe options to get in and out of the pool without climbing up steps
- Emergency evacuations are facilitated easily with or without a portable hoist
- Mothers use the rim to relax on and for support in upright positions
- Hand grips are set into the rim rather than being surface mounted
- Mothers grab onto the bull nose shaped rim for support from any where in the pool
“I wanted to take a moment to express my admiration for the brilliant design of your water birth pool. I truly admire how your design considers both midwife and mother-friendly features, making it unique and practical.” Parisa Hadavi Bavili – Midwife, Anatomist, and Innovator in Healthcare
In this photo you see how comfortable and well supported the midwife is, and how this enables her to be fully present to safely fulfil the obligations of her job.
She is sitting naturally, grounded in comfort with her legs tucked well under the pool and her arms resting gently on the extra-wide rim.
Note: the rim is not obstructed with taps or fittings enabling midwives to move easily around the pool.
By comparison:
Looking at the majority of other water birth pools on the market you see a very different picture.
The solid, vertical surround of the pool forms an obstacle between mother and midwife making it impossible for midwives to sit in comfort and actually puts them at risk.
In addition, the narrow rim is not comfortable for leaning on as pressure is concentrated in a small area of the forearm.
Midwives have to splay their feet and legs apart and bend forward to get close to the mother.
Not only is this very uncomfortable but, the strain can lead to back ache, tension in the neck and shoulders and time off work.
As a result the ability of midwives to do their jobs is compromised, results and job satisfaction are diminished.
Form is based on function and design is pared down to the essence of aesthetic utility.
There is a reason for every shape, every curve and every form.
As Steve Jobs of Apple said,
“It takes a lot of hard work to make something simple, to truly understand the underlying challenges and come up with elegant solutions.”
Intelligently designed to safely fulfil the needs of mothers and midwives
If you’re looking for a water birth pool we’re uniquely qualified to be of service
Improving Birthing Pool Design: Case Study 18 – Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors
We’re uniquely qualified to be of service
We’ve been dedicated to designing and supplying water birth pools since 1987.
We developed the world’s first specially designed water birth pools and have gone on to supply hundreds of hospitals world-wide,
Over this time we have gained a unique understanding and ability to design and supply water birth pools of exceptional quality that outperform all others in every way.
We helped pioneer the use of water for labour and birth by providing the pools that made this revolution in maternity care possible.
We’ve achieved success by caring about every detail, keeping things simple and focusing on our core principles of Safety, Value and Performance.
A passion for excellence and commitment to supporting midwives and helping mothers have a better experience of labour and birth defines our approach.
The combination of user-tested ergonomic design, superior materials and advanced manufacturing methods make Active Birth Pools the No.1 choice world-wide.
Our unrivalled knowledge and wealth of experience enable us to provide water birth pools that minimise risk, optimise results and maximise value.
“The new pool has been specially designed to be easily accessible, with improved seating and design so women can sit on the side or lean over and adapt different positions during labour. It also features LED lights which adds to the ambiance of the birthing room, helping to create a more relaxed and comfortable environment.”
Sophie Moss Midwife Royal Stoke and County Hospital
Mothers and midwives love our water birth pools
- Mothers benefit from complete freedom of movement and unparalleled comfort and support .
- Midwives report better results, and say that our pools are fabulous and a pleasure to use.
- Buyers like the fact that they’re the safest on the market, built to last for decades and guaranteed for life.
Active Birth Pools are fabricated from Ficore® composite, a proprietary material with unique qualities, making them more durable, practical, and safer compared to other birth pools on the market.
Our water birth pools exhibit superior heat retention, reducing heat loss to only 0.7 degrees per hour, which is highly beneficial during prolonged labor.
Additionally, the material is resistant to bacteria, cleaning agents, and harsh disinfectants, ensuring high standards of hygiene and safety.
Active Birth Pools’ design minimises the risk of injuries with features like recessed hand grips, minimal metal work and less slippery surfaces.
The one-piece construction of Ficore® enhances water safety and hygiene by preventing bacteria growth environments.
Also, seamless construction and smooth surfaces eliminate “dirt traps” and facilitate more effective cleaning and maintenance.
We have integrated modern features like multi-color LED lighting and Bluetooth sound systems in our water birth pools.
These features create a conducive atmosphere for physiological labor and natural birth, enhancing the overall birthing experience.
A significant advantage of our water birth pools is their durability and sustainability.
Active Birth Pools made from Ficore® composite have a life expectancy exceeding 25 years and are backed by an industry leading life-time guarantee.
This makes our pools a more sustainable option compared to other water birth pools with shorter lifespans.
Active Birth Pools stands as a prime choice for midwives and hospitals due to our dedication to quality, safety, and innovation.
But, please don’t take our word for it.
Click below to find out what our clients have to say and gain an understanding of the scope our achievement over the past 38 years.
Superior Material = Superior Safety, Value and Performance
The choice of material is fundamental to the success of a water birth pool, and at Active Birth Pools, we have chosen to fabricate our pools using Ficore® composite.
This proprietary material, developed to address the limitations of traditional materials like fibreglass and acrylic, offers extraordinary properties that enhance the performance, safety, and value of our water birth pools.
Ficore composite is a blend of eight different elements that are chemically fused during manufacturing and then heat-cured at a high temperature.
This process creates a material that is not only light in weight but incredibly strong in performance.
A cross section of FICORE® composite
Active Birth Pools are fabricated from a highly specialised material called Ficore® composite that has many advantages when compared to fibreglass or acrylic:
- Extra-ordinary long-term life cycle value and sustainability
- Highly polished surface is less slippery, more tactile and warm to the touch
- Superior heat retention (less then .7 degree per hour heat loss)
- Seamless one-piece construction easier to clean and more resistant to bacteria
- Improved hygiene, water safety and infection control
- Allows us to produce highly sculpted forms with more sharply defined details
- Superior strength and durability
- More resistant to damage and easily repaired like new if need be
One of the key benefits of Ficore is its superior heat retention.
Due to Ficore’s high insulation factor and double-wall construction Active Birth Pools maintain water temperature up to 7 times longer.
This ensures a more comfortable experience for the mother, as the water remains warm for a longer period without the need for frequent reheating, making the process more energy-efficient.
You’ll notice a significant difference in the surface temperature between Ficore and the other materials.
Ficore is warmer due to the fact that it is composite resin that is much denser than acrylic and fibreglass.
In terms of strength and durability, Ficore far outperforms fibreglass and acrylic.
It is 50% harder, providing a much higher degree of structural integrity.
Pools made from Ficore do not flex, buckle, bow, or change shape under pressure, ensuring they can withstand heavy use in demanding environments like hospitals.
This durability is crucial when considering the need for pools to endure frequent use and disinfection with caustic chemicals.
Another essential feature of Ficore composite is its slip-resistant surface.
The material has an incredibly high adhesion factor, which greatly reduces the risk of slipping.
This is particularly important in a water birth setting, where safety for both the mother and healthcare professionals is paramount.
The tactile nature of Ficore, combined with its warmth to the touch, makes the pools more physically appealing and helps mothers feel more at ease during labour.
Hygiene is a critical factor in any birthing environment, and Ficore’s non-porous surface ensures that it is highly resistant to bacteria.
The smooth, seamless surface is easy to clean, with no crevices for bacteria to hide, thus helping to prevent infections.
Additionally, Ficore’s ability to withstand continuous exposure to heat and thermal shock from alternating hot and cold water adds to its suitability for use in birthing pools.
Ficore is more impervious to damage than other bath materials.
However, if it is damaged, it can be completely repaired as new – unlike many alternative materials.
Ficore is able to withstand both continuous heat or hot water and thermal shock of alternating hot and cold water.
An Active Birth Pool manufactured in Ficore meets or exceeds all relevant regulations and will withstand the rigours of heavy hospital use and disinfection with caustic chemicals.
Water birth pools made from Ficore composite offer a range of benefits that far surpass those made from traditional materials like fibreglass or acrylic.
Ficore provides superior heat retention, enhanced durability, exceptional hygiene standards, and improved safety through its slip-resistant and tactile surface.
These qualities make Active Birth Pools the ideal choice for birthing environments, offering a safer, more comfortable, and hygienic option for water births
Ficore® composite data and specification
Designed to optimise safety, negate risk and deliver safer birthing environments
Winner – Building Better Healthcare Awards
At the ‘Building Better Healthcare’ awards ceremony the Active Birth Pool was highly commended in the award for best internal building product.
In their comments the judges praised the quality of our design and manufacturing process and went on to say that they found the Active Birth Pool very appealing.
All aspects of design, engineering and manufacture were focused on develop a water birth pool of unparalleled beauty, quality, functionality and durability that is backed by an extraordinary life-time year guarantee.
Foremost consideration was given to how mothers and midwives relate to and interact with the pool employing ergonomic principles to design for the interaction and dynamic at play.
Mothers have the space to move freely and comfortably and are supported in the postures natural to a physiological labour and birth.
The “signature” extra-wide rims with broad “bull-nosed” shaped edges flowing into the skirting panel and down to the floor are an important feature of the Active Birth Pool that sets it apart.
The wide flat rim allows mothers to lean forward, resting on their forearms in comfort – one of the most natural and effective positions during labour.
It provides secure, safe, stable support for women to enter and leave the pool and for midwives and partners to lean or rest on while attending the mother.
The handrails, which are set into the profile of the rim, provide perfect support for the mother in upright positions.
The critical issue of emergency evacuation has been resolved by incorporating features into the pool to give midwives several options for evacuating the mother that are in compliance with Health & Safety and Manual Handling regulations.
The Labour Support and Safety Seats are distinguishing features of the Active Birth Pool
1) This physiologically designed labour support seat has proven to help the mother’s pelvis and birth canal open in preparation for a natural, physiological birth.
2) The distinctive rim level safety seat provides a wide comfortable platform for the mother to lean on, a safe means for emergency evacuation and is ideal for midwives to monitor the mother without her having to stand up or leave the pool.
The unique seamless one-piece construction incorporates a deeply sculpted concave skirting panel to allow midwives to work in comfort with their legs well under the pool.
The new Active Birth Pool is fabricated in Ficore® composite, a proprietary material that was specially developed for baths and designed to negate the risk of problems associated with other materials.
Ficore is 50% harder than acrylic and fibreglass (which other birth pools are made from) and highly resistant to chemicals.
Despite the rigidity and hardness of the surface it is extremely smooth, tactile and warm to the touch.
Its high insulation factor enables the Active Birth Pool to maintain its temperature up to six times longer than standard acrylic or fibreglass birth pools.
To help mothers control, define and personalise the delivery room, the Active Birth Pool is equipped with multi-colour chromotherapy LED lighting and integral bluetooth sound.
Our ingenious Integral Bluetooth Sound System allows the mother to wirelessly connect her phone and listen to the music of her choice.
Two integral speakers turn the birth pool into a highly refined audio loudspeaker.
When you examine the new Active Birth Pool you’ll immediately notice the superior finish and signature design elements.
Look a little closer and the quality of the components such as the drainage system, the support structure that underpins the pool, the fittings on the access panel, the lighting system, handrails and metal work becomes apparent.
If you are looking for a water birth pool to install in a maternity unit the incomparable new Active Birth Pool should be your first choice.
Handmade and custom built to order by a team who together have over 95 years experience in the design and production of high-end baths the new Active Birth Pool will provide decades of service and be an invaluable aid to mothers who want to have a natural birth.
The Active Birth Pool conforms to regulations issued by the Department of Health and the guidelines set forth in the Water Birth Safety Initiative.
