Minimizing the *Appearance* of blood at HB - Page 2

[Kontessa]

I wanted to add another voice to this topic in favor of talking to the midwife about this as my midwife wanted light colored everything, towels, sheets, and birthing pool to monitor blood loss. That is a bid deal from what I understand and I think more important than a couple of guys feeling uncomfortable, though I think it is sweet your trying to help them with this!

[lilmamabrown]

I didn't birth in the water but there was very, very, very little blood at my birth. I'm talking a tablespoon or two?

His anticipation will probably be so high during pushing and birth he may not even mind the blood so much when it comes down to it. He'll have something else to focus on. I would definitely say its a good idea for him to step out for the placenta though... that could do him in lol. My dh was great during birth but just hearing the placenta come out and hit the bowl grossed him out pretty bad.

[MomsAndMiracles]

Thank you Juvysen!

My first thought when reading this post (as a midwife) was "no, no! we need to see how much blood you lose!" Covering the pool with a dark color would be a definite no-no in my book. You could, however, consider stepping right outside the pool onto an area with chux pads etc. and squat and deliver the placenta there (works to keep blood out of the pool).

My second no-no (as much as I think it's great getting the Daddy involved) is giving the baby to him around this time. The time period before and shortly after the placenta is the MOST important time to have that baby with you. The baby's job is to nurse, keeping your uterus contracted to help with blood loss (and to help deliver the placenta). At homebirths, we don't rely on medications like pitocin to do this for us. We let nature do it's thing and make sure that baby latches!!! There will be time shortly after that whe you will want to eat and/or shower and that would be a much less critical time to let the dad watch the baby.

Best of luck!

[Plummeting]

My midwives also said we had to use light colored towels and sheets, so they could more accurately estimate blood loss.