Any tips for what to have in for a home birth

[bezzyk]

Hello, apologies if this has been covered before. I'm almost 38 weeks pregnant and hope to have a planned home birth.

Does anybody have any pearls of wisdom as to anything I should have in, or anything to make the whole experience a little more special?

I've got the birth pool inflated, the clothes washed and a box of fancy biscuits for the midwives, but that's about it!

Any advice gratefully received!

A plastic jug by the loo(s) to pour tepid water over your fanjo while you wee in the days after the birth. Makes it all much more bearable.

Your labour snacks sorted?

thanks hetty! I have the mother load of cereal bars and several loaves of malt loaf.....hard to know what you'll feel like....

Have you got any shower curtains to lay on the floor/bed, (sofa in my second case, floor for my third ) in case you don't want to give birth in the pool.

Good thinking having the pool already inflated by the way, I bought one and never used it as I couldn't be bothered with faffing with it once I got going.

I bought decorators polythene dust sheets, covered my mattres then lay my flat sheet on top.
Get all your old mangy towels to the ready, there's nothing scary than watching DH walk in mid labour with the white fluffy guest towells.
Any soiled linen wash at 40 degrees, if still marked second wash at 60.
Good luck it can be a fantastic experience.

A sieve! Also make sure you have plenty of hot water available (we forgot to change the timer and actually had to boil the kettle )

A mirror so the midwife can see what is happening if you are kneeling or squatting - we just got a cheap one from the pound shop.

Also get some music sorted so you don't have to think about it on the day.

We also bough champagne but I didn't feel like drinking it after the birth!!

drinking straws so DP can feed you cold drinks.

bananas
A big soft fluffy towel warming on the radiator for wrapping baby in
we did the whole candle lit, birthing pool scenario and it was brilliant. would definitely go for this again if i have any more!
PS i would recommend having a camera ready. I never would have thought i'd wanted to but my midwife suggested taking pictures of birth and i'm really glad to have them now... very special. (only very few privileged people have viewed them obviously... not everyone has been treated to pics of my bumhole!!!

I had bubble wrap on the floor for first one but the popping was a bit annoying so went and bought cheap shower curtains from Asda for second and this was better...actually second was less 'messy' so didn't really need much in terms of floor coverage.

Had a futon with the end propped up to give birth on and this was great for leaning over as I gave birth.

I would recommend high energy drinks (personally like the non fizzy lemon lucozade) as didn't really feel like eating but needed energy.

Also a little lamp or torch the midwife can use so you don't have to ruin the mood with full lights blazing.

Oh and finally put heating and hot water on as soon as things kick off so your house is nice and toasty. Good luck!

Soiled linen - don't wash at 40, that'll just set the stains! Wash cold first then hot, is no different from period pants really.

Hobnobs :)

A bottle of hydrogen peroxide solution from the chemist for any stray stains. And oxy bleach for the laundry.
Oh, essential oils for room scenting stuff. I used clary sage, geranium and lavender, but start with some on a hanky before you put them on for the whole room (if you bother with that, you can just sniff the hanky), in case you can't handle the smell.
Plenty of cushions and birth ball for early labour (it's ever so comfy to sit on the ball in front of a bed or table with a few pillows on to rest your head)

Ooh warmed fluffy dressing gown for straight after the birth when you get out of the pool. And nighties that button through the front for feeding and skin to skin.

We set the moses basket up in the front room where I laboured, so sheets and blankets for that, as well as baby clothes and nappies ready to go.

plus towels, shower curtain, extra pillows/cushions, birthing ball, juggling balls (good to distract yourself in early labour - not juggling! just throwing between hands or squeezing and counting/naming colours or similar), cold wet flannels...

We also had hot water bottles and a torch in case of power cut (they weren't used)

I also kept my hospital bag downstairs which meant post birth finding pants and a feeding bra was easy.

fantastic suggestions! thanks so much, esp love the dressing gown idea (and hobnobs of course )

Angle poise lamp for MW (in case you need stitching)
Non slip bath mat for outside of pool
Old duvet to go under pool to make the floor softer on your knees
Acres of Kitchen towel (juan sheet is not plenty!)
Piles of old towels

A hot water bottle under my back really kept me going with my home labour.

Lavender bath stuff for afterwards.

I had a little step thing I climbed on to get into the pool - and actually ended up being my birthing stool too.

cheap duvet for the floor to soften it - I got a king from one of the supermarket value ranges and doubled it over

Buckets. To be sick in for first one and then second time midwives wanted me to try to wee and I couldn't begin to contemplate walking to the bathroom! Luckily there was a bucket right there!

Bacon, for sandwiches after the birth - enough for you and all attendants. Bottle of champagne. Camera.

Lots of towels. (you may want to get in and out of pool). Have you thought how you will fill and empty it? Torch and mirror could help m/wife check you.

I have a proper list somewhere. I will have a search tomorrow.

oh yes... a little plastic step stool. I ended up sitting on an upturned washing up bowl in the pool. Served its purpose I suppose!
my midwives had torch and mirror but wouldn't hurt to have on hand just in case.
def agree with at least some bread for toast afterwards. bacon even better though!

at the risk of destroying the ambiance - a packed labour bag and a warm dressing gown for travel to hospital should it be necessary. And a set of baby clothes, blanket and car seat for the baby in case a transfer is after the birth.

I have had 3 births, two of them lovely birth pool home births. But DC3 arrived after shoulder dystocia and with a hand by her face, so I needed to go into hospital to be stitched up.

Baby and I travelled by ambulance together, her in the car seat, me sitting (gingerly) in the ambulance, wrapped in my dressing gown. I was very glad for my packed labour bag!