Active Birth Pools Wins Prestigious Design MasterPrize Award
Note: this article taken from “Building Better Healthcare” magazine – November 2015
Water Birth Safety Hub
Why Active Birth Pools Are the Safest on the Market
Active Birth Pools has been at the forefront of water birth pool design and manufacturing since 1987, consistently prioritising safety, comfort, and performance.
Through meticulous design, superior materials, and adherence to stringent health regulations, Active Birth Pools offers products that stand out in the market for their unparalleled safety features.
1. Innovative Design Prioritising Safety
- Seamless Construction: Each pool is crafted with a seamless, one-piece construction, eliminating joints or seams where bacteria could accumulate, thereby enhancing hygiene and reducing infection risks.
- Integrated Hand Grips: Unlike surface-mounted alternatives, the hand grips are bonded directly into the pool’s structure, preventing moisture penetration and bacterial growth.
- Extra-Wide Rim and Single Step Entry: The design includes an extra-wide rim and a single step, facilitating easy and safe entry and exit for mothers of all shapes and sizes, minimising manual handling risks for midwives.
2. Superior Material: Ficore® Composite
- Enhanced Durability: Ficore® is 50% harder than standard materials like fibreglass or acrylic, ensuring the pools do not flex or buckle under pressure, which is crucial for high-usage environments.
- Thermal Efficiency: The material’s high insulation properties result in minimal heat loss, maintaining water temperature up to seven times longer than other materials, enhancing comfort and reducing the need for frequent reheating.
- Slip Resistance: Ficore® offers a high adhesion factor, significantly reducing the risk of slipping, thereby ensuring safety for both mothers and healthcare professionals.
3. Compliance with Health and Safety Standards
- Avoidance of High-Risk Features: Active Birth Pools consciously excludes components like overflow drains, internal water inlets, handheld showers, and recirculating systems, all of which are known to harbour bacteria and pose infection risks.
- Adherence to Water Regulations: The pools are designed in compliance with The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, ensuring they meet the UK’s stringent Fluid Category 5 water risk standards.
4. Simplified Cleaning and Maintenance
- Chemical Resilience: The extra-hard surface of Ficore® withstands rigorous cleaning protocols, including disinfection with high-concentration hypochlorite solutions, without compromising the material’s integrity.
- Efficient Drainage System: The pools are equipped with purpose-designed drainage systems that optimise hygiene by preventing water stagnation and facilitating thorough cleaning.
5. Recognition and Endorsements
- Industry Awards: Active Birth Pools has been honoured with accolades such as the Building Better Healthcare Award and the European Design Award, underscoring the company’s commitment to excellence in design and safety.
- Professional Testimonials: Esteemed professionals, including Dr. Yehudi Gordon and Dr. Lucia Rocca-Ihenacho, have commended the pools for their technical perfection, ease of use, and contribution to positive birthing experiences.
Active Birth Pools exemplifies a harmonious blend of innovative design, superior materials, and strict compliance with health and safety regulations.
Designed to optimise safety, negate risk and deliver safer birthing environments
Health and Safety risks you need to be aware of before buying a water birth pool
This unique feature makes our water birth pools safer and more user-friendly!
All women no matter what their shape or size will find it exceptionally easy to get into our pools
Active Birth Pools give midwives safe, practical options for dealing with emergencies
Health and Safety Advisory: WARNING Swan Neck Taps Present a Significant Infection Control Risk
Designed to optimise safety, negate risk and deliver safer birthing environments
When it comes to the creation and care of water birth facilities nothing is more important then Health and Safety.
Micro-organisms breed freely in warm moist environments and must be prevented from propagating.
The potential for water birth pools to be both a habitat and a delivery medium for harmful bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Legionella is well known.
We completely understand this and engineered our water birth pools to optimise safety, negate risk and deliver safer birthing environments.
Seamless one-piece construction in Ficore combined with the minimum of fittings result in water birth pools of unparalleled hygiene and water safety.
Active Birth Pools are fabricated from proprietary material with unique qualities called Ficore® composite.
Ficore has much higher degree of strength, durability and resistance to bacteria when compared to fibreglass or acrylic.
Seamless, one-piece construction in Ficore® improves hygiene by denying bacteria the environment to grow.
The ultra-hard surface makes our water birth pools easier to clean and more resistant to bacteria.
With Health Department Regulations as a guideline we have utilised intelligent design and a range of innovations to negate risk and maximise water safety.
In addition to the advantages that Ficore give our pools from a material perspective we need to look at the advantages it provides from an engineering and manufacturing perspective.
Ficore’s unique properties allow us to design our pools with flowing, organic forms that improve hygiene by facilitating more effective cleaning.
The super smooth finish and flowing contours optimise drainage and eliminate “dirt traps”.
Hand grips
Our stainless steel hand grips, supplied by renown brassware manufacturer Samuel Heath are bonded directly into the pool
They are not surface mounted like on other birthing pools.
The bar is solidly sealed into the fabric of the pool with Ficore.
There are no gaps – there is no movement.
This make it impossible for moisture penetrate and for bacteria to breed.
Drainage System
Our drainage is purpose designed and manufactured to the highest standards.
It has been a subject of interest of numerous investigations by infection control specialists, all of them who came back to use to give their approval.
The waste sits in a recess and is double sealed in with silicone for a water tight, bacteria resistant seal.
The stainless steel fittings are made from solid brass and won’t be damaged from use of of chlorides and other disinfectants.
The plug can be taken out and soaked in hypochlorite in between births.
The rim mounted control wheel can be easily removed for cleaning.
Multi-Colour LED Underwater Lighting
The internal light fitting fits flush to the sidewall, has a stainless steel bezel and is sealed in with silicone.
Due to the fact that the fittings are water tights and vertically mounted water cannot penetrate or build up.
The control switch on the rim is is also water tight and fully sealed.
Taps and Showers
We do not supply taps but recommend 3/4″ thermostatic bath or bath/shower mixers like the Rada T3.
Taps are never mounted on the rim but on the wall or water column as shown above.
Spouts should be 25cm above the rim to prevent contact from pool water and to protect the mother from hitting her head.
Handheld showers are very useful for cleaning the pool but must be detachable so they can be removed while the pool is in use.
Freestanding water birth pools are becoming increasingly popular.
For wall mounted installations the thermostatic taps, spout, handheld shower and grab rail are fixed to an IPS Panel in accordance with health department regulations.
For freestanding birthing pools a solution needed to be found.
To solve this problem we developed the Water Column – a bespoke design concept that separates the plumbing from the pool to optimise hygiene and water safety and provide crucial support for mothers and midwives.
It’s highly utilitarian, sleek ergonomic design complements the look and usability of our pools.
Health and Safety risks you need to be aware of before buying a water birth pool
Images, plans and data sheets
We suggest you choose the largest pool that comfortably fits in your room being sure to leave plenty of room around the pool – at least 80cm on the sides and 200cm in front.
We offer wall mounted and freestanding versions of our water birth pools. Wall mounted pools save space and are less expensive to install.
Freestanding pools allow 360 degrees of movement around the pool. For freestanding pools we offer a bespoke Water Column to accommodate the plumbing and fittings.
CAD and 3D modelling plans are available upon request.
Active II Water Birth Pool – Data Sheet
Place your cursor on the model below to move the image around.
Active 360 Water Birth Pool – Data Sheet
Venus II Water Birth Pool – Data Sheet
Venus 360 Water Birth Pool – Data Sheet
Princess II Water Birth Pool – Data Sheet
Princess 360 Water Birth Pool – Data Sheet
Water Column – Data Sheet
Please note – the water column is supplied without plumbing or fittings – shown Rada T3 Bath/Shower Mixer and Grohe hand held shower.
Would you like to see how our water birth
pools will look in your delivery room?
Simply click on this link with your phone or tablet.
Catalogue, Testimonials and Reports
Active Birth Pools, established in 1987, has a rich history of pioneering the development of specially designed hospital grade water birth pools.
With a focus on safety, value, and performance, Active Birth Pools has become the leading choice for midwives and hospitals worldwide.
Freedom of Movement video hits 12,000,000 views on YouTube!
This short video shows that in our water birth pools mothers have room to move freely in the postures natural to labour and birth.
How they instinctively relate to the pool and move naturally to find the most comfortable and beneficial positions.
Freedom of movement combined with the relaxing effects of warm water enhance the release of oxytocin which significantly increases the likelihood for mothers to experience physiological labour and natural birth.
Recent innovations make our water birth pools safer and more user-friendly
If you look at the back rim of our new range of water birth pools you’ll notice a “keyhole” shaped channel that runs down to the floor of the pool.
The “water channel” is an innovation in water birth pool design unique to Active Birth Pools.
We trialled it when we designed the Princess Pool in 2014 and we’re so pleased with the result that we gradually incorporated it into our other pools as well.
The water channel has two import functions:
- It protects mothers by preventing them from hitting their heads on the spout
- It opens up the inside of the pool to 360 degrees of unobstructed movement
We have always thought that there is a unacceptable risk of mothers hitting their heads on the spout (the risk of this happening is multiplied exponentially with rim mounted taps).
The thought of this happening is abhorrent to us so we decided to something about it.
With the taps mounted on the wall 25cm above the rim and spout the centred above the water channel it is virtually impossible for mothers to hit their head on it.
This is clearly illustrated in the photo below.
With the water channel in place we redesigned the back half of the pool to give mothers greater freedom of movement.
Mothers are now able to the utilise the full internal circumference the pool to explore a greater range of positions.
They can actually lean against the back end of the pool without fear of hitting their head and use the recessed handgrips or wrap around bull-nosed shaped rim to grab onto for support.
The pools have been redesigned to make midwives more comfortable and give them greater access around the perimeter of the pool.
The flange (where the pool meets the wall) has been reduced to 50cm and the curves around the back section broadened.
This not only makes the pool more sensuous and appealing from both a psychological and aesthetic perspective but more utilitarian.
Midwives can now get round the back of the pool to a much greater extent and sit in comfort with their legs underneath the extra wide rim.
All in all we feel that this simple innovation has been a game changer that makes our water birth pools safer and more user-friendly.
Intelligently designed to safely fulfil the needs of mothers and midwives
If you’re looking for a water birth pool we are uniquely qualified to be of service
First Prize Winner – European Design Awards
Judges at the prestigious European Design Awards awarded first prize to the Active II/360 Water Birth Pool in the Healthcare: Safety Design Category.
European Product Design Award (ePDA) is a cutting-edge global event dedicated to elevating and promoting the art of Product Design.
The European Product Design Award™ recognises the efforts of talented international product designers who aim to improve our daily lives with their practical, well-thought-out creations.
Introducing the Active II/360 Water Birth Pool with
Bespoke Water Column: A Pinnacle of Maternity Care
Active Birth Pools offers the Active II/360 Water Birth Pool with Bespoke Water Column, a sophisticated solution tailored for healthcare facilities striving to provide exemplary maternity care.
This advanced combination integrates a state-of-the-art water birth pool with a functional and stylish water column, epitomizing the latest in design innovation and material technology for the maternity care sector.
Advanced Development for Modern Healthcare Needs
The Active II/360 Water Birth Pool, a product of Active Birth Pools, is designed to meet the evolving demands of contemporary maternity care.
Paired with the Bespoke Water Column, this system is the result of extensive research and collaboration with healthcare professionals.
The focus has been on creating a solution that offers superior functionality, safety, and comfort, while also addressing the practical needs of both healthcare providers and mothers.
Ergonomic Design for Enhanced Experience
The Active II/360 Water Birth Pool is designed with an emphasis on ergonomic excellence and spatial efficiency.
