Birth Pool & Labour Comfort Rentals in Nelson, BC: Everything You Need to Know
If you're preparing for birth in Nelson, BC or anywhere across the West Kootenays, one of the best things you can do is think about what labour comfort tools you want in your birth space.
The equipment you have access to during labour can genuinely change your experience. A birth pool can turn an intense contraction into something more manageable. A TENS Machine can help you cope at home in early labour before heading to the hospital. A peanut ball can support optimal positioning when you're resting between contractions. These aren't luxury add-ons - they're practical, evidence-based tools that give you more options and movement in your labour. Movement = progress!
I offers birth pool and labour comfort equipment rentals for families in Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Rossland, Salmo, Kaslo, Nakusp, and across the West Kootenays - whether or not you're working with me as your birth doula. Here's a run-down of what rentals are available, how rentals work, and why these tools are worth considering for your birth.
White Birth Pool Rental
This is the rental I get the most questions about (and the one families tend to get most excited about)!
Most inflatable birth pools on the market are blue. They work fine for labouring and birthing in water, but they cast a noticeable blue-toned reflection on your skin, the water, and your baby. If you've ever seen birth photography taken in a blue pool, you'll notice the colour shift - everything takes on a cool, clinical tone that doesn't reflect what the moment actually felt like.
The surface of a white birth pool reflects natural light softly, producing warm, true-to-life tones. The water looks clear. Your skin looks like your skin. And the overall aesthetic is calm, warm, and intentional - which matters whether or not you're having your birth photographed. Aside from aesthetics, white birth pools also give your midwife a better visual gauge to monitor any postpartum bleeding.
Did I mention it has cup holders!? 🥤
I offer two packages:
The Essential Package ($175) includes the white inflatable birth pool, fast inflation pump (inflates in about 6 minutes), clean water hose, tap adapters, single-use disposable liner, debris net, and an emergency patch kit. This is a great option if you already have some supplies on hand, like your own hose for emptying or a floor cover.
The Complete Package ($250) includes everything in the Essential Package plus a quiet submersible water pump for emptying, dirty water hose, easy clean-up kit, protective floor cover, handheld mirror, collapsible bucket, water scoop, and twinkle lights. This is the "I don't want to think about logistics on birth day" package, everything you need for setup, use, and takedown in one kit.
Both packages include a sealed, single-use hygienic liner and single-use debris net, and every pool is cleaned and sanitized with hospital-grade supplies between rentals.
It's Not Just for Home Births
One thing families don't always realize: if you're under midwifery care, you may be able to bring a birth pool to Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson, BC or Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail, BC for labouring or a water birth. It's worth chatting with your midwife or maternity care provider about their policies - and if the answer is yes, I can help make it happen.
A Note for Birth Photography
If you're planning to have your birth photographed, whether by me or another photographer, pool colour makes a real difference in the quality of those images. Blue pools require significant colour correction in post-processing, and the results still look cooler and less natural. A white pool gives your photographer warm, clean light to work with from the start. It's one of those small details that has a big impact on the images you'll look back on for years.
TENS Machine Rental — $80
A TENS (stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) Machine is a small, portable device that sends gentle electrical pulses through pads on your lower and mid-back to help reduce pain sensations during contractions. It's drug-free, non-invasive, and gives you control over your own pain management. TENS Machines are an excellent tool to have on hand for early labour at home before you head to the hospital (or before your doula arrives!). The TENS machine intensity can be adjusted based on the intensity of the sensations you’re experiencing and what you need in the moment.
Many families I work with find TENS most helpful during early labour at home, when contractions are building but it's not quite time to head to the hospital. It can help you stay comfortable and confident at home longer, which often leads to a smoother transition when you do leave for the hospital.
My TENS Machine rental comes with everything you need - the TENS unit (specific for labour use!), single-use set of pads, and a quick-start guide. I carry the OBI TENS and Elle TENS units, models are subject to availability.
TENS Machine rentals are available from 37 weeks through birth.
