After much thought and heart to hearts with DH. I am getting my homebirth!!!!!!! WOOO

What do I need for a HB?

Been told plastic sheets, old/cheap duvet and towels.

What else do I need? I'm 38+5 so need to get is sorted ASAP.

Thanks

nothing much!
a torch is handy, or a lamp, in case you need to be stitched at all.

erm, hospital bag just in case you need to transfer... also handy because you have everyhitng you need for after the birth right there if you don't use it for hospital.

clothes etc for baby and blankets and somewhere to put it down while you're being cleaned up etc

that's about it really

I have packed my hospital bag so I was just going to leave it packed. Is that a good idea?

yeah you'll have everything you need then,

I had a homebirth for my first 5 weeks ago - it was brill I bought a big sheet from focus that was plastic on one side and absorbant on the other - about £7 I think. Erm, what else? Lots of old/cheap towels, used about 4 and threw out at least 2 of them afterwards. Had a torch for the midwife, but don't remember her using it - was ok with the low level lighting I guess. Although, was knelt over a birthing ball the whole time so wouldn't have noticed I suppose!

Choc biscuits for the midwives I didn't want to eat at all, but had a squeezy water bottle which I reached for between almost every contraction.

What else, what else? It's all becoming a blur already!

oh yeah, because it was my first and I didn't know how I'd be with the pain, I got some pethidine on prescription just to have available in case. Didn't use it in the end and thw midwives chucked it down the sink afterwards.

that is brillaint, if not done so already, get the MWs to book you for homebirth and bring the homebirth kit to you.

keep hospital bag packed, just in case. and as has been said, you know where everything is

old towels and plastic sheets yes.. tea & biccies for MW, bottle of soemthing fizzy on ice for afterwards..

make a sign for the door to stick to it, saying 'do not disturb, birth in progress' so that you don;t get the postie knocking on the door in the middle of it all.

Good for you!

What you may need:
baby clothes kept warm on radiator, and keep the house warm, newborn babies lose their body heat very quickly.
Anglepoise lamp for any stiching you may need afterwards.

I can't remember what else!

I haven't booked it yet Lulu. I have a MW appointment tomorrow morning so I am going to sort it all out then.

Bit worried that she'll say no.

Will get some biscuits too.

She shouldn't say no, she can only recommend against if there is a medical reason why you shouldn't have a homebirth.

If you are healthy and have had a problem free pregnancy, there's usually no reason why you shouldn't have a home birth.

Congratulations on convincing your DH, was it the advice on your other thread that did the trick? I hope we all helped. Now that you are sure, make sure it gets booked with the MW. You don't need to provide much yourself, your MW will probably give you a printout of what you should have (but you probably won't need much of it ) They come round with a HB kit and you just have to have an idea where you think would be best to deliver, I did one in the bedroom and one in the kitchen - I couldn't move to get upstairs. Some people say stay downstairs incase you have to transfer to hospital, they might have difficulty getting you down the stairs. You have all your home comforts and hopefully your DH will be able to get you anything you need.
Basics are protective sheeting for your floor and lots of towels for your baby. Keep your hospital bag handy just in case and have baby's clothes ready ( and champagne in the fridge) GOOD LUCK and let us know how it goes.

There is no medical reason, but I was going to have him at the local hospital's MLU but they close once a week due to staff shortages. So I'm a bit worried she'll say there are no MWs that can come out. Or that I have left it too late to change my mind.

Yeah it was Honey. Thanks ever so much.

I'm probably going for having him in the front room. It'll be best in there as its the biggest room. I'm quite excited now.

I'm really pleased for you, it's great news!!!

I have a bottle of BabyCham in the fridge. Does that count as bubbly?

This list by Mary Cronk covers all the bases (and probably more than you'll need) - go through it with the MW and see what she says.

I had a MASSIVE garden sheet from B&Q (blue thing - costs about a fiver) which covered the entire lounge including all the furniture. All mess very well contained.

If you want a TENS machine you'll need to get it organised - you may be able to rent from the MWs so ask tomorrow.

Definitely have a proper hospital bag packed - I'd left toiletries and stuff out, then had to transfer in after the birth and (unsuprisingly) they didn't get put in. Looking back I should have got some travel size basics so I had something in the hospital shower...

If they say no due to staffing issues, try not to get too upset and don't get into an argument (unless you really feel like it!). I'd leave it along the lines of you appreciate things may have to change, but you'd like to plan for a homebirth for now. There are ways and means to pretty much ensure you get a homebirth, but if that's the party line then the MW is unlikely to change her mind and you'll just get your blood pressure up... leave gracefully and deal with it later

I'm so excited for you . Even though I did have to transfer in, I still don't regret bithing at home for a single second and, medical necessity permitting, I'd do the same for any future babies I might have

I have a TENS machine so that is all sorted.

Bag is all packed with toiltries and everything you are meant to pack for a hospital birth so I am going to leave it packed just incase.

As long as I don't go into labour tonight I'll be fine(I think)

Great news on your decision.

Lots of tea and biccies is important. YOu would not believe how much they get through :}

I got cheap plastic sheets from B&Q and put old duvet covers on top for comfort then threw it all out afterwards.

Good luck

Its all booked. MW was fine with it all. She is going to come round tomorrow to do risk assessment(providing he doesn't come today).

I need to have a scan which she is going to try and rush through.

So I now feel a lot less nervous about him coming now I know we don't have to try and get to the hospital.

That's great, hope it all goes well.

Well MW came this afternoon. The front room is fine, plenty of space etc.

I can't have him tonight or tomorrow as they are short staffed. If he does come I need my mum to try to get me to Scarborough or I have to ring an ambulance. But the ambulance won't take DH with me so I am not keen on that idea at all as he has no way of getting to the hospital.

So fingers crossed for anyday from Sunday onwards. Infact Sunday would be perfect.

Indeed you do! Mine arrived at 37+6! 2 weeks early and in less than 4hrs! Raspberry leaf tea is the answer! Just pack a back for Justin Case as I wish I had as had to be transferred for stitching and my husband packed a bag in a last minute fluster of absolutely useless stuff - You will need plenty of knickers, pads, nappies, clothes for baby and nightwear for yourself. Anything else hubby can get from hosp shop/s'market. In spite of the transferring bit homebirths are great - would do it all again! Good luck!