The pool’s keyhole shape is not only visually appealing but also provides functional benefits, supporting a variety of birthing positions and movements.
The pool includes recessed hand grips and a bull-nose shaped rim for added support and safety.
The Bespoke Water Column is seamlessly integrated, offering an elegant solution for necessary plumbing and fixtures, thus enhancing the pool’s utility and aesthetic.
Superior Material Quality
Constructed from Ficore®, a proprietary composite material exclusive to Active Birth Pools, the Active II/360 offers exceptional durability, hygiene, and safety.
The material’s highly polished, ultra-smooth surface is less slippery, crucial for ensuring safety.
The Water Column, made from the same quality material, complements the pool’s design and maintains the high hygiene standards required in healthcare environments.
User-Centric Features
The Active II/360 Water Birth Pool with the Water Column includes a labour support seat, facilitating optimal birthing positioning and comfort for the mother and a rim-level safety seat for monitoring and emergency evacuations.
The pool’s design enables free movement, which is essential for the effective use of water immersion during labour.
The Water Column adds functionality as a stable support structure and a practical utility platform.
Integrated Technological Enhancements
The pool is equipped with Multi-Colour LED Lighting and Bluetooth Sound systems, enabling the creation of a personalized and soothing environment.
These features are integral in establishing a supportive atmosphere that is conducive to natural childbirth.
Sustainability and Economic Benefits
The durable design of the Active II/360 Water Birth Pool with Bespoke Water Column makes it a sustainable and economically sound choice for healthcare facilities.
Its long-term performance and reduced replacement requirements make it an efficient investment, aligning with the economic and environmental goals of modern healthcare institutions.
Global Adoption and Acclaim
The Active II/360 Water Birth Pool with Bespoke Water Column has been recognized globally for its innovative approach to maternity care.
Its adoption by healthcare facilities worldwide is a testament to its effectiveness, reliability, and commitment to advancing water birth practices.
In conclusion, the Active II/360 Water Birth Pool with Bespoke Water Column by Active Birth Pools represents a harmonious blend of advanced design, superior material technology, and thoughtful integration of user-centric features.
It stands as a strategic and innovative choice for healthcare facilities looking to provide a superior maternity care experience, offering comfort, safety, and efficiency in a comprehensive and elegant package.
Active II/360 Water Birth Pool – Data Sheet
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To see how the Active II/360 Water Birth Pool would look in your
delivery room click on the banner below with your phone or tablet.
The keyword that defines our design ethos is Active
The keyword that defines our approach to design is ‘Active’.
If we look up the definition of ‘Active Birth’ we get, “Childbirth during which the mother is encouraged to move around freely and assume any position which feels comfortable”.
Active Birth Pools provide mothers with the space and depth to move freely in the postures natural to labour and birth.
As she moves, she intuitively discovers features that provide support and make her more comfortable.
Design is based upon the dynamics of mothers and midwives as they interact with the pool and each other.
Form is based on function and pared down to the essence of aesthetic utility.
There is a reason for every shape, every curve and every form.
Our water birth pools encourage mothers to move freely and naturally.
They instinctively interact with the pool and find comfort and support wherever they are.
Freedom of movement combined with the relaxing effects of warm water and release of oxytocin significantly increases the possibility of physiological labour and birth.
We are pioneers, innovators and trend setters.
Our water birth pools have continuously evolved over the past 35 years.
We’re able to achieve our latest designs because of the highly specialised material we use.
Ficore, a composite resin with unique properties enables us to create incredibly curvaceous pools that mothers and midwives find exceptionally comfortable, practical and easy to use.
In mid-90’s we met with a design specialist to discuss ways our water birth pools could be improved to better serve the needs of mothers and midwives.
This lead to the ground-breaking innovations in birth pool design that have culminated in todays range of award winning water birth pools.
Below a copy of article that appeared in the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors charting the paradigm shift in birth pool design that occurred in the mid-90’s:
The single most important factor you need to consider when buying a water birth pool
All women no matter what their shape or size find it exceptionally easy to get into our pools
The simple act of getting into the pool is one of the most misunderstood aspects relating to the use water birth pools.
We’ve considered this deeply over the past 37 years and have designed water birth pools that are internationally regarded as the safest on the market.
The combination of the extra-wide rim and single step are a game changer that make Active Birth Pools safer and easier for mothers to get in and out of.
Mothers are grounded and have three points of contact at all times.
The distinctive extra-wide (15cm-20cm) rim is easy for mothers to sit on while they make the transition from land to water.
With support from her midwife mothers simply step onto the sturdy step unit turn and sit on the big, wide, comfortable rim.
They then gently swivel on the rim and into the pool – simple and safe!
There is no climbing – mothers are grounded at all times and safeguarded from risk.
The single step helps makes it even easier for mothers to get in the pool by giving them height advantage in relation to the pool .
All women no matter what their shape or size will find it exceptionally easy to get into our pools.
Mothers don’t even think about it – they move instinctively and naturally lower themselves into the water.
Midwives are safeguarded from the risk associated with physically supporting mothers.
To put this in perspective:
The average height of our pools is 75cm – about the same height as a desk or dining table.
Our 15cm high single step makes the height of the pool 60cm – the same height as an ordinary bathtub.
Warning: Risks associated with Multi-Step Units
There is a wide-spread misunderstanding that multi-step units that are equipped handrails are necessary for mothers to use for getting in and out of water birth pools.
Most birth pool companies offer big multi-step units with handrails for mothers to get in and out of their pools.
The design of their water birth pools with narrow rims and higher sides necessitates them.
Multi-step units are dangerous and in the case of Active Birth Pools unnecessary
Health and Safety experts advise against multi-step units as they present unacceptable safety risks.
They say that,
“The thought of wet room conditions with mothers in strong labour climbing up a multi-step unit, stepping over a rim and down onto a submerged plinth is abhorrent.
When not in use these these bulky step units take up too much space, obstruct movement around the pool and are present a trip hazard.”
Water safety and infection control risks you should know about before choosing a birth pool
Manual handling risks associated with water birth pools
There are manual handling issues and risks associated with water birth pools that affect both mothers and midwives.
Most of the risks stem from the design and equipping of the water birth pools themselves and this is where this article will focus.
These issues concern rim mounted fixtures and fittings, emergency evacuations, midwives comfort and support, and mothers getting in and out of the pool.
If you look at our birthing pools from the early 1990’s (above) you’ll notice the vertical skirting panels and narrow rims.
This design has serious manual handling issues which we resolved in 1995 with the help of Health Service Ergonomist Sue Hignett and the midwives at Nottingham City Hospital.
The problem is that the pool forms an obstacle between the mother and the midwife. Midwives are not supported or safeguarded and cannot sit closely to the mother in comfort.
They are forced to sit away from the pool with their legs splayed apart and then lean forward to be closer to the mother.
This creates the ideal physical dynamic that causes lower back pain (a common complaint from midwives attending water births).
In addition, the narrow rims are not comfortable for resting on as pressure is concentrated in a small area of the forearm.
To make matters worse these birthing pools:
– make it more difficult for mothers to get into the pool necessitating the need for large step units which put both mothers and midwives at risk.
– and more difficult for midwives to facilitate emergency evacuations.
The photo above tells a completely different story and clearly demonstrates why midwives say that our water birth pools are the most comfortable and user-friendly.
The concave skirting panel is contoured to the shape of the pool to maximise space under the rim.
The extra-wide rim has a bull-nosed shape edge for added comfort and support.
Midwives sit, fully supported in comfort with their legs well under the pool and forearms resting gently on the broad rim.
The unobstructed rim allows the midwives to move easily around the circumference of the pool.
Getting into the pool
The simple act of getting into the pool is one of the most misunderstood aspects relating to the use water birth pools.
The reason that some water birth pool suppliers offer multi-step units with handrails is because their pools have narrow rims.
The truth is that multi-step units are dangerous and in the case of Active Birth Pools with extra-wide rims unnecessary as the photos below clearly demonstrate.
With the help of Manual Handling and Ergonomic Design experts we designed a simple, safe way for mothers to get into our pools.
The distinctive extra-wide, bull-nosed shaped rim is relatively low making it perfect for mothers to sit on and gently swivel into the water.
There is no climbing – mothers are grounded at all times and safeguarded from risk.
All women no matter what their shape or size will find it exceptionally easy to get into our pools.
Mothers don’t even think about it – they move instinctively and naturally lower themselves into the water.
And midwives will be safeguarded from the risk associated with physically supporting mothers as they climbs up the steps.
To put this in perspective:
The average height of our pools is 75cm – about the same height as a desk or dining table.
Our 15cm high single step makes the height of the pool 60cm – the same height as an ordinary bathtub.
You don’t need a big step unit to get into your bath at home, do you?
Emergency Evacuations
Active Birth Pools give midwives safe, practical options for dealing with emergencies.
The extra-wide rim and internal seats of our pools allow midwives to facilitate emergency evacuations in a way that is birth practical and safe.
Midwives can situate the mother an internal seat and gently raise her with the help of the buoyancy that water provides up to the rim and onto a trolley.
Or, use a net that is specifically designed for this purpose.
Manual Handling advisors may insist that women are evacuated from the birth pool with a hoist and that this facility is provided for.
Active Birth Pools are the only pools on the market designed to accommodate portable hoists should the need arise.
For full details about how Active Birth Pools enable midwives to facilitate safe emergency evacuations including protocols from NHS Hospitals please go to this page.
Rim Mounted Fixtures and Fittings
Many water birth pools have an array of rim mounted fixtures and fittings including taps, spouts, handheld showers and hand grips (similar to those shown on the whirlpool bath below).
Not only do these fittings present an unacceptable infection control risk, but a signifiant health & safety and manual handling risk as well.
They form an obstruction that denies midwives freedom of movement and unencumbered access around the perimeter of the pool.
Most importantly there is a considerable risk of mothers hitting their head on the spout or injuring themselves on the protruding metal work.
If you look at our new Active II Water Birth Pool (above) you’ll notice how the rim is free of potentially dangerous fixtures and fittings.
The handgrips are set into a recess in line with the rim and bonded into the fabric of the pool to deny bacteria the environment they need to grow.
The taps are mounted on an IPS panel with the spout 25cm above the rim of the pool
The distinctive ‘keyhole’ shape channel at the back of the pool contains the plumbing making it impossible for the mother to hit her head on the spout.
Designed to optimise safety, negate risk and deliver safer birthing environments
Health and Safety risks you need to be aware of before buying a water birth pool
Purchasing a water birth pool is a big responsibility.
Not only must financial considerations be taken into account, but more importantly Health and Safety risks.
There are other manufacturers who produce water birth pools that are safe but, many water birth pools are equipped with features that at first might seem safe or even an advantage, but in reality present risks or breach regulations.
These water birth pools (mainly produced in Europe) are over engineered and equipped with a profusion of fittings and features that put mothers and midwives at risk.
(We’re not showing images of other birth pools to illustrate the points below as this could be contentious.)
This whirlpool bath clearly shows a large number of unsafe fittings and systems as applied to water birth pools.
Note the overflow drain, recirculating water system, Swan neck tap, integral shower, rim mounted plumbing and controls
Because they are mounted on the pool, close to the water the potential for pool mounted fixtures and fittings to become contaminated with bacteria and cross infect is greatly increased.
Rim Mounted Taps and Spouts
Rim mounted taps, spouts and showers are one the biggest Health and Safety risks
These fittings present a serious infection control risk as the space between the surface of the pool and the fitting is a suitable breeding ground for bacteria.
Remember – bacteria are microscopic – even though the fitting may appear flush to the surface of the pool there is space for micro-organisms to establish themselves.
