Homebirthers - Remind Me...

[JM]

...What supplies will I need to get in ready for homebirthing?

I know I need plenty of old sheets but I didn't have any so I bought a load of 2nd hand sheets and duvet covers at a charity shop today and i've just boil washed them ready I also got a bucket for the placenta and tomorrow i'll go and buy a load of polythene dust sheets.

By means of explanation, as of last Thursday I was allowed to homebirth 37wks+ but my midwife could not come before to do my birthplan and go over things as she has been on long term sick leave. She is coming Monday and I want to be as ready as I can be so she can see whats what.

Is there anything else you can think of?

TIA

[JulieD]

We have:
flashlight
bulb syringe
lots of plastic bags (both kitchen size and yard size)
heating pad
towels/wash cloths (more if water birth)
gatorade for Mom
chux pads
reusable ice packs for keeping swelling down after birth
newborn clothes/diapers
plastic sheet (like for shower) for under birth-set of sheets (and then sleep set under that)
video camera - I rewatch Jireh's birth over and over still
small crock pot or thermos with really warm water (helps w/ stretching so you don't tear during crowning... we didn't have a wash cloth warm enough - ).

Oh, and:
receiving blankets (the heating pad is to warm them up)
hydrogen peroxide (a few small bottles or one big one)
mirror to see the baby crown
oil for the baby's bum so meconium doesn't stick (and good for crowning too)
roll of toilet paper or box of Kleenex (not sure what this is for, we've never used it both times)

I gathered a few things on my own violition like the birth ball, heating/sand thingie for your shoulders/neck, our Birth Partner book (DH is less than prepared as always). Labor was pretty quick for me this time so honestly I didn't use just about anything except a chair in our bedroom. I didn't want to be anywhere else or sit anywhere else or have anyone's help - pretty different than last time but I was more sure of what I wanted, able to kick people out if I wanted, etc. so I just got comfy and made it work.

That's all I can think of the second time around...

CAN'T wait to hear how things go for you JM, .
~Julie

[JM]

I've got most of that stuff ready in my hospital bag that i've had ready for months 'just in case' but I will make a note to get some oil as that meconium is a bugger to get off!

Thanks!!!!!

[JulieD]

You need to bring all that stuff to the hospital?

You are prepared if you have it all then - - (we used the oil (which is good for all of their skin actually) until he started having bf poops and it was awesome! Makes the normally tarry stuff wipe right off. ). Happy birthing JM!
~Julie

[JM]

Things like the towels/washcloths, clothes, gatorade, nappies, camera, blankets, birthball etc are all packed. Cos I had Jacob at 34 weeks I had to pack my bag early incase I had another early bird but I am now classed as term at 37 weeks - yay!

The rest of the stuff I have hanging around the house like a torch, plastic bags etc. I know the midwife brings 'maternity packs' which have the disposable absorbant sheets and all the stuff they use that is thrown away when baby is born. I'm hoping they'll deliver some gas and air (entonox) next week and i've just hired a tens machine.

I think I am pretty much ready to go!!!!

[CodeNameMom]

JulieD summed it up pretty good. I can tell you the klenex or tp is very valuable if you have a mother who is sobbing. I had alot of family who was just all teared up. I didn't cry but everyone else needed the tissues.

[Maribeth]

Adding a couple of responses from email:

Anne - One thing I really loved after delivery was sanitary pads, soaked with witch hazel and pre-frozen in zip-lock bags. I coined them "frozen treats" and putting them on was soothing and helped prevent swelling.

Tammie - After my last home birth a very close friend of mine dropped off a huge basket of fruit! Bananas, grapes, apples, kiwi, oranges, & more bananas... While in the bath right after delivery I totally devoured the entire basket! It was delicious! This time, I will have on hand a basket of fruit solely for that purpose!