Checklist for a homebirth

[thereisalightanditnevergoesout]

I'm planning a homebirth (baby due 31/12/10) - I've had 2 before.

In the past I've been given a list of things to get ready for a homebirth from the MWs but I haven't had one this time (and I had one of those 3am moments this morning when I remembered!)

I remember that I need plastic sheeting (which I have)
Old towels
An angle poise lamp

Can anyone think of anything else?

Thanks in advance.

Nice food in for brekkie and for a cup of tea for the midwives!

Are you planning a water birth? If so, you need a big hand mirror and a sieve. And a pool, obviously!!

Otherwise, towels and plastic sheeting should cover it.

A sieve??? Yikes.

Roll of bubble wrap of the type used to insulate greenhouses - very much better than sheeting as it's not so slippy when wet.

Tin of chocolate biscuits.

Apple juice in little cartons for transition power surge.

Moses basket, crib or carrycot all made up with sheets, baby shawl, and outfit for baby (vest, babygro, bootees, hat, cardigan) (good if clothes can be aired on radiator while you're in labour).

Changing mat, nappies and wipes/cotton wool.

Spare pillows and big cushions.

One or two face flannels.

Maternity towels and Femepad.

Laptop with contraction timer programme on as well as MN live labour thread open

Someone to occupy your older DCs, so you/DH aren't distracted at inconvenient moments, and to seamlessly take over should you need a hospital transfer (which I hope you don't!)

Well - I have a good friend 5 minutes round the corner on standby in case of transfer - we also have some family at the other end of town who could be here in 10.

I have my iPhone with a contraction timer (and access to MN!!)

Will have nice tea (in a pot with a cosy) and nice breakfast and will also provide a bed for MW (as she's a relative!!). But hadn't thought of nice food - so will go and sort that out.

Hadn't thought of the bubble wrap stuff... sounds like a good idea.

No - not having a water birth (I was put off by the video we were shown at antenatal classes when expecting DD1 - it was the sieve that did it, funnily enough !!).

Have got stuff for the baby - and maternity pads for me.

On a highly practical and hopefully unneeded note, pack a small hospital bag. Pop it in a cupboard, under the stairs, away from sight.

Hope you have a wonderful, straightforward birth.

I LOVE homebirths!

MarsLady for the first time ever, I have packed a hospital bag (I did it when I had to have an ECV - just in case I had to stay in - and it's still there).

I feel quite organised and ready now, really. Of course, he'll be overdue and I'll be sitting here twiddling my thumbs...

If you have a water birth it is less humilating crapping in the water and seiving it out (there won't be much anyway) than crapping on dry land and the mw having to wipe your arse for you. Believe me.

Honestly, birthing pools are quite fabulous and you don't have to actually give birth in there.

Yes - I know (I speak from experience) I've pooed everytime and as I mentioned earlier, MW is a relative - so it's doubly humiliating - but somehow, I've managed to blot it out afterwards. Though, leading up to the birth, it's the thing that bothers me the most.

I was very nearly tempted with a birthing pool this time - just for the experience - and this'll be the last time - I suspect I've left it a bit late to organise, though.

Just order one of these.

Simples. You can sell it again afterwards, or use it as a paddling pool.

I'm tempted...

So I just need the pool - do I need anything else (kitwise)? Apart from the sieve, of course.

Big packs of those inco pads (from the chemist) are also useful to sit/lay on in bed afterwards in case of any leaks.

A camera!

I second the birth pool idea, it was bliss for me - I basically had an enormous paddling pool with deep sides.

Ah, getting in to the birth pool was one of the best moments of my life! So warm and floaty and supportive! Wonderful!

It's always a good idea to have a hospital bag packed anyway (or even a box) so you've got all the stuff you need to hand even if you stay home.