The risk that bacteria will propagate in the moisture between the plate and the rim is unacceptable.
There is also a risk that rim mounted taps could be contaminated with water from the pool and flow back into the tap.
There is the potential for back contamination of the tap, with bacterial colonisation into the system in contravention of water fitting regulations
Taps and spouts for water birth pools should be wall mounted 25cm above the pool and fitted with back flow protection as shown in the photo of the Active II Water Birth Pool below:
Surface Mounted Hand Grips (internal and rim mounted)
Surface mounted handgrips are a serious infection control and manual handling risk.
Some water birth pools feature surface mounted hand grips similar to the ones shown above.
The is great potential for bacteria to become established between the fitting and the pool which makes these fittings an unacceptable infection control risk.
The risk of cross-infection is dramatically increased with surface mounted metalwork that is inside the pool as they come into direct contact with the water while the mother is using the pool.
From a manual handling perspective these handgrips are dangerous as they form an obstruction that mothers can hurt themselves on and they interfere with movement around the pool.
Swan Neck Taps
Swan neck taps are often seen mounted on the rims of water birth pools. Though attractive this type of tap presents a significant infection control risk.
Swan neck taps retain larger volumes of water which then stagnates and HFN 30 and HPSC recommends that swan-neck taps should not be used.
This is because they do not empty after use and could be prone to microbial biofouling with microorganisms including Legionella and P. aeruginosa the latter of which was associated with a swan neck tap during the neonatal outbreak in Northern Ireland (HPSC, 2015).
Re-circulating water systems
Re-circulating or pumped systems with jets such as whirlpools and jacuzzi present the perfect conditions for the growth of micro-organisms.
Water systems like these present the highest levels of risk as they produce aerosols.
Aerosols are generated when the water surface is broken – for example, by falling water droplets, splashing, or by bubbles breaking at the surface.
Once introduced to these systems, Legionella and Pseudomonas thrive and can become aerosolised and then inhaled.
Integral Plumbing Systems
Plumbing systems like these utilise flexible and non-flexible piping, overflow drains, handheld showers, pumps, hoses, heaters, surface mounted fittings and filters.
These systems are impossible to clean, disinfect or monitor and therefore present an extremely high Infection Control Risk.
Stagnant water within the system is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
UK regulations state that water birth pools fitted with thermostatically controlled mixer taps plumbed directly into the hospitals water supply.
Hand held showers
Handheld showers present a significant infection control risk.
If the shower head falls in the pool it may be contaminated with bacteria that could breed and be passed on next time the shower is used.
Department of Health regulations clearly stipulate that handheld showers and bath/shower mixers are not installed for use with water birth pools as they present a Fluid Category 5 risk to the mains water supply.
N.B. There are systems available that enable you to detach the hose and shower head from the tap. These are permissible as long as the shower fittings are detached when the pool is in use and only employed afterwards for cleaning.
Integral Plumbing Systems
Plumbing systems like these utilise flexible and non-flexible piping, overflow drains, handheld showers, pumps, hoses, heaters, surface mounted fittings and filters.
These systems are impossible to clean, disinfect or monitor and therefore present an extremely high Infection Control Risk.
Stagnant water within the system is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
UK regulations state that water birth pools should be filled with wall mounted, thermostatically controlled mixer taps plumbed directly into the hospitals water supply.
Pumped heating systems
Heating systems for water birth pools are not necessary and present unacceptable infection control risks.
Water is pumped through a heat exchanger and then back into the pool creating the ideal environment for bacteria to breed.
These systems present one of the highest infection control risks and should not be utilised.
Bacteria filters and disinfection systems
Some water birth pools are equipped with these devices in an attempt to mitigate the risk of infection and bacteria infestation that are inherent in built-in plumbing systems.
Bacteria filters and disinfection systems can not be relied upon and will not guarantee adequate hygiene standards.
Overflow drains
Overflow drains harbour bacteria and can serve as a conduit for cross infection.
Regulations are very clear on this point.
Overflow drains should not be fitted to water birth pools as they constitute a constant infection control risk.
Surface mounted metalwork
Metalwork such as grab rails, taps and handles are an obstacle that comes between mother and midwife.
These fittings ALL present a serious infection control risk as the space between the surface of the pool and the fitting are perfect for bacteria.
Remember – bacteria are microscopic – even though the fitting may appear flush to the surface of the pool there is space for bacteria!
Doors
There is no reason for a water birth pool to have a door and many reasons why they should not.
Doors are mistakenly used for two reasons:
- To facilitate emergency evacuations
- To help mothers get in and out of the pool
Doors present an extremely high risk of infection and should be banned from use in water birth pools for this reason alone.
The door seal (typically foam or rubberised material) is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
From manual handling perspective doors are not practical or fit for purpose.
They actually complicate emergency evacuations and put mothers and midwives at risk.
Active Birth Pools: Water Safety, Hygiene and Infection Control
Videos by midwives for midwives
Videos by midwives for midwives
Comprehensive guidelines for Active Birth Pools in Saudi Arabia by Dr. Omar Nouri
This document presents a comprehensive framework for implementing and managing water birth pools in Saudi healthcare facilities and can be applied to hospitals world-wide.
Developed by Dr. Omar Nouri of Horizon Bridges Company, these guidelines aim to support healthcare providers in introducing evidence-based water birth practices, ensuring the highest safety, hygiene, and efficiency standards.
Key Goals:
• Increase Awareness: Highlight the benefits and protocols for water birth among healthcare professionals.
• Standardize Practices: Establish consistent, high-quality water birth procedures across facilities.
• Enhance Training: Provide healthcare providers with the tools and knowledge needed for effective water birth management.
• Promote Safety: Ensure compliance with international standards for infection control and emergency preparedness.
These guidelines leverage the expertise of Active Birth Pools, recognized globally for their innovative design, unmatched safety, and ergonomic support.
From infection control measures to comprehensive staff training modules, the document offers a roadmap for introducing water birth as a modern, patient-centered maternity care option.
The content is designed for use by midwives, doctors, nurses, and hospital administrators, providing actionable insights to facilitate adoption and implementation in diverse healthcare settings.
Globally, water birth is increasingly recognised as a standard option for low-risk pregnancies, with guidelines from organisations such as NICE and RCOG supporting its use for healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies.
In Saudi Arabia, introducing water birth aligns with national healthcare goals to modernize maternity care and prioritise patient-centred options. By implementing water birth practices, healthcare providers can improve maternal outcomes and enhance overall satisfaction.
Click here for a downloadable PDF of Dr. Nouri’s – Comprehensive guidelines for Active Birth Pools in Saudi Arabia
“I’m proud to endorse these exceptional birthing pools.
Active Birth Pools are unmatched in quality, innovation, and design.
These pools align perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s vision for advancing
healthcare excellence and are set to transform birthing practices”.
Dr. Omar Nouri, MBBS, MSc. Horizon Bridges – Saudi Arabia
Midwives have safe, practical options for dealing with emergencies
The evacuation a collapsed woman is potentially hazardous and poses risk of injury to mother and midwife.
If the need for an emergency evacuation arises the midwife should:
- summon help
- stabilise the mother
- turn the taps on to raise the water to rim level.
The buoyancy of the water reduces the relative weight of the mother by approximately 33% making it easier to move her and effect safe evacuation.
Midwives should float/move the mother onto a seat or support and hold her safely until help arrives.
Basics:
- The mother should be screened to ensure that she meets the inclusion criteria prior to entering the birth pool.
- Continuous risk assessment is essential to reduce the incidence of emergencies in the pool.
- At the first sign of a contraindication the mother should be asked to get out of the water and assisted from the pool for monitoring and care.
- If the mother is unable to leave the pool under her own power or has collapsed an emergency evacuation will need to be conducted.
- A trolley should be available
- for the mother to be moved onto.
- Care must be taken that proper lifting techniques are employed to avert strain & injury.
Example 1: Emergency evacuation utilising the labour support seat
The mother has been moved onto and held on the labour support seat
The midwives guide the mother onto rim by sliding her up the side of the pool
Once on the rim she can be easily transferred onto a trolley
Example 2) Emergency evacuation utilising the safety seat
The mother is moved into position under the safety seat
The midwives glide her up the side of the pool
Onto the safety seat,
and then onto the rim for transfer onto the trolley
Active Birth Pools are portable hoist compatible
Manual Handling advisors may insist that women are evacuated from the birth pool with a hoist and that this facility is provided for.
Active Birth Pools are designed to accommodate a portable hoist should the need arise.
Clinical Guidelines – Royal Cornwall Hospital
Clinical Guidelines – Royal Worcester Hospital
Guideline for the Management of Women Requesting Immersion in Water – Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals
Operational Policy and Clinical Guidelines – Abbey Birth Centre
Birthspace: An evidence-based guide to birth environment design – Queensland Centre for Mothers and Babies
Use of water for labour and birth – Hywel DDA Local health Board
Guidelines for use of pool during labour and delivery – East Cheshire NHS Trust
Guiding principles for midwifery care during normal labour – Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust
Waterbirth care during labour for low risk women – Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals
Active Birth Pools: Sustainability Report
Since its establishment in 1987, Active Birth Pools has been at the forefront of designing and supplying water birth pools.
Our commitment to ergonomic, safe, and high-quality birthing pools has made us a preferred choice for healthcare facilities globally.
Sustainable Materials and Production
Active Birth Pools emphasize sustainability through our use of Ficore® composite, a material known for its longevity, durability, and resistance to chemicals and bacteria.
With a life expectancy of over 25 years, it surpasses the durability of materials typically used in birthing pool manufacturing.
The pools are handcrafted in England by skilled craftsmen, ensuring reduced carbon footprint and support for local employment.
Midwives at the Royal Berkshire Hospital celebrate the 25th anniversary of their water birth facility.
This early model supplied in 1992 is still going strong.
Product Sustainability
The design of Active Birth Pools focuses on durability and longevity, aiming to reduce waste and resource use over time.
The high insulation factor of Ficore® and the double-wall construction ensure better heat retention, reducing energy consumption for maintaining water temperature.
Ergonomic and User-Centered Design
In collaboration with midwives, obstetricians, and ergonomics experts, we have developed designs that cater to the comfort of mothers and healthcare professionals.
This approach aligns with human-centered design principles and contributes to the wellbeing and safety of users, enhancing the overall birthing experience.
Midwives at the `Bronte Birth Centre celebrate the opening of their water birth facility in their new Venus Pool
Economic Benefits
Active Birth Pools are cost-effective for healthcare facilities due to their durability and low maintenance needs.
They also contribute to reduced hospital stays and interventions, leading to economic savings for healthcare systems.
Social Responsibility
Safety and customer satisfaction are paramount in the design of these pools, addressing the needs of mothers, babies, and healthcare workers.
The positive feedback from a global clientele underscores the our commitment to quality and safety.
Conclusion
Active Birth Pools showcase a deep commitment to sustainability with their durable materials, ergonomic designs, and efficient production practices.
Our approach benefits the environment and promotes economic and social sustainability in healthcare.
The pools are guaranteed for life, outperforming others in the market in terms of safety, hygiene, and user satisfaction.
They are built to last for decades, saving up to £20,000 over the pool’s life due to their extended lifespan and reduced maintenance and energy costs.
Active Birth Pools not only offer financial savings but also reduce environmental impact through less waste and efficient use of resources.
They have become a favored choice in maternity units, often influencing mothers’ choice of facility.
Midwives praise the pools for their comfort and safety, and hospitals report that mothers using these pools experience easier, more straightforward births, leading to reduced hospital stays and further economic and environmental savings.
