Packing a bag for home birth. Help please!

[McKayz]

DC3 is due in 8 weeks and I want to start getting ready. I'm having another home birth but want to get a bag packed just in case I need to go to hospital. Also if everything goes well, all the stuff I need is in one place.

I'm pretty sure I have baby brain as I just can't work out what to put in the bag at all. Despite this being my 3rd.

What do I need?

Thanks

A roll of bubble wrap along the lines of what they sell for greenhouses is great, protects the carpet, and doesn't get as slippy as tarpaulins and so on.

Its still there, the family are living in it and renting out the house as seperate rooms. The fence is still there.

I work for the borough and with this and a couple of other issues I have been having - I am ashamed that I do.

Sorry to say it, but a bowl, to be sick in. (Or is it just me who throws up throughout labour?)

You just reminded me keepmum

Somewhere for the midwife/ves to sit down. My bedroom got quite crowded as its all bed. I took clutter out but made sure I had a comfy chair.

I had a cheap standard lamp (one of those skinny metal ones) and took the shade off so there would be plenty of light if needed.

You also need a flat surface near a power point incase of emergencies. I had an otterman in the hall outside the bedroom with an extension lead for the rescus equipment.

(that lead to an hilarous altercation on MN when someone accused me of risking laying my precious newborn on a footstool. Her idea of an otterman being slightly different from mine )

Sorry about all that bad spelling

Stick a shower curtain under your pool to catch any spillages and protect your floor, also useful to stick around about on the bed or wherever else you might deliver. And treats for the midwives. We love the treats. And a sieve. For um. Floaters.

i had a brilliant anglepoise flange lamp.

and a hot water bottle to warm babies beddy (for whilst i have my bath afters)

i did have biscuits, but the MW didn't eat any.

I had biscuits and tea when I had DS2 and the MWs didn't have any of them.

Fairy lights! Dont forget the fairy lights!

I asked DS2 if he remembered when his little bros were born. He said 'yes mummy your room was all lovely and pink'

So you have to have fairy lights

You must have all had very health conscious midwives. I'd eat all you treats :)

My midwives were well happy to be shown where the tea, coffee and biscuit tin were kept

Fairy lights sound nice :) i think B&Q were doing some with pink flowers on... my xmas ones are too white. knowing me in labour i'd have to resist the urge to tidy them away though...(very strong nesting instinct)

congratulations flisspaps :)

I think MWs must have iron will as they always refuse...

i did think 'there is a 24 hour tescos where we can get sandwiches for them if they want'

i don't think i have laboured at tea time though.

My dad took DS1 out the day DS2 was born. My brother was doing his theory test. DS1 still tells people that his Uncle passed his fairy test when DS2 was born. Fairy lights would fit in well there.

You are all stunningly organised.

I did manage a bright light, old towels, PVC on the floor and a waterproof sheet for our bed.

I threw the approximate contents of a hospital bag in an empty draw under the spare bed. I had no intention whatsoever of needing them.

Half way through labour, I remembered to get DH to build the crib.

I never did ring my friend to say please come at get DD1, she was fast asleep.

She ended up meeting her sister when she was 3 minutes old

I am hoping to have a homebirth sometime in the next few weeks. It's my first baby so I haven't had to pack any sort of bag before. So far I have packed:

Labour bag for me (either for home or hospital) containing TENS machine, snacks, drinks, maternity pads, breast pads, big pants, paper pants (I thought they came with pads inside but they are actually just the pants, so glad I checked!!) lip balm, two nighties, slipper socks, spare phone charger, travel toothbrush and paste, mini shampoo and conditioner, deodrant and I think that's about it

Baby's bag (again home or hospital) containing nappies, cotton wool, wipes, 3 vests, 3 sleepsuits, 2 hats, bibs, socks, cardigan, blankets, scratch mitts.

We also have a box for items only required for a homebirth including towels for baby and me, torch, 2 large shower curtains, homebirth notes, and there are biscuits for the midwives in the kitchen!

I was told that a mirror is useful if you plan to have a waterbirth, but I am not so I don't have one.

If I have missed anything obvious please tell me!! (DH is in charge of camera and coins for carparks)

I did a fruit cake and iced with a baby on top, that way it could wait two weeks and would be ready as an actual birthday cake. Midwives enjoyed the cake with their tea with me and it beated NHS toast as a post birth bite to eat for me :)

Have ready a long and decent music album to hit play (and images if your tele would do a long slide show). I swear it was better and more useful than pain relief.

Get in some strawberry plants to plant in the garden. All that squatting and sunshine relaxed me and I'm convinced helped break my waters to get things going :)

My midwife told me she didn't need a light (when I asked her if they one we had was bright enough) - she told me she was just feeling, and not looking up there.

I second (or third) having lots of towels on hand. We had a water birth and must have used a dozen towels over the course of the day, even though the actual birth was a fait accompli in about 75 minutes!

Lynette I'd need a light if any suturing was needed post delivery

Good point, this was just for an initial internal when she arrived.