Answers to the most common questions about the Cura Birth Tub Heater — a CSA-certified birth pool heater that keeps your water warm through all of labor for a home water birth. Can't find your answer? Email support@curabirth.com — a founder replies, usually the same day.
How it works
1. How does the Cura Birth Tub Heater work?
Cura sits outside your pool with just two soft hoses over the rim. A self-priming pump draws water in through the intake hose, warms it as it passes over a thermostatically controlled heating element, and returns it gently to the pool. Dual temperature sensors hold the water at whatever temperature you set — for as long as labor takes.
2. Does it work with my birth pool? What about a regular bathtub?
Yes. Nothing connects to the pool itself — the two 6.5 ft hoses simply hang over the rim of any inflatable or rigid birth pool, and it works just as well with a standard bathtub. If the hose ends reach the water, Cura can keep it warm.
3. Does it fill or drain the pool, or only keep it warm?
It heats, circulates, and drains — filling is the one job left to you. Fill the pool from your tap as usual, then let Cura hold the temperature. Afterward, move the outlet hose to a floor drain, tub, or garden and switch to drain mode: the heating element turns off and the pump empties the pool for you. No buckets.
4. Can it heat a cold pool, or does it only maintain temperature? How fast?
It can do both, but it shines at holding. Cura adds roughly 3–4°F per hour to a typical 100-gallon birth pool, so raising a completely cold pool takes several hours. Our recommended approach: fill with warm tap water, then let Cura hold it there — even through a 20-hour labor.
5. What temperature range does it hold? Can I set it in °F and °C?
You can set any temperature from 86–122°F (30–50°C) in one-degree steps. The display reads in degrees Celsius (°C) — our Birth Pool Temperature Guide includes an easy conversion chart, and most families set 36.5–37.5°C (97–100°F) for birth.
6. What outlet does it need? Do I need any special wiring?
No special wiring. Cura draws a maximum of 12 amps on a normal 120V household circuit and comes with a standard grounded three-prong plug. Plug it into a dedicated grounded GFCI outlet (the kind with TEST/RESET buttons), or pair a standard grounded outlet with a UL-listed GFCI plug-in adapter — under $30 at any hardware store. Never use extension cords or power strips.
7. How much power does it use? Will it affect my electric bill?
The heating element is 1,500W — about the same as a kettle or hair dryer — but it only draws full power while actively heating, then cycles off once the pool reaches temperature. Even a very long labor typically costs a dollar or two in electricity.
8. How loud is it?
A low, gentle hum — quieter than a fan. The pump moves about one gallon per minute, so there are no jets or turbulence in the pool, just a soft, steady flow.
9. How long are the hoses, and where should the unit sit during use?
The two hoses are ~6.5 ft (~2 m) each. The unit itself must stay dry and at least 3.3 ft (1 m) from the pool — wall-mounted at water level, or resting flat on a dry, stable surface where splashes won't reach it. Only the hoses go in the water.
10. Do I have to use the wall mounting kit?
No. The bracket is included for a tidy, semi-permanent setup, but the unit works just as well resting flat on a dry, stable surface at least 3.3 ft (1 m) from the pool.
11. What comes in the box?
The Cura heater and circulator, two 6.5 ft soft hoses, a wall-mount bracket with screws, and a quick-start and safety guide.
Safety and certification
12. Is it safe for mom and baby?
Yes — we designed Cura with safety as the starting point. The heater itself sits outside the pool, and only the two hoses go in. Four automatic protections run in the background — leakage cut-off, overheat cut-off, freeze lockout, and dry-run protection. Water and electricity are still a dangerous combination, so keep the unit dry and away from splashing, always plug into GFCI protection, and read the user manual fully before use. Questions? Email support@curabirth.com — a founder answers.
13. What certifications does it have?
The Cura Birth Tub Heater is CSA certified (certificate #80195478).