I had one of those birth pools in a box, didn't think I would use it but let DH fill it just in case. The gas and air ran out just as he had got the temperature right so I leapt in and DD2 was born about 3 contractions later!
I really felt myself relax as soon as I got in, it really was bliss.
I got mine from eBay but to get it quickly you probably need to go direct now. Or you can have mine if you're near bucks :)

Lots and lots of towels and make sure the heating is on constatnt once you're in labour.

Here are pictures of everything

The tap connector is the hardest thing to find and absolutely crucial to operations, so make sure you have ordered a universal one. An electric pump is also very useful, otherwise it will take you all evening to fill the thing, and a submersible pump is good for emptying it afterwards. These things are all available in their Standard Kit 3 - Filling and Emptying, so I would strongly recommend you order that on top of your pool.

It is possible to fill the pool up and use it for relaxation during late pg, and I spent a long time sitting in it during the evenings watching TV, which was really good.

Best deal

I'm hoping for a home birth but know that the final go-ahead will only happen at 37 weeks. How long do these pools take for delivery? There is a pool for hire from the midwife group but it can't be guaranteed, and as one reason I'd like a home birth is to know for certain that a pool will be available, buying one seems to be safest. I'm nervous of it not arriving in time though if I can only order at 37 weeks!

You can take these pools into most hospitals, but tbh if you want a HB they can't stop you and a mw must attend. Obviously if you are having breech twins or live on Orkney or have sky-high BP there are a number of reasons why this might be a less than perfect idea, but essentially if you want a HB nobody has to give you the 'go-ahead' - it's up to you.

PrivetDancer - I never said thank you for your offer of birthpool - it was really kind of you - thank you (but I am in Norfolk!) and I've dithered a bit about the birthpool and now not sure what to do at all and don't know whether to go ahead and order one or not!!

If you wanted to sell yours - someone just posted a thread about buying one here. Don't know if you're interested but thought I'd mention it.

I think the Norwich Home Birth group have a pool you can borrow if you're in Norfolk. You can contact them through the local NCT.

Energy drinks / glucose tablets - I ran out of these and it was a nightmare.

LOTS of biscuits for your midwives. And plenty of tea bags etc, all laid out on the counter so they can make themselves (or you) a cuppa without having to ferret about for everything.

Fridge full of nice food so you don't have to leave the house for the next few days!

Ooh - that's a good idea - I didn't even know there was a Norwich Home Birth group - will have a go at that tomorrow - thank you!

Yes - will go to shop for supplies for breakfast and biscuits and get my teapot (with tea cosy!) out for MWs and they can elp themselves. Good idea.

We've got tons of treats and things in still from Christmas (sweets and drinks) so should be fine.

Thank you!

Checklist - we had a trial for filling the pool two weeks before so DP was prepared. The NCT deliver pools pretty quickly I understand but we borrowed one. If you borrow one make sure that the liner you order fits the pool!!

I discovered during our trial run that they had changed the design 3 times recently and we were a little stressed by that but had a spare we were given.

Oh and something to get the cooler water out of the pool with when topping up.

I stuck a what to do list on the fridge as we had the pool in the kitchen and so DP knew he had to clean floors remove stuff form surfaces etc etc..must go and take it down. He had all the Xmas day Washing up to do on Boxing Day morning when I went into labour..

Best advice I can give is pack your hospital bag. One for you and one for Baby with the List of what in it. So when you have delivered everyone knows where everything is and if you have to go in your are all prepared. I used the list on MN.

Good luck. Having the pool and the baby at home is the best choice you can make.

BTW The Midwifes said that they hadn't eveb got the gas and air out for anyone for months!!

I am near Huntingdon and have a pool you could buy if you wish. Has everything you need including sieve lol (was not needed :-) the only thing you would need to buy is a new length of hose. You could collect this weekend should you wish. Message me if you need it.

I'm so envious that you didn't need the sieve!

Although Huntingdon is not so far - I'm not sure I'm up for the drive (DH doesn't drive!) and I don't know if I've got time to organise it all (due today). But I really appreciate the offer - thank you.

Someone was looking for one on here. Did you see the thread? Will have a look for it for you.