HB without running water, tips?

[isras1]

Hello ladies.

We live off the grid, per se, in that we have electricity but no running water or sewer. The closet neighbor is about a mile away, we love it! The thing is, we are planning a homebirth. My MW is comfortable with us possibly not having running water (we are aiming to have a water system up and running before the babe is born, but we'll see how it goes), so that's good.

I was wondering if there are any other ladies that have done a homebirth in similar lifestyle and have any tips for us?

[Chamsia]

Good for you! I have no expert advice whatsoever--I had a hb with running water aplenty. I did live as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa where everyone had their babes at home with no running water, but (happily for you) I don't think it's that relevant to your situation.

How about getting some of those camping shower devices and having them all filled up? That way if you want/need to "hose" yourself or something off you'd have the option.

Otherwise it's really just about having plenty of water on hand, right, and a proper way to dispose of the dirty water?

I didn't use a tub for my homebirth...it just seemed like one more hassle to deal with, and I had too much going on at the time. Same thing this go-around...of course I imagine you can fill a tub if you'd like, though I don't know your situation.

Best wishes and keep us posted! When are you due? And perhaps you should x post this on the homesteading/off the grid forum? (I think there's one, right?)

[MsBlack]

I once lived in the conditions you name, and also loved it! However, when giving birth there for the first time, I knew I would want running water in plenty. It was my fifth baby, and by then I well knew how much I loved to labor in water....so I gave birth at a friend's house, who did have running water, and a 'garden tub' (extra large).

Not that my story is relevant to yours...I guess as a mw and mom both, I'd just want to know that there was plenty of water on hand for basic drinking and cleaning needs. That could be in the form of many gallon jugs, or a larger 'cistern'/tank of some sort, for instance. A water heater, for instance, even if it weren't turned on and you accessed the water through it's drain system.

[isras1]

Thanks for the replies ladies.

We are trying to get a water system set up before the babe is born, we'll see. Its rather expensive and we do need a family car.

We recently built an addition to our house, that included a bathroom. My DH and professional plumber friend will be installing the plumbing lines and fixtures this week, so we will now have the means of draining water. Maybe even fill up the tub during labor. Its not very deep, but better than nothing! We do have a solar camp shower, but I think I'll buy another one so that the "shower" will last longer than 5 minutes. Thanks for the suggestion Chamsia.

If we are unable to get water going before, our Plan B is to get a 20 or 50 gallon water storage tank and on-demand water heater. So, I guess we do have a plan that will hopefully work.