Was wondering if any ladies who have had a water birth at a birthing centre would mind giving me a list of things required?

Every other list i've seen seems so long and for a LONGER hospitial stay. Obviously if everything goes to plan and i'm allowed to birth at the birthing centre, this means no complications & i wont need 2/3 days worth of bits and bobs.

My appologies if there is a similar thread - couldn't find one!

Thanks in advance Ladies.

search the archives , there are lots of good lists for birthing bag contents.

your basic kit should be something to wear in the pool if you want to keep your top covered, i.e tankini top.. a nightie or soemthing in case you want to birth elsewhere and odn;t want to be naked

big cotton knickers and maternity pads for afterwards

breast pads

clean nighties for after and some loose fitting clothes for going home in

snacks and drinks

babygros and nappies for your baby

camera,phone,some money

sure there must be more, but those items spring to mind!

I had two bags - one for if I was in and out, and the other one was in the boot of the car for if I got admitted.
Lulumama has covered the basics there. My 'second' bag basically had more of that stuff in it - about three days worth!
And I totally recommend wearing a tankini top in the pool. All the freedom of nakedness without the acutal nakedness.
Good luck!

a towel?

I didn't have a water birth but I was booked into and started off at my birthing centre....ended up ill in hospital for 2 weeks! But you really only need to prepare for a minimal stay as long as your DP knows where to grab the things you and the baby will need if you do have to stay in longer. Assuming that you don't live too far away from the centre you shouldn't need to pack much at all really.

Essentials for afterwards:

Breast pads
Maternity pads
2 baby vests
2 babygros
4-5 nappies
A couple of bibs
Cotton wool
A hat
A shawl or something to take the baby outside in
Lots of pants for you
A towel and some toiletries
Clean pyjamas/nightie
Slippers
Carseat

I don't think there are that many essentials for the actual birth TBH. I found I didn't touch much of what I had taken. Some food for DH was useful, plus my TENS machine and a couple of music CDs.

LOL at Towel... The funny thing is, i wouldn't have even THOUGHT Of that!!!

Thanks ladies! x

towels ! yes and toiletries, for that post birth bath..

Stupid question, but if giving birth in a pool, where does one go for a post birth bath?

Is one allowed essential oil? A lavender bath would be soooo nice

into the bathroom, a birth pool is not the same as a bath

also, the pool will be full of post birth detritus

you will need to check about using essential oils in the pool itself, but they can be really useful in labour

I can't recall if the bathroom has a bath, i think in my birthing centre a shower is the post birth option. Will have to wait till home for a bath. However, your birthing centre may well be different!

I'm pretty sure you can't use anything in the water of the pool itself, but i'm sure you can burn/massage oils perhaps?

Hi rrrayray - why not check with the birthing centre? Mine gave us a bathrobe and towels.

When having a bath, do make sure that someone checks on you though (DH if possible as midwives might be too busy). I had a fantastic water birth but was quite cold after so had a hot bath. I remember getting up to pull the plug and next thing I know I woke up lying in the bath. Thankfully I had already pulled the plug!! I didn't mean to scare you but just to make you aware that you may feel dizzy after the birth bath and someone should come and check if you are alright whilst having your bath and maybe help you get up / out of it.

Otherwise, enjoy. It was a fab birth, well, as fab as births can go really {grin}

TOWELS!!! Don't assume if you are going for a water birth they will provide you with any - I had one a few months ago, although just ended up delivering on dry land - got out feeling cold and shivery and demanding a towel - the midwife looked a bit sheepish as she handed me a handtowel....which barely covered one breast. Oh and bobbles/clips for your hair if its long. Good luck!

ooooh thanks ladies, hadn't really thought about the towel situation... will ask at next midwife appointment.

schnullerbacke will def keep the dizzyness in mind, and have told OH not to leave me alone without checking on me!

One of the best tips I'd really recommend is a six-pack of small spring waters (Evian etc) and a few bendy straws so you can be fed.

Plus a couple of dressing gowns. I had to keep getting out during the part I laboured in the water, to be cheked, have an ARM and having a dry(er) one in rotation makes it a big more pleasant.

or even a bit