In summary, Active Birth Pools stand out as the most sustainable option in the market, significantly contributing to the normalisation and empowerment of the birthing process.
Intelligently designed to safely fulfil the needs of mothers and midwives
Back in the mid-80s, we embarked on a journey alongside midwives, mothers, obstetricians, infection control specialists, and manual handling experts.
Together, we crafted the world’s very first hospital-grade water birth pool with meticulous attention to every detail.
Since then, we’ve continued to refine our designs, enhance our materials, and elevate our manufacturing and engineering capabilities.
This evolution has given rise to water birth pools that not only prioritize safety but also align perfectly with the needs of both mothers and midwives.
The Building Better Healthcare Awards judges put it succinctly, stating that the harmonious blend of evidence-based, user-centric, ergonomic design, specialized materials, and custom manufacturing has resulted in water birth pools that stand in a class of their own.
Our unwavering dedication lies in offering intelligently designed birthing pools that deliver unparalleled safety, remarkable value, and outstanding performance, all while remaining incredibly practical, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable.
At our core is a genuine passion for design and quality, fueled by an unwavering commitment to enhance the experience of labor and birth for midwives, mothers, and babies alike.
We’re proud to have supplied countless water birth pools to hospitals across the globe.
Our collaborations with end-users, specialists, and manufacturers have driven us to continuously develop and improve our capabilities.
Every Active Birth Pool is meticulously handcrafted to order in England by highly skilled artisans who take immense pride in their work and hold themselves to the highest standards of excellence.
Our design process takes into account the delicate interplay between mothers, midwives, and the birth pool.
We’ve embraced evidence-based, user-centric, ergonomic design principles to create water birth pools that are not only supremely comfortable but also effortlessly practical and user-friendly.
The intricate and inviting forms of our pools are designed to captivate both the senses and emotions.
Each curve, each contour serves a purpose, where form elegantly merges with aesthetic utility.
Through the seamless, one-piece fabrication process in Ficore®, we’ve revolutionized the concept of the birth pool.
This innovation has given birth to pools that seamlessly combine elegance, practicality, and ease of use.
The exceptional qualities of Ficore® empower us to produce water birth pools that excel in performance, value, and safety beyond measure.
Our deep understanding of the childbirth process and our commitment to midwives’ needs have driven us to design birthing pools that actively protect midwives and mothers from the potential risks associated with water birth.
We’re acutely aware of the potential for birth pools to harbor harmful bacteria.
In response, we’ve introduced a range of innovative features that not only mitigate risk but also amplify safety to the highest degree.
Your peace of mind and safety are at the heart of everything we do.
If you’re looking for a water birth pool we’re uniquely qualified to be of service
Active Birth Pools help mothers utilise upright postures to have better births
Studies have shown that upright labour positions are associated with a reduced second stage, fewer episiotomies or instrumental intervention in contrast to mothers labouring on their backs.
Women feel empowered in upright positions and experience a sense of control over their labour.
For birth, squatting and its variants are the positions closest to nature’s laws and are known as physiological birth positions.
These include full or semi squats, standing squats or various kneeling positions.
The use of such upright positions produce the following additional benefits in the second stage:
- more powerful contractions resulting in an effective expulsive reflex
- optimal foetal oxygenation
- minimal strain and muscular effort
- an optimal angle of descent
- maximum space for descent, rotation and emergence of the presenting parts through the pelvic outlet
- optimal relaxation of the perineum
It has been demonstrated that where the use of upright positions during labour and birth is actively encouraged, the number of spontaneous physiological births increases.
Many women do not have the fitness or stamina to maintain upright postures for lengths of time.
On land women need to contend with the force of gravity that limits their ability to assume upright postures especially as labour progresses and they feel tired.
It’s easier for mothers to use upright or squatting positions in water than it is on land and to move freely from one position to another as they explore and find out what works best for them.
The transition from the land to water helps revive and energise the mother giving her a new lease on life and sense of purpose.
The buoyancy of water supports the mother reducing her relative weight by approx. 33% (Archimedes Principle) allowing her to easily explore the full range of beneficial upright positions in comfort and move in ways that were not possible on land.
Active Birth Pools are specially designed to provide optimum support for mothers in the range of upright positions natural to labour and birth.
The can hold onto the recessed handgrips or use the wrap around, bullnose-shape rim for support as the they move around the pool to explore and find the most beneficial upright positions.
Features such as the Labour Support Seat, Safety Seat and Lumbar Support create additional possibilities for mothers to benefit from the upright postures natural to labour and birth.
Sheila Kitzinger speaks about birthing pool design
As childbirth author and activist Sheila Kitzinger OBE wrote in her article ‘The clock, the bed, the chair’ published in 2003:
“Even a recent innovation, the birth pool, does not always permit free movement.
In theory, a pool allows a woman, supported by water, to move unencumbered.
Or so it might be thought.
Though published research often refers to mobility as an advantage of being in a pool, some pools are elaborate constructions with seats, handgrips and foot-rests, and movement in them is restricted.”
The pool dictates the position the mother should be in by placing her in a semi-recumbent posture with hand holds and foot rests to fix the arms and legs.
Mothers are positioned in the classic lying back with legs wide-open position but happen to be immersed in water.
The seats in these water birth pools are typically tilted backwards.
The mother is immobilised in a position with her pelvis tilted upwards resulting in her pelvic outlet being up to 30% smaller.
This puts pressure on the sacrum which flexes upward, into a curved position that restricts the diameter of the pelvic outlet inhibiting the baby’s descent.
The birth canal is placed in an “uphill” orientation, forcing the mother to push upward against gravity to give birth to her baby.
These seats and moulded fittings greatly reduce the space the mother has to move in and restricts her ability to use the positions most beneficial.
The benefits of labouring in water are largely negated.
The possibility of a physiological labour and natural birth is greatly reduced.”
The history of water birth and development of specialised water birth pools
The history of water birth and the development of specialised water birth pools is a remarkable story of innovation and transformation in childbirth practices, driven by the insights of obstetrician Michel Odent and the design expertise of Keith Brainin.
Michel Odent’s groundbreaking work in the field of water birth began in the late 1970s at a state hospital near Paris.
Odent believed that childbirth had become overly medicalized and sought a more natural approach.
He introduced a pool in the hospital to ease the pain of labor, leading to some babies being born in the water.
Michel Odent with his pool in the maternity unit in Pithiviers, France
This innovative approach offered a more comfortable and less stressful birthing experience for mothers, with warm water helping to relax muscles, reduce stress, and enhance blood circulation.
Odent’s work demonstrated a reduction in the need for interventions like epidurals and episiotomies, aligning with many parents’ desires for a minimally invasive childbirth experience.
His observations and clinical experiences suggested that water birth provided a gentle transition for babies, mirroring the amniotic fluid environment.
“When asked about the history of birthing pools in hospitals, I mention the day when Keith Brainin realised that special bath tubs might be designed and commercialised to meet the needs of labouring women.” Michel Odent
1989 – Sheila Kitzinger and Ethel Burns raise money to have the first specially designed water birth pool installed in an NHS Hospital at the John Radcliffe, Oxford
Building on Odent’s pioneering work, Keith Brainin, founder and director of Active Birth Pools, developed the world’s first specially designed water birth pools.
Starting in 1987, Brainin and his team focused on design, engineering, and manufacture to develop a water birth pool that excelled in quality, functionality, and durability.
Judges at the Building Better Healthcare Awards said that, “Active Birth Pools are the pinnacle of water birth pool design and development – an incomparable combination of design, materials and manufacturing”
The Active Birth Pool was designed with ergonomic principles to support natural childbirth postures and provide comfort for the mother.
Features like extra-wide rims, integrated handrails, and specially designed labor support and safety seats were included to enhance safety and functionality.
The use of Ficore composite for construction ensured a harder, more chemical-resistant, and warm-to-the-touch surface that retains heat efficiently.
Keith Brainin with Sheena Byron and midwives in the Lotus Birth Centre, Royal London Hospital 2018
Additionally, the pools were equipped with features like chromotherapy LED lighting and Bluetooth sound systems, allowing mothers to personalize their birthing environment.
These innovations in water birth pool design have significantly contributed to the safety, comfort, and natural approach to childbirth.
Both Michel Odent’s clinical insights and Keith Brainin’s design innovations have played a crucial role in transforming childbirth practices, emphasizing the importance of a natural, holistic approach to labor and delivery.
Their contributions have been instrumental in making water birth a viable and increasingly popular option for expectant mothers worldwide.
Fluid modernities: the birthing pool in late twentieth-century Britain
Water Birth Safety Initiative
Hospitals in the United Kingdom began allowing women to use specially designed pools of water for labour and birth during the 1980’s.
The wide-spread popularity and acceptance of water birth pools as a standard part of the maternity care package necessitated the development of guidelines & regulations to define standards and ensure they’re met.
The United Kingdom Department of Health has published a panoply of water safety directives that apply to water birth pools.
Policies and recommendations set forth in the Water Birth Safety Initiative are based upon these publications.
The Water Birth Safety Initiative (WBSI) calls for development of international standards modelled on the UK’s so that women the world over can benefit from the use of water for labour and birth safeguarded from risk.
The WBSI calls for the implementation of stricter protocols and sets forth recommendations for equipment standards.
The guidelines set forth in the WBSI are intended to serve as a framework of standards for birth pool suppliers, hospitals and midwives to work with to establish safe codes of practice.
Guidelines for Water Birth Pools Installed in Hospital
Water is more prone to bacteria growth after it leaves the public water distribution system and enters a building’s plumbing.
There it finds warmer temperatures, stagnation, and smaller pipes, valves and fittings.
Biofilm that forms on valves and fittings and pipe walls not only feeds bacteria but also protects them from the hot water and chlorine that typically would kill free-floating organisms.
Large systems with complex piping networks — like those found in hospitals, hotels and large apartment buildings — are especially prone to bacteria growth.15
Water Birth Pools that are installed in hospitals have the benefit of being maintained by staff to ensure that protocols are established, met and maintained.
Consideration and due diligence with regard to the prospective purchase of water birth pools and the assessment of pools already in use needs to be taken to ensure that the associated plumbing and electrical systems meet relevant safety standards.
The United Kingdom’s Department of Health and National Health Service has an exemplary safety record achieved by establishing rigorous sets of guidelines and regulations for the design, installation, use and maintenance (cleaning/disinfection) of water birth pools.
In the UK water birth pools are classed as a Category Fluid 5 water risk which represents a serious health hazard due to the concentration of pathogenic organisms, radioactive or very toxic substances, e.g. containing faecal material or other human waste; butchery or other animal waste or pathogens.
Water Birth Pools must be installed in compliance with water regulations as set forth in The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.11
The 7 sins of water safety
To ensure high standards are met it is strongly advised that you do not use a water birth pool that has any of these features:
- Overflow drains
- Internal water inlets
- Hand-held showers
- Systems with flexible hoses or extended pipes
- Integral or secondary plumbing systems
- Any type of recirculating or pumped water systems such as whirlpool, jacuzzi, spa, bubbling, filtering etc
- Heating systems
1) Overflow drains
Overflow drains harbour bacteria and can serve as a conduit for cross infection.
Regulations are very clear on this point – overflow drains should not be installed on water birth pools as they constitute a constant infection control risk much more significant than the possible risk of damage due to water overflowing.11,12
Some digital taps on the market can be set for filling time thus obviating the risk of the pool overflowing.
2) Internal water inlets
Internal water inlets act in place of taps to fill the pool.
They are installed on the inside of the pool just above the water line and connected with pipework to a thermostatic valve.
