Eeek! Midwife has brought the 'Home Birth Box'!!

[AhCheeses]

She brought it round and casually said 'have a route through it, see whats in there. Obviously keep it somewhere safe, away from DS as there are sharp bits in there'....
I can't bring myself to look in it! Suddenly feels very real that this baby is very close to arriving... at home!
I'm really excited but so nervous at the same time, someone please come and hold my hand and reassure me I'm normal for feeling a tiny bit sick!

Just me then......?

Oooh. Exciting! But also sick-making, you are indeed correct :)
I didn't get my hb as I went too overdue (DD is 8 weeks old on Sunday) but good luck and I hope it all goes really well for you. What pain coping techniques are you using?

I'm jealous you got a box! My mw just popped over, told me to get some old towels, sheets and a lamp! I think on the actual day they brought gas & air (eventually!), scissors, pads, resus equipment, needles and syringes, erm..... oh and 2 hours after i gave birth they gave me some leaflets on contraception and exercise classes

I know how you feel. I'm 31 weeks and it is really sinking in now that childbirth is coming really soon. Try turning the nervousness into more excitement, and read up on some really positive, rewarding birth stories (Ina May Gaskin?).
My last baby DS2 was born at home. Laboured through the night with my partners support, doing whatever I felt, and called midwives for the last hour. Much better than going to hospital.
Don't worry too much about all the kit- it's likely that only gloves and a cord clamp will actually be needed.
Good luck .

How much do you actually have to read up about home births?
I've hardly read much, just kind of expecting it to be like labouring at home with DS but then just not going anywhere later on rather than deciding when to go to the hospital... am I naive?

I'm just planning on gas and air, TENS and pethadine if I really need something more.
DS was back to back and I was in labour for 5 days and got by on only gas and air and 2 pethadine jabs.
The first one was fine, the second one sent me a bit nutty and I totally lost control and focus, really don't want that this time round.
Plus DS will be one of the first people to see his little brother and I really don't want him seeing me in complete space cadet mode!

Really want to look through the box but it makes my stomach flip when I think about it! (and its not the baby wriggling!)
What am I going to find in there....?

Got mine today too but not such a good experience (here)

Have had a nosy in the bag though and its very exciting, notes, needles, pads etc. Its a huge bag too!

When are you due? I'm 4th Nov

AhCheeses did you know that if you want pethidine you need a prescription from your GP and get it in advance, at least thats what its like here. I'm not getting it but MW mentioned it today

I got my box this week too but haven't opened it!
It does have a note on saying no inko pads (inco pads?) which is a bit worrying - I hope they'll bring some on the day!

Oo, er, I never got one!

Any meptid in there?

or any gas and air we could have a little try of?

Oh Terrys, thats harsh isn't it!?
Hope its not made you doubt your decision for a home birth?
Oh, and I have a confession... I'm a name changer, I was on the Due November board but it just moved too fast for me!
I'm due 16th Nov, really hoping he's early though, novelty has worn off now!

pettyprudence, how did you feel not having 'the box'? I think I'd fret more if I knew they were going to bring stuff with them just incase they didn't come or something!

There's a brill sheet on the top of the box, like a quilted blanket with rubbery backing, its hiding everything underneath!
Looks like there's a whole roll of yellow bags in there, I can see them through the side...
Oh how silly is this!?
Its just a box of stuff, its not going to attack me if I look is it!?

Sorry, made a cup of tea half way through writing that last post!

No Terrys, didn't know about the prescription, will text MW tomorrow and ask her... thanks!

Mashpot, glad I'm not the only one who hasn't looked!
Don't know if I'd last a week though!

Lynette, you're almost convincing me to look! The promise of a bottle of G&A would have me tearing the box open!

Why wouldn't you look???

I really don't know! I think just seeing all the bits there, ready, makes me feel all nervous!

I'm so excited about having a homebirth and meeting our little man, but that box just makes me feel so fizzy and nervous!

eeeeeeeee it's so exciting when it arrives isn't it!! I don't think I ever really had a root around in mine for DC1 but getting one delivered this week for DC2...let the countdown begin!!

If you have a good pregnancy massage therapist of reflexologist near you, take DH along for a session - DS's birth the absolute best pain relief I had was from the massage and pressure points provided by DH

Prob best not to look. Mine had forceps, episimotomy scissors, the lot- not for the fainthearted!

Oooh TENS machine arrived this morning!
More exciting by the day!

I have a fab reflexologist who comes out to my house every two weeks, might have to make sure DH is around next week when she's here! Thanks for the tip.
Was thinking of seeing if she'd come out during early labour, never thought of her teaching DH!

Are you having 2nd homebirth Girl?
I had an awful hospital birth with DS so this is all new to me this time. Looking back I was totally clueless last time!

Are they able to use forceps at home!?
Would have thought they would transfer to hospital before that point!?