Birth Ball & Peanut Ball Set — $50
Two essential positioning tools in one rental:
The Birth Ball (a large exercise ball sized for labour, but sized to promote ideal pelvic positioning) supports upright positioning, pelvic opening, gentle bouncing/rocking, and circular hip movements during contractions. Many birthing people find that sitting or swaying on a birth ball is one of the most instinctive and comfortable things to do during active labour. Leaning forward over a birth-ball is one of my favourite, upright labour positions to help baby engage in the top of the pelvis. 🤍
The Peanut Ball is shaped like a peanut and is used between your knees while lying on your side, or can be straddled and used as a seat for upright, but supported positions. It helps create space in the pelvis and supports optimal baby positioning - and it's especially helpful during longer labours, while resting between contractions, or if you have an epidural and want to continue encouraging baby's descent. 🥜
Both are useful during pregnancy too - not just labour. Many families start using the birth ball in the weeks leading up to their due date for comfort, positioning practice, and pelvic floor engagement.
The Birth Ball & Peanut Ball set are available for rent from 37 weeks through birth.
The Birth Sling — $80
The Birth Sling was created by osteopath and birth worker Dr. Jess Michaels, and it's one of my favourite tools to recommend for active labour.
It supports upright and mobile labour positions no matter where you choose to birth at home, at Kootenay Lake Hospital, or anywhere else. It helps you sway, squat, lean, and rest between contractions while keeping you mobile and supported. The Birth Sling comes with an easy over-the-door anchor that works over any door that closes, or locks securely. Many families find it eases pelvic pressure, encourages baby's positioning, and - here's the part birth partners appreciate - gives them a break from physically holding you up during long labours.
If you've ever seen someone labouring while leaning into a suspended fabric sling and thought "that looks like it would feel amazing" - this is that tool. The Birth Sling is also an incredible labour prep tool, which is why my rentals start at 37 weeks - giving you plenty of time to play around with positioning, and support optimal positioning for baby leading up to birth.
The Birth Sling is available for rent from 37 weeks through birth.
How Booking Works
The rental process is designed to be simple:
Submit a rental request. Fill out the form on my rentals page and let me know what you're interested in and your estimated due date. I'll check availability and get back to you within 1–3 business days.
Lock in your booking. Once we've confirmed availability, you'll receive a rental agreement and a deposit invoice. A 50% deposit holds your spot, with the remaining 50% due by 36 weeks (rentals totalling under $100 before tax will be invoiced in full at the time of booking).
Receive your rental at 37 weeks. Equipment is available for pickup in Nelson, BC or delivery within 50km for a small fee. If you're in Castlegar, Trail, Salmo, or elsewhere in the West Kootenays, we'll figure out a plan that works.
Use it, love it, return it after baby arrives. No rush on returns - once your baby is here and you've had time to settle in, reach out and we'll arrange pickup or you can drop off in Nelson.
Who Can Rent?
Anyone! You don't need to be a birth support client to rent equipment. Whether you're working with me as your doula, working with another doula, or planning to birth with your own support team, these tools are available to any family preparing for birth in the West Kootenays.
That said, if you are a birth support client, discounts on rentals are available - just one more benefit of working together ✨
Why I Started Offering Rentals
Honestly? Because I kept seeing families who wanted access to comfort tools but didn't know where to find them locally, couldn't justify investing in equipment they'd use once, or didn't realize these options even existed.
Birth Pools, TENS Machines, and positioning tools aren't extras. They're part of a well-supported birth. And in a smaller community like the West Kootenays, where options can feel limited, I wanted to make sure families had access to high-quality, beautiful, well-maintained equipment without the barriers of cost or availability.
Every item is cleaned and sanitized between rentals. Every rental comes with clear instructions, and if you have questions about setup or how to use something, I'm only a text away 🙂
Ready to Build Your Birth Toolkit?
Browse the full details and pricing on my Birth Equipment Rentals page, or go ahead and submit a rental request to check availability for your due date.
Not sure what you need? Book a free consultation and we can talk through what tools might be the best fit for your birth plan and planned place of birth - no pressure, let’s chat!
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