14. Can I be in the pool while it is running?
Yes — the Cura Heater is made to run while you're in the pool, and the hoses don't need to be removed before you get in. Do keep an eye on the water with a separate thermometer: water at or above 111°F (44°C) can cause scalding.
15. Should it be turned off for the delivery itself?
That's between you and your midwife — there's no technical reason it must be off, and the gentle flow won't disturb the birth. Many families leave it running so the pool stays warm for those first moments together. If you prefer to switch it off, the pump keeps circulating until the element cools, then it's safe to unplug.
16. Can it overheat the water? What keeps the temperature safe?
Cura can heat up to 122°F (50°C) at its maximum setting — well above typical bath temperature — so set your temperature deliberately and always check with a separate thermometer before anyone enters. Keep the pool below 111°F (44°C) — most families hold 97–100°F. If the water ever feels too hot, get out of the tub and dry your hands before touching the controls.
17. Why does it need a GFCI outlet, and what if I do not have one?
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, and a GFCI (the outlet with TEST/RESET buttons) cuts power in a fraction of a second if a ground fault is detected — so the heater must only be used with GFCI protection. No GFCI outlet near your pool? A UL-listed GFCI plug-in adapter on any grounded outlet does the same job and costs under $30 at any hardware store.
18. What happens if it stops working during labor?
First, the two-minute checks: press RESET on the GFCI, make sure both hose ends are fully under water with no kinks, and switch the unit off and on to re-prime the pump. The user manual has a full troubleshooting section, including what each display code means. If it won't restart, a covered pool loses heat slowly and the traditional stockpot method still works — and email support@curabirth.com so we can make it right.
Using it
19. How long does setup take, and do I need tools?
About 10 minutes, no tools. Hand-tighten the two hoses onto the ports, hang both ends in the pool, plug into GFCI protection, and set your temperature. We do recommend a full practice run well before labor.
20. Do I need a midwife or doula present to use it?
No — Cura is a household appliance, not a medical device, and anyone can operate it after reading the guide. For labor and birth itself, follow the guidance of your midwife or care provider; most keep the pool at 97–100°F for delivery.
21. Can I use it somewhere without hot water, like a van, camper, or off-grid home?
Yes — that's one of its best tricks. Cura needs no plumbing, only water in the pool and a 120V supply that can deliver 12A (1,500W): a household outlet, shore power, a generator, or a suitably sized inverter — always with GFCI protection. Without warm tap water to start from, plan ahead: heating a cold pool takes several hours.
22. How do I clean it after the birth?
Empty the pool with drain mode, then briefly run clean water through the unit, wipe it down, drip-dry the hoses, and store everything dry and frost-free with the hoses coiled loosely. That's it.
23. Can I use it after the birth, for postpartum soaks, a baby pool, or a regular bath?
Please do. It's ideal for postpartum soaks in the birth pool or a bathtub, and it keeps paddling pools comfortable in spring and fall — with children, always under direct adult supervision and with water no warmer than 97°F (36°C). Plenty of families also use it to keep stock-tank water circulating and drinkable on freezing nights.
24. What water temperature is recommended for labor?
Most midwives keep the pool at 97–100°F (36.5–37.5°C) for the birth itself, with some preferring slightly cooler water in early labor. Always confirm with a separate thermometer before anyone enters and follow your midwife's guidance. See our Birth Pool Temperature Guide for the full breakdown.
Preorders
25. When will preorders ship?
We expect units in stock and shipping by the end of September. Preorder now to reserve yours from the first batch — we'll email you the moment your order ships.
26. Am I charged now or when it ships?
You're charged at checkout when you place your preorder — that's what reserves your unit from the first batch. If anything changes before then, you can cancel for a full refund.
27. Can I cancel or change my preorder before it ships?
Yes — email support@curabirth.com any time before your order ships and we'll change or cancel it for a full refund, no questions asked.
28. What if my due date comes before your delivery date?
Email us your due date and we'll do everything we can — priority allocation from the first available batch, and if we can't get a unit to you in time, an immediate full refund.
