So, I am planning a homebirth in about two months. I'm so excited!
My first birth was in the hospital. It went pretty well, physically-speaking (12 hours no complications), but my overall experience was not great, due to the environment...and I did not handle the pain very well, either.
This time, I am hoping I am better prepared to handle the pain, and am very excited to embark on this experience in the comforts of my home, surrounded by loving, supportive energy.
I will have my DH, MW and her assistant, and DS, who will almost be 4.
I am planning to have a friend come be DS's support-person (unless he is asleep). I also have two other friends who I may or may not call to come support me, if I feel like I need that extra female support and presence. They are not trained doulas, but they are close friends, and comfortable with massage, and we have a spiritual connection that I think could be helpful, if I need/want that extra female-support.
My plan, at the moment, is to meet with them and let them know I'll be playing it by ear, in terms of how my labor is progressing, how I am feeling, what I am needing (privacy, intimacy with DH...or if I need that support/presence). I'm really not sure what I am going to want or need.
If I *do* have them come, I'd like to have a list for them, of things to do...
whether I need their help, or if I need a spell of privacy, a list of ways they can help. Since they are not doulas, I'd love to just have a list they can refer to, to remind them of what they can do to help out, if I am out of it in LaborLand, and/or they are not sure what to do.
What do you wise mamas suggest?
So far, I have
*massage/touch
*get fresh hot/cold washcloths
*help fill tub (if applicable)
*take photos (I'll probably assign the woman who is watching DS to this task, to keep it simple)
What else??
Thanks in advance!!!
My first birth was in the hospital. It went pretty well, physically-speaking (12 hours no complications), but my overall experience was not great, due to the environment...and I did not handle the pain very well, either.
This time, I am hoping I am better prepared to handle the pain, and am very excited to embark on this experience in the comforts of my home, surrounded by loving, supportive energy.
I will have my DH, MW and her assistant, and DS, who will almost be 4.
I am planning to have a friend come be DS's support-person (unless he is asleep). I also have two other friends who I may or may not call to come support me, if I feel like I need that extra female support and presence. They are not trained doulas, but they are close friends, and comfortable with massage, and we have a spiritual connection that I think could be helpful, if I need/want that extra female-support.
My plan, at the moment, is to meet with them and let them know I'll be playing it by ear, in terms of how my labor is progressing, how I am feeling, what I am needing (privacy, intimacy with DH...or if I need that support/presence). I'm really not sure what I am going to want or need.
If I *do* have them come, I'd like to have a list for them, of things to do...
whether I need their help, or if I need a spell of privacy, a list of ways they can help. Since they are not doulas, I'd love to just have a list they can refer to, to remind them of what they can do to help out, if I am out of it in LaborLand, and/or they are not sure what to do.
What do you wise mamas suggest?
So far, I have
*massage/touch
*get fresh hot/cold washcloths
*help fill tub (if applicable)
*take photos (I'll probably assign the woman who is watching DS to this task, to keep it simple)
What else??
Thanks in advance!!!
