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Original poster

Being prepared for home birth? What do I need?

179 replies

littleraysofsunshine · 02/12/2013 22:59

Also having a hospital bag just in case ... (Dc3, first potential hb)

OP posts:
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shirleycat1 · 03/12/2013 14:15

Not much really. A couple of cheap shower curtains to put on the floor and put throws/a duvet cover over the top. Biscuits for the midwife.

Think that's a about it.

I've had 2 home births and am planning another (33 weeks pregnant now) and haven't ever bought loads and it's always been amazing!

The midwife brings loads of those sheets to soak up goo and blood and stuff. Music and a bath you already have.

Good luck...

princesscupcakemummyb · 03/12/2013 16:19

nothing major just protect your furnishings (sofas) bed floors i had a home birth and tbh it was not messy at all only my waters broke on the sofa unexpected so sofa got wet lol

Shellywelly1973 · 03/12/2013 16:25

Im finding choosing a pool hard... any recommendations?

HomeHelpMeGawd · 03/12/2013 16:44

A bottle of fizz to have a glass in bed afterwards!

PenguinsDontEatPancakes · 03/12/2013 17:03

Shelly - What sort of pool are you after? Do you have the money and space for a rigid one you can set up in advance or are you after an inflatable one (don't need as much space, cheaper, potentially more comfortable, but has to be set up when you need it and not in advance).

cherryademerrymaid · 03/12/2013 17:41

Sieve!!!!!!!

I had La Bassine and I loved it. Just enough room to move around in and small enough for me to use it as counter pressure when I needed it. We also had a third party ( a good friend) and I was glad she was there, things got pretty intense at times and knowing she was there for OH was great.

apocketfulofposy · 03/12/2013 17:42

i am having my 2nd hb,5th baby

i would say get as much as possible to cover the floor,get what you think you will need,and then get more,during the actual birth it wont be too messy but afterwards,the journey from wherever you give birth to the loo and back again will be messy,we underestimated how much we needed last time.

I am having a birthing pool,last time i hired from the hospital this time ive bought a la bassine one with a liner so i can either sell it on or use it again.

Oils to burn,music,massage oil,things to make you comfy,i have a birthing ball as i find those really helpful in the early bit.

tea/coffee/juice and biscuits for the midwife.

im not sur eif it differs area to area but here you must have one of those angled lamps for the midwife to use to check you after the birth,and a plastic bowl for th placenta and/or any rubbish,and some bin bags to put all the stuff you throw away afterwards.

apocketfulofposy · 03/12/2013 17:43

i had birth pool in a box last time,it was great,i cant comment on the one ive got this time but it looks good and was cheaper,i imagine they are pretty similar really,this one is smaller though..

cherryademerrymaid · 03/12/2013 17:44

Ice - and straws - makes drinks nice a cold (I got extremely hot - but it was the hottest day of the whole year) and a bendy straw makes drinking easier, especially if someone else is holding it for you.

NeveroddoreveN · 03/12/2013 17:55

I wish DD had been compliant! After around 36hrs of labour the MW's got fed up and sent me to hospital Sad, so I would say an impatient baby would be good!

WhereIsMyHat · 03/12/2013 17:57

Birth pool if using
Sports bottle for water
Plastic sheets (got ours from wickes)
Lots of old towels
Torch
Biscuits/ snack for birth attendants
Tea
Dressing gown for afterwards
Blanket big enough for you to snuggle under while waiting for the third stage to be over.

I made a postnatal box with pjs, pads, baby clothes, nappies that would have doubled up as my hospital 'bag' had we needed to transfer.

Pool wise, I used a BPIAB first time and would have used it again second but my baby was in a rush so I used it for a post birth bath which was lovely.

Nosleeptillgodknowswhen · 03/12/2013 18:05

Anglepoise light or similar for stitches
Hotwater bottle for warming babyclothes and blankets

Original poster
littleraysofsunshine · 03/12/2013 18:32

I'm also finding it hard to choose a birth pool. As I may not have time to fill ? Very fast labours here...

When did you set yours up? It would have to be the living room here but I also have a just 3yo, and 18mo

I'm just getting prepared for home and MLU birth really. I just can't help but feel anxious as I would like a water birth if at home but just not sure I'll have enough time

OP posts:
CheshireDing · 03/12/2013 19:46

What home birth with number 1 nearly but had to go in to hospital to have everything restarted as contractions stopped when I got in the pool.

Home birth 8 days ago with number 2, no pool this time just the shower initially but had him in the lounge on a shower curtain and a throw :)

I packed all the usual stuff for baby and I in the hospital bag plus two bottles of lucozade sport drink and a snickers for the energy.

Number two was fast - 4 hours so I found it better that DH spent time with me rather than filling the pool this t I me

Good luck

CheshireDing · 03/12/2013 19:47

Sorry first word should have said had not what !

navyeye · 03/12/2013 19:47

birthing pool, floor covering, sieve, heart monitor (midwife dropped hers in pool and only reason we got to stay home was because I had one), lucozade tablets, ice, clock and lamp.

I had pool in a box, we inflated it and filled it in about 60 mins. We did have it inflated before hand but took it down at 6am as due for induction at 10am, but went into labour at 8am! Had a 46 hour labour so am v glad I was at home!

navyeye · 03/12/2013 19:47

oh and wine and steak for after!

CheshireDing · 03/12/2013 19:49

Oh yes and condoms for the monitor so when she puts it on your tummy it's protected from the water

navyeye · 03/12/2013 19:49

oh yes towels, bin bags and dressing goown! doh.

withaspongeandarustyspanner · 03/12/2013 19:57

Shower curtains for the floor, a new cheap nightie (from Primark or similar) and you need to put the hot water on (for your bath afterwards).

I've had three homebirths and hardly needed anything.

TheBreastmilksOnMe · 03/12/2013 19:57

Not having had a HB myself I would however pack a hospital bag just in case of needing to transfer to hospital.

Tens machine?

Pethidine on prescription?

craftysewer · 03/12/2013 20:28

I had 2 hb's. My daughters are now 18 & 20. it was handy to have an extra person available as the midwives brought portable gas, but we run out. my friend was able to go and get spares from the hospital leaving my husband with me. Good luck, it was the best experience I ever had, far better than my first daughters birth.

apocketfulofposy · 03/12/2013 20:32

all of mine were under 2 hours and we had plenty of time to inflate and fill the pool,think it was about 10 mins to inflate and 20 to fill.

apocketfulofposy · 03/12/2013 20:33

i havnt packed a hospital bag,but everything is in one place so if need be dh knows where everything is.I know i wont though.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 03/12/2013 20:40

Have had 2 home births, didn't have a pool.

I found those disposable bed mat things very helpful. Particularly for second baby when my waters were leaking out with each contraction (yuk) and I was plodding upstairs to the loo with a bed map between my legs acting as an impromptu nappy.

We had plastic sheets covered by an old duvet on the floor, also had old towels covering the (new) sofa. Had nice food in the house for during and after, but it turns out that I feel so sick during labour that I didn't really snack much during.