If the water level rises there is a high risk of back flow enabling bacteria to enter the system creating a risk of cross infection.7
3) Handheld showers
Handheld showers present a significant infection control risk due to the fact that they can fall in the pool and be contaminated with bacteria that could breed and be passed on next time the shower is used.
Department of Health regulations clearly stipulate that handheld showers and bath/shower mixers are not installed for use with water birth pools. 13
Handheld showers present a Fluid Category 5 risk to the mains water supply.
It must not be possible to submerge the showerhead in the water due to risk of cross infection.
In order to comply with category 5 water regulations covering back siphonage, a class AUK3 air gap would be required, which generally prevents the use of handsets, unless there is a separate break tank installed in the hospital plumbing system.
4) Systems with flexible hoses or extended pipes
Systems that employ flexible piping, have branch pipes or hold stagnant water present a potential hazard and must not be used with water birth pools.
It is impossible to clean, disinfect or monitor these systems.
They have been proven to be a source of Legionella and Pseudomonas. 14
Weekly flushing recommendations recommended by the department of health cannot be executed with such systems, and the effectiveness of this cannot be monitored due to the inacessibility of the closed system.
5) Integral or secondary plumbing systems
Integral, secondary or proprietary plumbing systems are fitted to some water birth pools.
As these systems can employ flexible and non-flexible piping, overflow drains, handheld showers and are often pumped or recirculating they present a significant infection control risk and should be banned from use.
Regulations stipulate that water birth pools are filled from thermostatically controlled wall mounted mixer taps plumbed directly into the hospitals water supply with the minimum of pipework.
Not only do secondary or integral plumbing systems present unacceptable risks, they are impossible to clean, disinfect or monitor and therefore present an extremely high and unacceptable infection control risk.
They must not be present on pools used for labour and birth. 10
6) Recirculating or pumped water systems
Recirculating or pumped water systems such as whirlpool, jacuzzi, spa, bubbling, filtering etc. have the perfect environmental conditions to be a potential source for the growth of microorganisms, including legionella bacteria and must not be installed on water birth pools.
Water systems that are able produce aerosols represent the highest levels of risk.
Aerosols can be generated very easily when the water surface is broken -for example, by falling water droplets, splashing, or by bubbles breaking at the surface.
Once introduced to artificial water systems, Legionella can thrive in warm water (30 – 35 °C) and has been shown to be present on flexible seals and metal surfaces within plumbing systems used in domestic potable water supplies.
Inadequately maintained spa pools (birth pools with pumped or recirculating systems) provide ideal conditions to support the growth of legionellae and other microorganisms, which may then become aerosolised and subsequently inhaled.15
7) Heating systems
Heating systems for water birth pools are not necessary and present unacceptable infection control risks.7
There are two types of heating systems in use:
1. Recirculating system with a heat exchanger
Water is pumped out of the pool and through a heat exchanger and then flows back into the pool.
These systems present one of the highest infection control risks and should not be installed on a water birth pool under any circumstances. (covered by points 4, 5 and 6 above).
2. Electric heating systems
Similar to under floor heating found in homes do not present an infection control risk.
But, they do present an unacceptable health and safety risk and should therefore not be installed in water birth pools.
These systems consist of a network of cables embedded in the fabric of the birth pool that are attached to the power supply through a thermostat.
The heat is transmitted from the cables through the floor of the pool and then transferred to the water.
The inherent problem with these systems is that the water is relied on to take the heat away from the material.
If a woman remains motionless the heat becomes concentrated and a “hotspot” develops which can result in the woman being burned.
Recommendations
Plumbing for filling and emptying water birth pools should be simple, straight forward and kept to the minimum.
A set of taps (see below) mounted on the wall 15cm above the rim and a drainage system similar to that of a normal bath is all that is required.
Rim mounted taps present two areas of risk:
1. Women may hit their head on taps that are mounted on the rim of the pool causing injury.
In the throes of labour a woman is not as cognisant of her surroundings as she normally is.
She needs to be protected from the potential harm that could result from hitting her head or other part of her body on the spout.
2. Risk to the taps and pool caused by the labouring woman grabbing onto the spout for support could easily cause damage to the fitting or fabric of the pool.
Filling the birth pool
Water Birth Pools should be filled directly from the hospitals main water supply through a ¾ Thermostatic Mixing Valve (TMV).
To comply with UK National Health Service regulations the valve must have TMV3 approval for use in Healthcare and Commercial situations and certify that it conforms to the performance requirements of the Department of Health.16
To kill legionella and other bacteria, water in hospitals systems is heated to 60 – 80 °C.
Water temperature entering the birth pool should be limited by the TMV to 44 °C to prevent scalding.
The added benefit of using a TMV connected directly to the hospitals main water supply is that it can be set to automatically flush itself of stagnant water twice a day and be thermally disinfected periodically.
The use of a TMV ensures a safe water supply.
Digital thermostatic mixing valves with enhanced thermal performance that incorporate these features are ideal:
1) Programmable control to accurately mix and maintain the temperature of the water flowing into the birth pool and limit the temperature of the water to 44 °C to prevent scalding.17
2) Programmable fill duration to fill the pool to the desired depth and then turn off.
This is important as water birth pools are not allowed to have overflow drains installed and this feature will prevent the pool from overflowing when unattended.
3) Programmable duty flushing to ensure that water does not stagnate within the tap and associated pipe work, effectively controlling the multiplication of legionella & other bacteria in infrequently used outlets.
Flushing duration is in line with HSE L8 recommendations.18
4) Programmable high-temperature thermal disinfection to destroy the proteins in viruses and bacteria and render them as dead or inert.
Thermal disinfection works by achieving a moist heat which is set at a specific temperature for a set amount of time.
Viruses and bacteria are very sensitive to heat and they will die if exposed to higher temperatures. 19
Emptying the Pool
Water from a birth pool needs to be treated as Fluid category 5 waste representing a serious health hazard due to the concentration of pathogenic organisms derived from fecal material or other human waste and emptied directly into the hospital’s waste water system.20
The pipework needs to have a trap or U bend fit as close to the waste/drain as possible.
The drainage fitting or waste should seal neatly into the drain.
The drainage fitting should be cleaned and flushed through with disinfectant and then dried as part of the cleaning protocol.
The waste should be kept closed when the pool is not in use.
There should be NO flexible pipe used in the drainage pipework.21
The waste should be remotely operated (i.e. pop up waste with rim mounted control) and of the best quality, preferably high-grade brass, to resist the corrosive action of chlorides and other disinfectants.
End notes
The Water Birth Safety Initiative was conceived by Keith Brainin to motivate and enable birth pool suppliers and health care professionals to raise standards and implement protocols to make water birth safe.
References
[1] Healio – Infectious Disease News. (2014, December 26). Legionellosis death after water birth sparks call for stricter infection control protocols. http://www.healio.com/infectious-disease/practice management/news/online/%7Bfe352169-755d-4d21-9bb2-abb8ae209f89%7D/legionellosis-death-after-water-birth-sparks-call-for-stricter-infection-control-protocols
[2] Inquisitr. (2015, January 16). Oregon Water Birth Leaves Baby Disabled, Lawsuit Wants Labor Options Banned. http://www.inquisitr.com/1761136/oregon-water-birth-leaves-baby-disabled-lawsuits-wants-labor-options-banned/
[3] GOV.UK. Alert after Legionnaires’ disease case in baby, 2014. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/alert-after-legionnaires-disease-case-in-baby
[4] The Guardian. Legionnaires’ disease in baby is linked to heated birthing pool, June 17, 2014.http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jun/17/legionnaires-disease-heated-birthing-pool-baby-public-health
[5] Guidance from the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) https://www.wras.co.uk/consumers/advice_for_consumers/what_are_the_water_regulations_/
[6] M.W. LeChevallier, 2003 World Health Organization (WHO). Conditions favouring coliform and HPC bacterial growth in drinking- water and on water contact surfaces. Heterotrophic Plate Counts and Drinking-water Safety. Edited by J. Bartram, J. Cotruvo, M. Exner, C. Fricker, A. Glasmacher. Published by IWA Publishing, London, UK. ISBN: 1 84339 025 6.
[7] www.gov.uk. Public Health England advice on home birthing pools, 2014. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-health-england-advice-on-home-birthing-pools
[8] Health and Safety Executive. (2013). Legionnaires’ disease: Technical guidance [3.4], 2013. http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg274part3.pdf
[9] United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust UK. Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization Guidelines for Re-Usable Medical Devices 2010.
http://www.activebirthpools.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Lincolnshire-CLEANING-DISINFECTION-AND-STERILIZATION-GUIDELINES-FOR-RE-USABLE-MEDICAL-DEVICES.pdf
[10] http://www.eurosurveillance.org. Case of legionnaires’ disease in a neonate following an home birth in a heated birthing pool. England, June 2014 http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=20857
[11] Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS). Fluid Categories. https://www.wras.co.uk/consumers/resources/glossary/fluid_categories/
[12] WHBN 00-10 Welsh Health Building Note. Part C: Sanitary assemblies2014, http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/documents/254/WHBN%2000-10%20Part%20C.pdf
[13] Department of Health, Children, young people and maternity services. Health Building Note 09-02: Maternity care facilities, 2009.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/147876/HBN_09-02_Final.pdf
[14] Freije, Matthew R. Some waterborne bacteria are tough, 2010. http://www.watertechonline.com/articles/some-waterborne-bacteria-are-tough
[15] Woolnough, Kevin. Legionella Expert Calls for Greater Vigilance, 2014. http://www.eurofins.co.uk/news-archive/legionella-expert-calls-for-greater-vigilance.aspx
[16] BEAMA. TMV Standards and regulations, 2013. http://www.beama.org.uk/en/product-areas/heating-hot-water–air-movement/thermostatic-mixing-valves/tmva-faqs-on-thermostatic-mixing-valves/tmv-standards-and-regulations.cfm
[17] Health and Safety Executive. Managing the risks from hot water and surfaces in health and social care, 2012. http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hsis6.pdf
[18] Health and Safety Executive. Legionnaires’ disease The control of legionella bacteria in water systems, 2013. http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l8.pdf
[19] Health and Safety Executive. Managing legionella in hot and cold water systems. http://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/legionella.htm
[20] SMS Environmental – the water experts. Fluid Categories. http://www.sms-environmental.co.uk/fluid_categories.html.
[21] Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Legionella Management and Control Procedures, 2014.
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Please feel free to distribute and share this document crediting © K. D. Brainin (Active Birth Pools) 2015
Active Birth Pools: Ethos and Values Statement
Active Birth Pools, established in 1987, has played a pioneering role in the use of water for labour and birth.
Their values and approach can be comprehensively understood by examining various aspects of their operations and products.
Innovation and Pioneering Spirit:
Active Birth Pools helped pioneer the use of water in labour and birth, working closely with midwives, mothers, obstetricians, and experts in infection control and manual handling.
This collaborative approach led to the development of the world’s first specially designed hospital-grade water birth pool, demonstrating their commitment to innovation and improvement in maternity care.
Safety, Value, and Performance:
The company emphasizes these core principles in their products.
They focus on producing birthing pools that are safe, offer great value, and perform exceptionally.
This focus is evident in their use of specialized materials like Ficore®, a proprietary material known for its durability, practicality, and safety features.
Ficore® pools, for example, retain heat efficiently and are resistant to bacteria and harsh disinfectants, ensuring high standards of hygiene.
Ergonomic Design:
Active Birth Pools employs evidence-based, user-centred ergonomic design principles.
