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Original poster

Home birth checklist anyone?

15 replies

Gillybean2010 · 23/02/2010 19:27

Hi! I went along to my 22 week check up today and asked the midwife about booking me a home birth. She said it wasn't a problem, and wrote in my notes that that's what I'd like. But she also said that she'd come to our house, and just go through some things with us, and she mentioned a checklist. Does anyone know what this checklist is? Is it for your home or more for her to check off things that she's discussed with you?

Sorry if this is a stupid question Any help would be great!

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alex1803 · 23/02/2010 19:34

It's not stupid at all.

When I had my home birth the mw came over just for an informal chat really (and probably to suss the place out, health and safety and all that!)

I think we discussed my birth plan etc and she went through their side of things. Like when they drop their stuff off (they dropped 2 bags of things off when I was about 36 weeks, had a cylinder of gas and air and other things they might need) and explain about the on call rota.

I think its also to chat about what you may need to get, like a waterproof sheet etc.

Hope that clear things up!

Original poster
Gillybean2010 · 23/02/2010 19:38

Ah, that's great! Thanks for that

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MumNWLondon · 23/02/2010 19:41

When I asked midwife said they had to check your home was suitable... for health and safety purposes, something like having ambulance access, etc.

PootleTheFlump · 23/02/2010 20:29

My midwife had a checklist she came round and went through with me

Right, it consisted of:

Phone nos to ring in labour
How the on call rota works
Having my notes available
Checking recent bloods
If there was a landline/what mobile reception is like
Access/parking for mw/ambulance
Discussion of reasons for transfer
Emergency procedures
List of things that would be helpful/useful

I had to sign to say it had all been discussed with me and that I agreed to transfer in certain circumstances etc.

HTH

Original poster
Gillybean2010 · 23/02/2010 20:45

Thanks Pootle - that's really great! I'm just pleased for now that I'm so far looking at a home birth!

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mad4mainecoons · 23/02/2010 20:53

Hi Gillybean,

im hoping for a homebirth too! due 4th march!!

just wanted to say, dont worry too much about your home being pristine for when they come round, unless its just our team they really do not seem too phased about your actual home.

we are coming to the end of massive renovation works and when the MW came for my 36wk visit/ chat/ snoop around we had a half tiled floor in the kitchen, no kitchen units, bare wires hanging out of sockets etc. and they were not phased at all! - i had been convinced they would refuse me a homebirth!

good luck with it all - hope it goes well.

mad4mainecoons · 23/02/2010 20:53

Hi Gillybean,

im hoping for a homebirth too! due 4th march!!

just wanted to say, dont worry too much about your home being pristine for when they come round, unless its just our team they really do not seem too phased about your actual home.

we are coming to the end of massive renovation works and when the MW came for my 36wk visit/ chat/ snoop around we had a half tiled floor in the kitchen, no kitchen units, bare wires hanging out of sockets etc. and they were not phased at all! - i had been convinced they would refuse me a homebirth!

good luck with it all - hope it goes well.

mad4mainecoons · 23/02/2010 20:54

Hi Gillybean,

im hoping for a homebirth too! due 4th march!!

just wanted to say, dont worry too much about your home being pristine for when they come round, unless its just our team they really do not seem too phased about your actual home.

we are coming to the end of massive renovation works and when the MW came for my 36wk visit/ chat/ snoop around we had a half tiled floor in the kitchen, no kitchen units, bare wires hanging out of sockets etc. and they were not phased at all! - i had been convinced they would refuse me a homebirth!

good luck with it all - hope it goes well.

mad4mainecoons · 23/02/2010 20:54

Hi Gillybean,

im hoping for a homebirth too! due 4th march!!

just wanted to say, dont worry too much about your home being pristine for when they come round, unless its just our team they really do not seem too phased about your actual home.

we are coming to the end of massive renovation works and when the MW came for my 36wk visit/ chat/ snoop around we had a half tiled floor in the kitchen, no kitchen units, bare wires hanging out of sockets etc. and they were not phased at all! - i had been convinced they would refuse me a homebirth!

good luck with it all - hope it goes well.

mad4mainecoons · 23/02/2010 20:54

Hi Gillybean,

im hoping for a homebirth too! due 4th march!!

just wanted to say, dont worry too much about your home being pristine for when they come round, unless its just our team they really do not seem too phased about your actual home.

we are coming to the end of massive renovation works and when the MW came for my 36wk visit/ chat/ snoop around we had a half tiled floor in the kitchen, no kitchen units, bare wires hanging out of sockets etc. and they were not phased at all! - i had been convinced they would refuse me a homebirth!

good luck with it all - hope it goes well.

PootleTheFlump · 23/02/2010 20:57

That's ok gilly - hope you get your homebirth - mine was fab, best decision ever

Caitni · 23/02/2010 21:10

Hi Gilly

In my experience it's been a checklist for her to explain things.

I'm planning a HB and have had all my antenatal care since 25 weeks at home. Midwife isn't phased at all by our tiny flat - said they've done home births in all types of places, including high rise flats.

The 36 week check up ran through a check list of what happens - eg when to call them, what they'll bring, what happens if she's not on call etc.

When I asked what we needed to provide she said plastic dust sheets (for under our birth pool - a great tip, much cheaper than shower curtains, which is what we had planned), a torch (in case of power cuts), a flat surface for their resus equipment, a towel for the baby and, er, snacks for the midwives (she's a personal fan of cheese toasties!).

Which is much more straightforward than I was expecting...now just need baby to show up and it'll be all good

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy

alex1803 · 23/02/2010 21:38

fyi - b&q sell the plastic dust sheets, they're only a couple of quid and come in different sizes. I'd recommend an old sheet on top to mop up any liquid! you don't want the mw using your plastic dust sheet as a slide!!

SpeedyGonzalez · 23/02/2010 21:43

I'm having a HB and no-one's visited me at home; I have to lug my heavy bod over to the surgery with my toddler every time.

Original poster
Gillybean2010 · 24/02/2010 10:21

Thanks so much for all your helpful answers! It's great to know what's in store. The plastic dust sheets from B&Q sound a great idea so I'll get a couple of those. I was a bit nervous about her coming round but all the responses here have calmed me down! Thanks so much

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