Anybody having/had/thinking about a home birth?

[chloemegjess]

Hello. I have planned a home water birth and I am due this sunday. I was wondering if anybody else has had one or is planning one? Maybe we could all give each other tips? I have my birthing pool set up in my dining room, covered in a big plastic sheet. Just needs to be filled when I go into labour.

Anyway, let me know if I am not the only one!

Have you had a trial run at filling it? Probably a good idea to do so, so that you get some idea of the time it will take, any extra equipment you might need, what it will do to your central heating, etc. Also, put a plastic sheet underneath it to catch drips as you climb ina nd out, and if you drape yourself over the side. Put a bath mat or couple of towels on the floor at the side nearest the loo!

We were all set up for a waterbirth at home, but ended up having a waterbirth in hospital. Fantastic, nonetheless.

Good luck .

Oh, and has your dh/dp thought how he's going to empty it?

2 waterbirths at home - brilliant experience - Definately recommend it.

Any questions fire away!

Oh and Dh siphoned the water out with a hosepipe down the toilet.

Remeber to have your hotwater on constant so you won't run out

Thanks for those tips.

We have decided not to have a trial run with the pool, as the instructions say that if you do, you will need to replace the disposable liner, as it won't be sterile anymore. That costs £25 so decided against it.

We also have a pump that will get the water out through the hose. You put the whole thing in the water and it does all the emptying for you.

We have put some plastic sheets under the pool as well, and have some extras to put out at the last min (needed to get to some things at the edges - fridge, tumble dryer etc so didnt do that yet but will make sure they are very protected.

I have 2 storage boxes full of old towels ready, to use for whatever we need them for at the time. I also have a bath mat to step on when I get out.

I also have a birthing mat to lie/sit on if I get out to deliver the plasenta or whatever. I also have an excersice mat which is very similar to the birthing mat to use if needed, even if just to stop knees hurting from being on the floor.

An old quilt is excellent if you get out of the pool -makes a lovely nest that can be binned afterwards!
I've used my pool with the last 2 (own inflatable one a la birth pool in a box) but have got out both times, I'd have a trial run of your pool with a large palstic dustsheet in it instead of the liner - BTW how sterile do you think tap water and giving birth are? Clean is fine
I'm just getting my bits and bobs together hoping to last out until after the tree comes down on the 6th Jan

hi chloemegjess - just wanted to say hi and welcome to mumsnet!!

Hi - I have had 4 hb. One in the bath!

Good Luck!

Sounds like you've got the BPIAB? We did our trial run without the liner. The liner makes it easier to get rid of the last inch or so, as you can lift it all out in one go(with help - which you are not to provide ).

I've got a pool set up, heated and ready to go can't be hanging about waiting for it to fill up as I labour too fast - last two times I was only in the pool 90 mins ish and they take over 2 hours to fill (BIG pools as I'm too tall for BPIAB).

I'm due Boxing day with #4

We had the same reasons as you for not doing a trial run, and FWIW the pool was not filled in time (by a long way actually). In fact DH had to be told to give up trying to fill it and come and watch his baby being born That said, it was a great experience and if I were to do it again I probably wouldn't bother having a pool at all. Good luck!

I'm planning on having one in the next couple of weeks my pack and gas and air was delivered today. I'm not having a pool though. Where did you buy your plastic sheet as I need one too? MW also told me that i'd need a good light you know like a desk lamp in case I need stitching afterwards. I told dp and he looked at our 6 foot uplighter. I had visions of him holding this upside down pointing at my fanjo and it made me pmsl.

Its not the BPIAB that I have, its the oval pool, which is not inflatable like the BPIAB, its got 4 fibreglass pannels and then a sponge matt on the floor, and then the main liner goes over it, then the disposable one inside that. I have put a beanbag under the main liner too to make a step/seat which is quite nice and comfy. I have been in the pool without the water, experiementing with possitions etc. It is perfect size wise and has plenty of space.

I think we should have enough time to fill it. It says 2-4 hours, depending on your hot water system etc. We have a hose and adapter for the tap (the adapter is on the tap ready as its a bit fiddly). Once the hose is on the tap and it starts to fill, it can be left to do it on its own and doesn't require attention really. We have a bath thermometer too.

Ledodgy - Thats good that you have the gas and air ready, mine doesnt come in advance and the 2nd midwife brings it over while I am in labour. Bit silly if you ask me, as it could be there ready for me incase I do end up with a fast labour. The only plastic sheet I bought was from anything goes - a cheapy type shop and its meant for going over cars, under tents etc. The rest I got were just given to me by people and are very thin etc. Think one was originally some packaging of some sort. My Dad works for IBM so can get all the big sheets that the big computors etc were wrapped in.

My midwife hasn't said anything to me about a lamp, although I have one we can use, its not brilliant, but will have to do!