I got my birth kit in the mail.......now what?

[jenrett]

It's all packed tightly in a box, and I'm wondering if I should try to organize it in any way, or what I should do with it. I plan on asking my MW at the next appt, but I guess my nesting instincts are really kicking in, and I am getting ready for this baby.

Oh, btw, I am only 27w4d, so I know I have plenty of time. But, I figure it never hurts to be prepared.

Any other tips for getting ready for a homebirth would be appreciated. I have a list of things to have on hand from my MW (including food), but in terms of getting organized, etc....I would love ideas for what I can do!

Thanks!

[triony]

[Nicole730]

I got a birth kit from someone for free because she had her baby at 35 weeks and went to the hospital. Had the kit been opened, I don't think my midwife would have been comfortable passing it on to someone else.

So, maybe wait until you are able to safely have a homebirth?

(And you just reminded me, I haven't opened mine yet! I guess I could now that I'm 40 weeks!!!)

[xixstar]

I'm just leaving mine in the box until birth. I know my mw likes setting up her things in a special way when she arrives, so I'll just leave it for her to mess with.

I remember it being funny watching her set up last time and she had a very specific way things were places and some paper towels were folded, and dh asked her why she did it that way, and she said that it's the only thing she controls during a birth and it just makes her feel better setting her stuff up as such. That cracked us up a bit because of how true it was.

[possum]

I took mine out and made sure everything was in order after it arrived. I just put it all in a big plastic bin along with the other stuff I was supposed to have that didn't come with the kit (a flash light, a picnic tablecloth, extra towels and wash cloths, diaper and outfit for baby). I also stuck in a hand mirror which was so nice after I'd been pushing for a while and could finally see his head.

I did not open up any packs of stuff - just the big shipping box. Mine was not returnable.

Melinda

[JennTheMomma]

I put my birth kit in a wicker type laundry basket. Not one of those huge stand up ones, but the smaller ones you put on your hip when doing laundry.

[Laurodactyl]

I ordered a birth kit too, but found I didn't really need it. I had a home/water birth and just used towels and old sheets after returning to bed after the birth. I remember being worried about having everything set-up in the perfect way before my ds was born, but once you go into labor, you really won't care very much. My dh, doula and mw took care of setting everything up (there is usually plenty of time) the night of ds's birth. I would recommend you spend more time right now studying up and preparing for potential breast feeding or post partum depression issues (these are what I struggled with so much). I wish I would have known more about these things before ds was born. Good luck!

[moonshoes]

I organized the contents into one-gallon ziplock bags and labeled the contents with a Sharpie. I put everything into a large tote. My midwife was thrilled when she saw it.

[SamGroom]

I would open and check to make sure everything is there.

You may want to make up some freezer pads also; you could use some sitz bath or witch hazel and put some of it in a few disposable pads and then stick them in the freezer.

Usually you have a MW apt that is called your "home visit" around 37 weeks where they go over everything.

I took the stuff out and put it in an empty dresser that is in the same room as the pool.

My midwifes got to my last HB when I was pushing, so we didn't use much but it was ready in a laundry basket.

Plus if there is a plastic bed liner in there then I would set up your bed or if your birth kit didn't come with one use a plastic shower curtain.

we did: *our regular mattress pad
*fitted sheet
*plastic cover
*fitted sheet
*whatever else goes on your bed; flat sheet, blanket down comforter or whatever.

that way after baby is born if you sheets got dirty or wet they can strip them off and your bed is ready to go with the other sheets already on.

Happy birthing, we must be due at the same time

[jenrett]

Thanks ladies! Making the post-partum pads is a good idea! I have some alcohol-free witch hazel coming in the mail, so maybe I'll wait for that to arrive before doing anything else.

I like the idea of putting everything in a big plastic tub - I think if I end up going early and not needing the kit, my MW would probably try to sell it to another client (the box is open but nothing sterile is....)

I guess I wanted to make sure that if I go into labor and end up with an UC (i.e. MW doesn't make it in time!) then I don't have to dig through the birth kit to find out what the heck is in it and what to do with everything. Hopefully I won't go early, and definitely not before the 36 week home visit!

[SamGroom]

LOL, I read it wrong and thought you were 37 weeks

[lizvt]

For my DS's birth, we received our birth kit from our midwife. She had everything in a big plastic bag, and if I remember correctly she asked that we keep it together and sealed so that everything remained sterile. I then got a big clear bin and put the birth kit in along with all our clean towels, washcloths, blankets, flashlight, mirror, hat for baby and clothes, sheets, plastic, etc. Then everything was together and ready when we were. It worked out well