Right - homebirth imminent, getting my crap together, but a bit vague on what I "need"

[Piffle]

37 wks today which here means anytime I go into labout from now I can have my homebirth!
No hb packs given out here.
m/w just said oh some extra sheets, dark towels, bit of decorators plastic to protect wherever you give birth and the the floor,
mattress protector etc

I have an adult spacehopper doubling as a birth ball.

What else should I plan for?

My midwife brought bed sheet thingies with her. Plastic backed. Just don't kick them out of the way with your heels so the baby plops out onto the carept like I did. very messy. landlord was not impressed!

Can I just jump in and say thanks also for all the good ideas. I am 35 weeks and are also having a home birth ! As it is a VBAC it has taken a bit more effort to get 'ok' but I like hearing all the postive hb stories

Good idea about the bowl to throw up in - always seems to be part of my labours!

A couple of questions.... how do you keep the water warm in the pool - is it good for 30mins or longer - can you refill with a kettle?? My labours are pretty quick but it could still be a few hours in the water and I can't stand cold water!

Do you also need to position the pool so there is access for the midwife all the way around it??

Thanks

yeah my mw bought the inco. pads with her too - but i had to remind her the week before as she only had a couple in the "birth box".
Zazas: Re keeping the pool warm - you can probably get a thick insulated foil cover from whoever you got the pool from - it means that the water only loses one degree an hour, so when it needs warming up you (or preferably someone else!) takes out a bucket of cooler water and refills it with warmer water. And yes it does help if the mw can get most of the way around coz then you don't have to move if you don't want to when birthing (i definitely didn't!!)Pools are great - way to go!! All the best

Thanks for the info - maybe I am being stupid here but do you put the insulation over you and the water when you are in the pool - or only if you decide to get out? Do you tend to stay in for long periods or is it something you dip in and out of?

I have a doula as well coming along so between her and DP I am sure we can get a steady supply of hot water!

Just wanted to say hi Piffle, as I am also 37 weeks, and hoping for a homebirth. It'll be a VBAC so I'll be double delighted if it happens.

So far I've got nothing at all prepared, so I'd better get on with it...

Good luck with your homebirth!

I've got everything but not in order and none of it is organised
I need to write a plan for dp as well...
Eeeeks

zazas - i had two long stints (maybe 3-4 hours each) in the birthing pool (gave birth during the second stint - obviously!) - probably your mw and/or doula will be wise in telling you when its good to get in, probably not till you are 5cm dilated, as it can slow things down (i think i got in too early the first time). And no, you don't need to hide under the insulation layer but think someone else has explained that! Oooh i feel all excited for you - all the best (again!) - but feel free to ask any more questions too!

Is anyone having a homebirth WITHOUT a pool?
Just wondered - I haven't got one lined up...

Hoping to...my friend offered me her birth-pool-in-a-box, but I figured nobody would get it inflated and filled (no DP) so no point for me...

You don't have a birth partner lined up? I laboured fine in the bath last time - till neighbour came and said 'get thee to the hospital, you're going to have that baby soon'. She was right ;)