Their pools are crafted to meet the comfort needs of both mothers and midwives, featuring designs that support various positions like sitting, kneeling, and squatting.
The wide rims of the pools allow midwives to rest comfortably, akin to sitting at a desk, which showcases their consideration for both the users’ comfort and practicality.
Customer Feedback and Endorsements:
The company values customer feedback and has received numerous positive testimonials from healthcare professionals and mothers.
These testimonials often highlight the comfort, ease of use, safety, and practicality of the pools, reflecting the company’s dedication to quality and user satisfaction.
Build Quality and Guarantee:
Active Birth Pools are hand-made to order in England by highly skilled craftsmen who take great pride in their work and are dedicated to excellence.
Active Birth Pools offers a lifetime guarantee on their water birth pools, which reflects their commitment to quality and durability.
This lifetime guarantee is a testament to the trust the company places in its design, materials and manufacturing processes.
Sustainability and Longevity:
Active Birth Pools places importance on sustainability.
Their pools have a life expectancy exceeding 25 years, making them a sustainable choice in comparison to other birthing pools with shorter lifespans.
This longevity not only provides value for money but also aligns with environmental sustainability principles.
Global Reach and Experience:
With a history spanning several decades, Active Birth Pools has supplied thousands of water birth pools worldwide.
Their extensive experience and knowledge in the field have made them a leading choice for hospitals and midwives globally.
This worldwide reach underlines their commitment to improving maternity care on a global scale.
In summary, Active Birth Pools’ values are centred around innovation, safety, ergonomic design, customer satisfaction, sustainability, and a global perspective in improving maternity care.
These values have guided their operations and product development, positioning them as a leader in the water birth pool market.
Active Birth Pools now available to NHS Hospitals at 2014 prices
Since supplying our first water birth pool to the John Radcliffe Hospital in 1992 we’ve supplied birthing pools to hundreds of hospitals throughout the United Kingdom and built up a sterling reputation for safety, value and performance.
We are very grateful and want to give something back by offering NHS Hospitals our award winning water birth pools at 2014 prices.
In 2014 we teamed up with high-end bath manufacturer Design and Form who’s use of specialised materials, bespoke manufacturing techniques and advanced engineering methods enabled us to take our designs to the next level and develop water birth pools that were a quantum leap forward in every way.
We won a Building Better Healthcare Award in 2015 and have continued to innovate and evolve the design of our water birth pools to maximise safety, optimise value and enhance usability.
To celebrate our Tenth Anniversary and make it possible for maternity units across the country to benefit from our award winning water birth pools we are making this extra-ordinary offer.
The offer is open to NHS Hospitals in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and valid for orders received by December 31st 2025 for delivery by June 30th 2026.
About Us
We helped pioneer the use of water for labour and birth by designing the water birth pools that made this revolution in maternity care possible.
Over the past 37 years we’ve supplied thousands of water birth pools to maternity units around the world, and helped millions of women have better births.
The combination of evidence based, user-centred, ergonomic design, highly specialised materials and bespoke manufacturing result in water birth pools that are in a class of their own.
We’ve achieved success by continuously innovating, keeping things simple and focusing on our core principles of safety, value and performance.
Our unique understanding and long-term dedication to serving the needs of mothers and midwives makes us uniquely qualified to be of service.
We are the recipient of a Building Better Healthcare Award and a European Design Award and widely acknowledged as the preferred choice of hospitals world-wide.
Active Birth Pools are crafted from Ficore® composite, a proprietary material with unique qualities that makes them more durable, practical, and safer.
Handmade to order by highly skilled craftsmen in England, Active Birth Pools are built to last for decades and guaranteed for life.
Contact us to request a quote and find out more about this extra-ordinary offer.
Please help us spread news of our anniversary offer by telling your NHS colleagues about it and using the social media buttons on the left to share it with your networks.
If you’re looking for a water birth pool we are uniquely qualified to be of service
Midwives tell us that our water birth pools are the most comfortable and easy-to-use.
Delivery and Installation
Delivery, Moving and Handling
Mainland UK Deliveries
Active Birth Pools delivered within the mainland UK are wrapped in protective packaging and placed in double walled boxes with corrugated sides.
The pools are delivered by our dedicated carrier on a week commencing basis.
If you require delivery on a specific date or at a specific time please contact us for a quote.
Box Size and Weight
- Active Birth Pool: 1880 x 1690 x 790mm 100 kg
- Venus Birth Pool: 1960 x 1390 x 790mm 90 kg
- Princess Birth Pool: 1640 x 1140 x 790mm 80 kg
The carrier will deliver your birth pool to the receipt and distribution point.
You’ll be responsible for moving it to the room where it will be installed.
The pool should be moved from the delivery point in its cardboard box by turning it gently on its side onto a movers dolly or two.
This will enable it to be easily moved along corridors and through doorways. Once the pool is in the room where it will be installed carefully open the cardboard box and remove the protective packaging.
Outside Mainland UK and International Deliveries
Active Birth Pools that are delivered outside the mainland UK are wrapped in protective packaging and placed in timber framed crates with plywood sides that conform to ISPM15 and are stamped accordingly.
Crate Size and Weight
- Active Birth Pool: 1910 x 1720 x 890mm 200 kg
- Active II Water Birth Pool: 2050 x 1810 x 970mm 220kg
- Venus Birth Pool: 1950 x 1420 x 890mm 185 kg
- Venus II Water Birth Pool: 2050 x 1420 x 890mm 205kg
- Princess Birth Pool: 1670 x 1170 x 890mm 145 kg
The birth pool should be unpacked from the timber crate but left in its protective packaging for moving from the delivery point to the room where it will be installed.
The pool should be gently turned on its side onto a padded movers dolly or two to enable it to be easily moved along corridors and through doorways. It’s best to handle the pool by the rim as this is the strongest point.
Installation
When siting the water birth pool be sure to leave plenty of room around it (at least 80cm on the sides and 150-200cm in front) for midwives and attendants to move freely.
Prior to moving the birth pool into position against the wall the plumbing (taps and drainage) and electrical services should be in place ready for final connection to the pool.
Taps
Fix a 3/4″ thermostatically controlled mixer tap with a 150mm spout on an IPS panel 25 cm above the rim of the pool (rim height 75cm).
We suggest that you consider the Rada Sense Bath T3 (or similar) as it is a digital tap that not only enables you to programme the http://activebirthpools.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Rada-1.pdfwater temperature but also the fill time.
A filling time of 20 – 25 minutes is acceptable.
Drainage
The pool is supplied with a bespoke brass 40mm pop up waste that is operated by a control that is fixed to the rim.
The waste is connected to a P Trap and a McAlpine T25 adaptor
Height from the floor to the centre of the T25 adaptor is 11cm
From the T25 adaptor you can utilise of a wide variety of commonly available parts to connect to the pipework of the buildings drainage system.
When electrical and plumbing services are in place and ready for the final connection to the pool’s systems the pool should be moved into position and fixed to the floor.
Final connection of services can be carried out through the access panel when the pool is secured in place.
Fixing the birth pool to the floor
All feet MUST be in solid contact with the floor.
If the floor is not level or smooth be sure to adjust the feet or level the floor so that all of the feet are in firm contact with the floor and there is no rocking or movement.
The bottom flange of the outer panel should be in contact with the floor but is not the primary support structure of the pool and must not bear the full weight of the filled birth pool.
The water birth pool is supplied with 3 x 100 mm x 30 mm fixing brackets.
You’ll find the brackets taped to the pool just inside the access panel that can be opened with a 10mm Allen Key.
It is essential these brackets are securely fixed to the floor with suitable hardware to immobilise the pool and prevent it from moving when empty.
Failure to secure the pool to the floor with the fixing brackets will endanger the end user and VOID the guarantee.
Locating and fixing the brackets
Step 1: All Models:
Mark the central position of the water birth pool on the wall that it is being fitted on.
Step 2: Active Birth Pool – front fixing bracket
Measure 1220 mm from the centre point on the wall and mark this as the point to locate the bracket so that the long flat piece is projecting away from the wall and the raised short section faces forward into the room.
Fix the bracket to the floor using suitable hardware.
Front bracket right centre – Back bracket lower left
Step 2: Active II Water Birth Pool – front fixing bracket
Measure 1330 mm from the centre point on the wall and mark this as the point to locate the bracket so that the long flat piece is projecting away from the wall and the raised short section faces forward into the room.
Fix the bracket to the floor using suitable hardware.
Front bracket right centre – Back bracket lower left and right
Step 2: Venus Birth Pool – front fixing bracket
Measure 1070 mm from the centre point on the wall and mark this as the point to locate the bracket so that the long flat piece is projecting away from the wall and raised short section faces forward into the room.
Fix the bracket to the floor using suitable hardware.
Front bracket right centre – Back bracket lower left
Step 2: Venus II Water Birth Pool
– front fixing bracket
Measure 1330 mm from the centre point on the wall and mark this as the point to locate the bracket so that the long flat piece is projecting away from the wall and the raised short section faces forward into the room.
Fix the bracket to the floor using suitable hardware.
Front bracket right centre – Back bracket lower left and rightt
Step 2: Princess Birth Pool Pool – front fixing bracket
Measure 1020 mm from the centre point on the wall and mark this as the point to locate the bracket so that the long flat piece is projecting away from the wall and raised short section faces forward into the room.
Fix the bracket to the floor using suitable hardware.
Front bracket right centre – Back bracket upper left
Step 3: All Models
Place the birth pool at least 60 mm away from the rear wall before moving it onto the bracket and flush against the wall.
Push the birth pool towards the wall so that the flange of the pool slides under the bracket.
This secures the front of the pool to the floor.
Step 4: All Models – back fixing bracket
The 2nd fixing bracket should be fixed in position on the bottom flange of the pool below the access panel as indicated in the images above.
You will see that a hole has been drilled in the flange. Line the bracket up with this hole. You can fix the pool to the floor with a raw plug and suitable hardware to guarantee that it is secure.
The long flat piece should be fixed to the floor with suitable hardware so that the short section is holding the flange securely to the floor.
Step 5: All Models
Seal the water birth pool to the floor and wall using a suitable sealant to prevent ingress of water and dirt.
Multi-Colour LED Lighting
Installation
Connect the light to a circuit breaker, then to the power supply.
The system should be protected by a 6 AMP RCD with 30 -32 MA Sensitivity.
The LED is transformed down to 12 volts and has a power rating of 2.5 watts.
A separate means of Isolation should be provided for future maintenance.
Operating voltage 220/230 volts – 50/60 hertz
Operating instructions
The system is operated by the control pad on the rim of the pool.
To activate the system press the button once.
The white light will come on.
To choose another colour continue to press the button and the system will cycle through the range of colours – light blue, blue, purple, magenta, red, pink, orange, yellow, apple green and green.
To turn the system off press and hold the button down for 2 seconds.
The light should be switched off when the pool is not in use.
Bluetooth Sound System
Connect the factory fitted bluetooth sound system to a circuit breaker and then to the power supply.
The system is always on standby waiting for users to pair and connect.
It’s operated directly from the users mobile phone or bluetooth enabled device and has no controls of its own.
N.B. If there is more than one birth pool with bluetooth sound being installed in the same unit you will need to fit a remote switch to enable the users to turn the system on and off.
This is to prevent people accidentally activating the system instead of the one in their room.
Transducer speaker
- Frequency Range 20Hz-20KHz.
- Maximum Power Output 50W at 4 Ohm.
Bluetooth Amplifier
- Transmission Range 5m to 10m.
- Maximum Power Output 2ch X 20W.
- Operating voltage 220/230 volts – 50/60 hertz
- Transformed Voltage 12 Volt DC / 3 amp.