Rentals
29. How does renting work, start to finish?
Reserve online with your due date, and we ship a professionally sanitized unit timed to arrive about two weeks before you're due. Use it for your birth and recovery, then send everything back in the same box, you are responsible for return shipping.
30. How long is the rental period?
The standard rental is 30 days — roughly two weeks before your due date through two weeks after — which comfortably covers most timing surprises.
31. When does the heater arrive relative to my due date?
Tell us your due date and we will get a unit out to you two weeks before your due date.
32. Is there a deposit, and when is it refunded?
There's no separate deposit — the full rental amount is paid up front. You are responsible for paying the return shipping.
33. What happens if my baby comes late and I need it longer?
No stress — email us and we'll extend your rental in one-week increments for $30 per week. We'll never ask for the unit back before your baby arrives. We reserve the right to charge full price for failure to return a unit using the original payment method.
34. How is each unit sanitized between families?
Every returned unit is flushed, descaled, and sanitized with a hospital-grade disinfectant, then inspected and function-tested before it ships again.
35. What if the unit is damaged or lost during my rental?
Normal wear is expected and covered. Damage beyond that will be charged to the original payment method; if a unit is lost or damaged beyond repair, the replacement cost is charged. Email us first — accidents happen, and we're reasonable people.
36. How do I return it, and who pays return shipping?
You are responsible for the return shipping cost. Drain and dry the unit, then pack the unit and hoses in the original box, attach your label, and drop it off — done.
37. Should I rent or buy?
Buy if you might use it again — a future birth, postpartum soaks, kiddie pools, or resale to another family. Rent if you want it for one birth without keeping the hardware. Either way, the units are identical.
Shipping and delivery
38. Where do you ship?
We ship across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Rental is only available in the USA.
39. How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is free in the continental US. Orders to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and Mexico ship at cost, calculated at checkout.
40. How long does delivery take once shipped?
In-stock orders leave our Texas warehouse within 1–2 business days. Delivery typically takes 3–5 business days in the continental US and 7–14 business days for Canada and Mexico.
41. For Canada and Mexico, who pays customs duties, taxes, and carrier fees?
Our prices don't include import charges. Customs duties, taxes, and any carrier brokerage fees on orders to Canada and Mexico are the customer's responsibility and are collected by the carrier before or at delivery.
42. What happens if I refuse or do not pay customs charges?
If a shipment is refused or abandoned because customs charges weren't paid, the order can't be refunded — the carrier's fees and return costs exceed what we can recover. If you're unsure what your charges will be, email us before ordering and we'll help you estimate them.
Warranty and returns
43. What warranty does the heater come with?
Every Cura heater carries a 1-year warranty against defects. Not covered: submersion, running the pump dry, freezing with water inside, opening or modifying the unit, commercial use, or use outside the user manual. Full terms at curabirth.com.
44. What is your return policy?
Unused units can be returned within 30 days of delivery for a full refund; the customer is responsible for return shipping. Email support@curabirth.com with your order number to start a return.
45. What should I do if my order arrives damaged?
Email support@curabirth.com with your order number and a photo or video of the damage, and we'll ship a replacement right away. Please don't use a unit with a damaged cord, plug, or housing.
For birth professionals
46. Do you offer pricing for midwives, doulas, or birth centers?
Yes. Email support@curabirth.com from your practice and we'll set you up with professional pricing.
47. Can a birth practice rent repeatedly or keep a unit on hand?
Absolutely — many midwives keep a unit or two in their birth kit. Email us about professional pricing, and we'll also walk you through care and sanitization between clients and warranty terms for professional use.
Ordering
48. What payment methods do you accept?
All major credit and debit cards, plus Shop Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay at checkout.
49. How do I contact you with a question that is not answered here?
Email support@curabirth.com — every message is answered by a founder, usually the same day. You can also reach us through the Contact page.