Home Birth Question - what do I need?

[sarahlou1uk]

Hi. I'm expecting my 2nd child in 7 weeks and am planning on a home birth. I have bought a pool, a TENS machine, some cheap shower curtains from ASDA and a cheap duvet like other mums have suggested. Just wondering if there is anything else I might need. I have lots and lots of bedding and towels so I don't need any more of these. I wonder if any experienced home birthers out there could advise me if I have missed anything!

The only thing the MW told me to buy was plastic dust sheet thing...which you've replaced with shower curtains.

Some posh biscuits to eat with the niciest cup of tea you'll ever drink after the birth might be good too....

Hi sarahlou, am in same position except loads less organised in that haven't bought anything! I was looking on an old thread about this and somebody raised a good point about the shower curtains: unless they are the absolutely definitely waterproof ones, rather than that sort of nylon-y material, then you will want to get some plastic dust sheets too, so that your floor is properly waterproofed.

Which pool did you go for? Assuming you have tested it (my friend's one sprang a leak!), are you happy with it?

A hot water bottle comes in handy, press it on your lower abdomen when you are having contractions.
Also a sponge and bowl for you and a separate one for the baby.
Guinness for afterwards.
A birthing ball is very good. It got my contractions going good and strong and I gave birth over mine!
A cold water spray might be good for your face.
Guinness.
Music.
Nice smelling stuff like vanilla.
Guinness.
Lots of disposable knickers.
Huge sanitary towels.
Guinness.

Rhubarb - like your suggestion about the Guinness - absolutely LOVE the stuff. Now I've got an excuse .
Lio - I went for the Made in Water one as its slightly smaller in dimensions than the Birth Pool in a box. Have inflated it and tested for leaks and all looks sound.

Ribena or Smoothies (or something in a carton with a straw anyway) to drink while you're in labour
Champagne for afterwards
Good luck, I had both mine at home and there are lots of us here.

I was told to have a torch handy as well.

Shower curtains were the only thing I got - and even then we forgot to put em down

My midwife requested a angle poise lamp (for checking out the lower regions afterwards and stitching up!). Also lots of biscuits/toast/sweets/drinks etc for you and the midwives as they might be there a while. We got builders membrane from B&Q to put under the pool as its very absorbant.

anyone else?

Hope you don't mind me linking to an earlier thread here but you might find it useful - good luck!

Ditto to a good lamp.
A hand held mirror can be useful for a waterbirth.
A clock with a second hand (I look at my living room fondly as it timed DD into the world )

You still need to have a hospital bag packed for emergencies.
Black bin bags.

pampers care mats were really good both for use on the floor whilst giving birth and for on the bed afterwards! The large size

A lovely picture of your first born, so that if it all gets too much you can remind yourself why it's all worthwhile.

It worked for me!

Hi
I'm a midwife and this is the list we give our mums who are planning a homebirth

The following are suggestions for things that are useful to have ready for your baby’s birth:

For the room:

Large pile of towels
Cushions or pillows, beanbag, birth ball if you have them
Bin or bucket and bin liners for rubbish
Bowl or bucket in case of vomiting
Dettox spray, Dettol
Kitchen roll, tissues
Camera with charges batteries and plenty of film or space on memory card
Clean set of bed linen for afterwards

For the mother:

Hot water bottle or wheat pack
Easily digested food e.g. milk, biscuits, bananas, dried fruit and nuts, pasta, fruit juice, honey
Bendy straws
Clean face flannels
“Super” maternity or sanitary towels
Old or disposable knickers
Breast pads (washable or disposable)
Clean nightie/T-shirt/PJ’s for after the birth
Food for afterwards…whatever you fancy but bacon sandwiches and champagne taste particularly good after you’ve given birth!
Analgesia for afterwards eg. Paracetamol and Ibuprofen

For the baby:

Cotton wool, nappies, bowl for water when nappy changing
Bath towels
Warm clothes (nightie or babygro, vest, cardigan, blanket plus hat and booties in winter)
Olive oil for dry skin or massage
Blankets and sheets

Aromatherapy/homeopathic remedies:

Lavender oil to burn and to put in the bath afterwards
Tea tree oil to put in the bath afterwards
Arnica 30c or 200c tablets
Rescue remedy

For the midwives:

Things to eat and drink please
Liquid antibacterial soap and a clean towel

Optional:

Champagne chilled in the fridge
Ice cubes
If you want to keep your placenta, a plastic carton approx 1 litre in size

Put the mother’s and baby’s things plus aromatherapy/homeopathy and camera in a bag so it is all together and ready if we need to transfer to hospital