- Waterproof Rating IP67.
Cleaning and Care:
Safety comes 1st!
Active Birth Pools are Rated No.1 for water safety and infection control standards.
This is because the material we use (Ficore) is 5 x harder than other materials and is immune to the effects of disinfection with 10,000ppm hypo-chlorite.
Seamless one-piece construction and the absence of surface mounted metal work deny micro-organisms the environment they need to propagate.
Active Birth Pools Cleaning and Disinfection Guidelines
This is a two-step procedure – first cleaning of the pool and surround, then disinfection of the pool and surround.
- Prior to emptying the pool remove debris and larger particles from the water with a sieve to prevent it from blocking or obstructing the outlet.
- Use the standard infection control precautions (plastic apron, disposable gloves and eye protection) when cleaning the pool. Ensure the area is well ventilated.
- Cleaning – use a non-abrasive detergeant with non-abrasive sponge or cloth to thoroughly clean the pool. Ensure the tap is cleaned first, so as not to transfer micro-organisms from the “dirty” pool area to the cleaner tap region. Rinse well with warm water.
- Disinfecting – use chlorclean or similar hypochlorite disinfectant following the directions on the packet for mixing the solution to the correct concentration for disinfecting the birth pool and surround. Do not use bleach as it is highly corrosive and could cause damage to the fittings.
- Apply the solution to the tap and spout prior to disinfecting the pool.
- There are 3 methods for disinfecting the pool that are commonly used in hospitals:
1) Fill the pool with cold water and add the requisite amount of disinfectant – leave for ten minutes.
The advantage of this method is that it is 100% effective but wasteful of water, time consuming and uses a large amount of disinfectant
2) Make up 2-3 litres of solution and pour it around the inside of the rim. Then use a new disposable mop or cloth to spread the disinfectant over the surface of the pool. Leave for ten minutes.
The advantage of this method is that it is economic in terms of time and cost but relies upon the person carrying out the task to ensure that 100% of the pools surface is disinfected.
3) Fill a spray bottle with disinfectant and thoroughly spray the surface of the pool and surround. Then use a new disposable mop or cloth to spread the disinfectant over the surface of the pool. Leave for ten minutes.
The advantage of this method is that it is economic in terms of time and cost but relies upon the person carrying out the task to ensure that 100% of the pools surface is disinfected
- Open the drain outlet and empty the pool of the disinfectant.
- Using cold water, rinse the tap then the pool to remove all traces of the disinfectant, to prevent any residue being left on the pool surface.
- Dry the entire surface of the pool using a new cloth or disposable mop head.
- Keep the drain outlet closed when not in use.
If you are duty flushing the taps with hot water/steam add a few inches of cold water to the pool first.
Damage resulting from higher water temperatures, steam cleaning or use of products not approved by Active Birth Pools will not be covered by our guarantee.
Protocols from hospitals using Active Birth Pools.
- Water Safety Guidelines
- Protocols: Sheffield Teaching Hospital A must read
- Protocols: Watford General Hospital
- Protocols: Basingstoke and North Hampshire NHS Trust
- Protocols: Nottingham Hospital Trust
- Protocols: Buckinghamshire Healthcare
- Protocols: Northern Health and Social Care Trust
- Protocols: NHS Forth Valley
- Protocols: NHS General
- Water Birth Safety Initiative: Essential reading
SaveSave
Cleaning and Care
Safety comes 1st!
Active Birth Pools are Rated No.1 for water safety and infection control standards.
This is because the material we use (Ficore) is 5 x harder than other materials and is immune to the effects of disinfection with 10,000ppm hypo-chlorite.
Seamless one-piece construction and the absence of surface mounted metal work deny micro-organisms the environment they need to propagate.
Active Birth Pools Cleaning and Disinfection Guidelines
This is a two-step procedure – first cleaning of the pool and surround, then disinfection of the pool and surround.
- Prior to emptying the pool remove debris and larger particles from the water with a sieve to prevent it from blocking or obstructing the outlet.
- Use the standard infection control precautions (plastic apron, disposable gloves and eye protection) when cleaning the pool. Ensure the area is well ventilated.
- Cleaning – use a non-abrasive detergeant with non-abrasive sponge or cloth to thoroughly clean the pool. Ensure the tap is cleaned first, so as not to transfer micro-organisms from the “dirty” pool area to the cleaner tap region. Rinse well with warm water.
- Disinfecting – use chlorclean or similar hypochlorite disinfectant following the directions on the packet for mixing the solution to the correct concentration for disinfecting the birth pool and surround.Do not use bleach as it is highly corrosive and could cause damage to the fittings.
- Apply the solution to the tap and spout prior to disinfecting the pool.
- There are 3 methods for disinfecting the pool that are commonly used in hospitals:
1) Fill the pool with cold water and add the requisite amount of disinfectant – leave for ten minutes.
The advantage of this method is that it is 100% effective but wasteful of water, time consuming and uses a large amount of disinfectant
2) Make up 2-3 litres of solution and pour it around the inside of the rim. Then use a new disposable mop or cloth to spread the disinfectant over the surface of the pool. Leave for ten minutes.
The advantage of this method is that it is economic in terms of time and cost but relies upon the person carrying out the task to ensure that 100% of the pools surface is disinfected.
3) Fill a spray bottle with disinfectant and thoroughly spray the surface of the pool and surround. Then use a new disposable mop or cloth to spread the disinfectant over the surface of the pool. Leave for ten minutes.
The advantage of this method is that it is economic in terms of time and cost but relies upon the person carrying out the task to ensure that 100% of the pools surface is disinfected
- Open the drain outlet and empty the pool of the disinfectant.
- Using cold water, rinse the tap then the pool to remove all traces of the disinfectant, to prevent any residue being left on the pool surface.
- Dry the entire surface of the pool using a new cloth or disposable mop head.
- Keep the drain outlet closed when not in use.
Please note: If you want to use a product that is not chloride based please contact us for approval.
Damage resulting from higher water temperatures, steam cleaning or use of products not approved by Active Birth Pools will not be covered by our guarantee.
If you are duty flushing the taps with hot water/steam add 10cm of cold water to the pool first.
Important Update
Hospitals worldwide are starting to use Copper / Silver orca disinfection systems in an effort to combat bacterial issues and improve water safety.
We have discovered that there is great potential for staining with the Copper / Silver orca disinfection system
Copper-silver ionization systems introduce trace amounts of copper into the pool water.
In some cases, exposure to elevated copper levels can lead to staining of the sanitary ware and other surfaces, such as walls, floors, or fixtures.
This study goes into great detail – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7384302/
Please note that staining caused by these systems is NOT covered by our guarantee.
If your hospital is using one of these water treatment systems we suggest that you contact the department responsible for water safety as regular monitoring and appropriate copper levels are essential to mitigate the risk of staining.
Protocols from hospitals using Active Birth Pools.
- Water Safety Guidelines
- Protocols: Sheffield Teaching Hospital A must read
- Protocols: Watford General Hospital
- Protocols: Basingstoke and North Hampshire NHS Trust
- Protocols: Nottingham Hospital Trust
- Protocols: Buckinghamshire Healthcare
- Protocols: Northern Health and Social Care Trust
- Protocols: NHS Forth Valley
- Protocols: NHS General
- Water Birth Safety Initiative: Essential reading
How to restore your old birth pool to pristine condition
We’ve been supplying water birth pools to hospitals since 1989.
Many of the pools we supplied in the 90’s are still in active service!
We occasionally receive reports that the pools are not looking as clean and bright as they originally were.
Not to worry.
There is a product called tide mark cleaner that was developed for spas and swimming pools.
You can either use it to remove stains or brighten up the appearance of the pool when necessary.
It will restore your pool to pristine condition.
Here’s a link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterline-Cleaning-removes-lines-cleaner/dp/B006DFD7VK
Related information:
Improving Birthing Pool Design: Case Study 18 – Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors
In 1995 we worked with a health service ergonomist and the midwives from Nottingham University Hospital to explore ways in which our water birth pools could be improved to better suit the needs of mothers and midwives.
The results are presented in this publication:
Improving Birth Pooling Design: Case Study 18 – Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors
You will see a photograph of the first ergonomically designed Active Birth Pool taken at Doncaster Hospital in 1995.
Since then we have continued to innovate, improve and evolve incorporating advances in material, engineering and design.
Embracing Simplicity and Excellence in Birthing Pool Design
Applying Steve Jobs Design Principles to Active Birth Pools
The legacy of Steve Jobs, particularly his emphasis on simplicity and attention to detail in design, provides a fascinating lens through which to view the design and functionality of Active Birth Pools.
Jobs’ principles, known for shaping revolutionary Apple products, can also illuminate the excellence of Active Birth Pools’ design and their impact on the birthing experience.
Craftsmanship and Detail: The Apple of Birthing Pools
Active Birth Pools’ commitment to high-quality craftsmanship mirrors Steve Jobs’ insistence on exceptional craft in design.
Each pool, handcrafted by skilled artisans in England, exemplifies the meticulous attention to detail that Jobs championed.
This dedication ensures every aspect of the product meets the highest standards, reflecting Jobs’ belief in the importance of even the unseen details.
Intuitive Simplicity: Design That Understands Its Users
Like Apple’s products, Active Birth Pools are designed with simplicity and intuitiveness in mind.
The pools focus on essential features needed for a safe and comfortable birthing experience, without unnecessary complications.
This approach aligns with Jobs’ philosophy of creating user-friendly designs that are both practical and easy to use, ensuring a smooth experience for mothers and midwives alike.
Ergonomics and Comfort: A Friendly Approach
The ergonomic design of Active Birth Pools, prioritizing the comfort of both mothers and midwives, resonates with Jobs’ principle of creating products that are friendly and empathetic to user needs.
The pools offer various supported positions, ensuring a comfortable experience, much like Apple products are designed for ease of use and user comfort.
Innovative Materials: Pushing Boundaries in Design
Active Birth Pools’ use of Ficore®, a unique composite material, for durability and performance reflects Jobs’ focus on innovative materials.
This choice enhances both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the pools, illustrating Jobs’ principle of using high-quality materials to improve product functionality and longevity.
Safety and Hygiene: A Core Priority
Safety and hygiene are paramount in the design of Active Birth Pools, aligning with Jobs’ emphasis on creating reliable and practical products.
Features like slip resistance and seamless construction ensure the pools are not only aesthetically pleasing but also safe and hygienic, crucial for the healthcare environment.
Modern Features: Enhancing Experience with Technology
The integration of modern features like LED lighting and Bluetooth sound systems in Active Birth Pools showcases a balanced use of technology, similar to Jobs’ approach.
These features enhance the birthing experience without overwhelming it, embodying Jobs’ vision of technology as a complement to user experience, not a complication.
Sustainable Design: Built to Last
The durability and long life expectancy of Active Birth Pools reflect a sustainable approach to design, resonating with Jobs’ principle of creating timeless products.
Their pools are designed to last over 25 years, making them a sustainable choice in the healthcare industry.
In conclusion, the design and functionality of Active Birth Pools can be beautifully understood through the lens of Steve Jobs’ design principles.
The focus on craftsmanship, simplicity, ergonomic comfort, innovative materials, safety, integration of modern features, and sustainability, all reflect Jobs’ iconic design philosophy, making Active Birth Pools a leading choice in maternity care.
See our water birth pools in your delivery room
Would you like to see how our water birth pools would look in your delivery room?
Simply use your phone or tablet and click on this link:
Hint: its best to clear the space of all movable objects before using the 3D Viewer to get a realistic image of what it will look like in situ.
