I don't know if it will happen

[Aliy]

I really wanted a water birth at home with a pool. I really think my tub would be uncomfortable.
But with the way finaces are it doens't look possible. right now the pool is just a want and the money for that ( that there really isn't ) is going to be getting the baby a new carseat. We'll be just getting a convertable for finical reasons.

I'm also a bit stressed about getting all of our supplies. i know I have 5 months but it still feels like there isn't that much time.

What do you really need for a homebirth

[smeep]

You don't NEED a birth pool for a homebirth. In fact, many moms change their minds once they're in labour. I, for one, didn't plan on birthing in the water, just labouring some in it. I ended up spending most of my active labour in it as well as birthing in it. On the other hand, my friend couldn't stay in the water because it relaxed her so much that her contractions stopped altogether, so she got maybe a total of 15 minutes in the water. I've also known women who wanted to labour/birth in the water and when it came time they simply had zero desire to do so. You really never know how it will work out, and you may find your tub perfectly comfortable (the most important aspect is the water itself). You never know.

That said, perhaps you could ask around and see if anyone locally has a pool they can loan out to you? If your local homebirth community is large enough I'm sure there's someone who would be more than happy to loan you their pool considering your circumstances.

[Overthemoon]

Hi there:
I have a huge bathtub and my plan was to birth in the tub. Not to get graphic, but I was unable to get any pushing done in the tub as there was just no way to get traction and it felt like a wall holding things in. When I got out it was so much better.
So I'd not get to upset about not being able to have a birth pool. Maybe start in your own tub and see how it goes.
As far as supplies. My MW brought everything with her, things I needed to get were:
-Extra Chucks pads
-Pads for pp bleeding
-lots of washcloths and towels (I had a stack of bath towels and opted to pick up extra cheap wash cloths at walmart that way we could toss if need be).
I also opted to wrap my bed with a full plastic sheet. I did a fresh sheet and then a plastic sheet and then the sheets for birth. That way it made it easy to just rip it all off for my MW and Dh so I could climb right in a clean bed.

Don't worry, things will be great!

[lunarlady]

Technically, all you really NEED for a homebirth is a pregnant mama and a home...

But in all seriousness, the material needs are minimal. If your financial situation is tight I would say focus on the mental and emotional preparedness aspects and don't stress the physical things. Baby will come even if you have no pool, one towel, and no diapers. But your labor will go better if you are calm, focused, and well supported by family, friends and/or your MW.

[honeybee]

If you have 5 months, why not just save up for a fishy pool? They're pretty cheap, and would work fine... way less money than a convertible carseat.

And your mw may very well be able to help you find excess birth supplies from previous clients. And, really, the absolutely necessary supplies are the ones safety ones the mw brings along, anyways. You could choose to use old towels/sheets/tarps/shower curtains instead of buying chux pads, etc.

[IdentityCrisisMama]

If you're having a MW I assume she will have a list of required supplies that you have to provide. I would ask her for that list now so you can start seeing what you can find for cheap/free. That way you'll be better able to see what you have left for a birth pool.

And, yes, previous clients may donated un-used supplies back to the MW. Maybe even a pool!!!

[babyjelly]

I had a fishy pool, it was great, and cheap!
Since we're talking money...call your health department and see if they have any assistance programs for getting the carseat. It could free up some money for you. My state offers $25 carseats for Medicaid, WIC, and Baby your Baby clients.
Posted via Mobile Device

[beanbean]

For my 3rd, poor DH spent 2 hours+ prepping and filling the birth pool, and I refused to get in. Although my 2 older DC LOVED the birth pool! I think they were more excited about a swimming pool in my bedroom than they were about the baby.

I labored a bit in the water with my first and I didn't like it at all. I couldn't get my temperature just right (always felt too warm or too cold) and I didn't like not being able to move around. I didn't even bother to set one up for my last birth.

I do, however, really like the shower for early labor. I think being upright and having more gravity effects than a pool is helpful for me too.

So don't fret too much about the pool. You might not even have liked it.

[caedmyn]

Walmart has Cosco Seneca (sp?) carseats for $40, and they get good safety reviews. That's what we're getting (have to replace our current ones because they won't fit three across in our car). Is there any way you can save $8 a month for the next few months to buy a kiddie pool? It might not seem like such an unmanageable amount if you can save for it a bit at a time. Or maybe post on Craigslist and see if anyone has an unopened kiddie pool they'd be willing to sell.

[homemademom]

Just wanted to post a link to the fishy pool http://www.yourwaterbirth.com/other-pools-c-1_39.html

This is where I'm planning to get mine.

[beanbean]

Originally Posted by caedmyn

Walmart has Cosco Seneca (sp?) carseats for $40, and they get good safety reviews.

Do you mean Scenera? I've heard good things about it too.

Oh and ask around for the infant seat. IMHO it's definitely worth the added safety to get the infant-only seat. I've seen the crash-test videos! The good news is that most people don't use the seats for that long, so there are many, many to be found that are basically new for free or nearly free. Post a request on Freecycle!

As an alternative -- do you have a pregnancy resource center in your area? They always have car seats and baby clothes to give away, and I'm sure they'd be very glad to help you out!

[Almi]

Originally Posted by homemademom

Just wanted to post a link to the fishy pool http://www.yourwaterbirth.com/other-pools-c-1_39.html

This is where I'm planning to get mine.

Thanks for this link - I wanted the cheapest pool on there, and I found it on another site, but I think it's like $10 cheaper there!

To the OP - My babies are coming in December...I could send you my pool (if shipping is ridiculous, maybe even help you with that) when I'm done with it?