For those of you who have had a UC or Homebirth. What were the things (tools) you would say are absolutely essential? And what are some things you ended up not needing? I am really not sure what to get yet... I would love to hear what you couldn't have UCed without.
Emily
We didn't need much. We put an old shower curtain down with some old towels and blankets on top...that was great for birthing on, very little clean up. We didn't buy a birthing kit because I knew we wouldn't need much. We used scissors and floss for the umbilical cord. The bulb syringe wasn't needed...I can't think of anything else we had on hand. I had some herbs that I didn't need to use (I didn't take any herbs at all actually). It was very simple & low-key.
I agree with PP. This is my basic list
For birth
-waterproof covering for floor
-waterproof covering for bed(covered by old sheets made over your regular sheets-makes for easy transition after birth if you birth there)
-extra towels and blankets
-chux pads for sitting places after the birth
-bucket for placenta(I used an old ice cream one)
-cord clamps for baby
-sterilized one time use scalpel(for cutting the cord-you could use scissors too)
-bulb syringe(didn't use it either)
-crock pot and washcloths for hot compresses(felt good!!!)
-my essential oil kit(I would not give birth without this)
-RRL tea(labor brew)
For after the birth
-rescue remedy(for shock, also helps body readjust quickly)
-shepherd's purse(for pp bleeding)
-liquid chlorophyll(helps rebuild blood supply)
-baby things-diapers/hat/clothes
-momma things-nursing bra/pads, regular pads or prefolds(for lochia)
-sitz bath herbs(felt great for a sore bottom)
-goldenseal(for the cord)
-big bottle of hydrogen peroxide(gets out blood stains in sheets/towels/and carpets)
Even with all these things, my birth kit is pretty small. There are a bunch of other things that can go on the list also like-honey sticks(to keep up energy), food(for you and birth team), massage oils and tools, toilet paper/wipes(for poops), etc, etc. I you are going unassisted you will need to get things yourself, if you have a mw attending you at home, she will have alot of these things and probably provide you with a list of what to get. When we were pg with #4 I bought an emergency OB kit-$9 from cascade, and we used the clamps and the scalpel, that was it. So I think it pretty much depends on what you want
I haven't ever given birth before, but this is my birth kit:
- Labor/birth pool
- Lots of extra towels/receiving blankets
- Puppy pads (lol)
- Waterproof sheet (also have a waterproof table cover for anywhere else I might want it)
- Olive oil, hot water, and wash cloth (for my poor perineum, lol)
- Cord clamps and sterile scissors
- Glass of ice water, straws
- Placenta Out
- Wide, shallow bowl for placenta (I found it for 75 cents at a random hardware store and I took one look at it and was like, that's my placenta bowl. Lol.)
- Camera
- Pen and paper to write down times, or anything else of interest
- Things for the babies, like a scale, tape measure, diapers, etc.
If you are planning to listen to FHTs, you'll want to buy or borrow a fetoscope or doppler. It can come in handy if your labor seems to taking longer than expected & you want to check on the babe. It's my opinion that many UC transports over the years could have been avoided if mom & dad had prepared to check FHTs.
I like blunt tip scissors for cutting the cord
oxyclean or peroxide for getting blood out
boiled ties or sterile clamps for the cord
something for after-pains and hemorrhoids/sore bottoms
The suggestions here are fantastic, as you really don't need a whole bunch of things, IMO. The one thing I didn't see was a bottle to squirt water for when you pee after birth. It really helped me ease the sting applying cold water while peeing.
1. Peace and quiet
2. Warm water
3. Lots of old and/or dark colored towels
4. Something to cut the cord (bought cord scissors off EBAY) and something to tie it with (dental tape, embroidery thread ect.)
5. My DP
6. Gregory White's Emergency Childbirth and/or UC info sheets or other childbirth guide
7. Clothes and diapers for baby
8. A camera with fresh batteries
9. Bag of herbal remedies and oral vit K drops for baby
10. A computer and internet connection to update my FB status and post pictures after it's all over!
This is my Top Ten, but everyone is going to have a different list based on their personal beliefs, research, experience, life-style and comfort level. No hatin' please!
I wanted to add... If possible... give yourself some time before folks/friends come over to visit to take it all in.
We didn't need much. We put an old shower curtain down with some old towels and blankets on top...that was great for birthing on, very little clean up. We didn't buy a birthing kit because I knew we wouldn't need much. We used scissors and floss for the umbilical cord. The bulb syringe wasn't needed...I can't think of anything else we had on hand. I had some herbs that I didn't need to use (I didn't take any herbs at all actually). It was very simple & low-key.
shower curtain with blankets, great idea! Yes I plan on keeping it simple too.
I agree with PP. This is my basic list
For birth
-waterproof covering for floor
-waterproof covering for bed(covered by old sheets made over your regular sheets-makes for easy transition after birth if you birth there)
-extra towels and blankets
-chux pads for sitting places after the birth
-bucket for placenta(I used an old ice cream one)
-cord clamps for baby
-sterilized one time use scalpel(for cutting the cord-you could use scissors too)
-bulb syringe(didn't use it either)
-crock pot and washcloths for hot compresses(felt good!!!)
-my essential oil kit(I would not give birth without this)
-RRL tea(labor brew)
For after the birth
-rescue remedy(for shock, also helps body readjust quickly)
-shepherd's purse(for pp bleeding)
-liquid chlorophyll(helps rebuild blood supply)
-baby things-diapers/hat/clothes
-momma things-nursing bra/pads, regular pads or prefolds(for lochia)
-sitz bath herbs(felt great for a sore bottom)
-goldenseal(for the cord)
-big bottle of hydrogen peroxide(gets out blood stains in sheets/towels/and carpets)
Even with all these things, my birth kit is pretty small. There are a bunch of other things that can go on the list also like-honey sticks(to keep up energy), food(for you and birth team), massage oils and tools, toilet paper/wipes(for poops), etc, etc. I you are going unassisted you will need to get things yourself, if you have a mw attending you at home, she will have alot of these things and probably provide you with a list of what to get. When we were pg with #4 I bought an emergency OB kit-$9 from cascade, and we used the clamps and the scalpel, that was it. So I think it pretty much depends on what you want
Hydrogen peroxide, never would have thought of that. And I think I will get some things for a sitz bath, I was sore with my first and I would like to try them. Thanks!
Oh and for PP I am not sure about liquid chlorophyll (what is that) but I will be making placenta smoothies with E3 live (chlorophyll). And I don't plan on having any herbs for PP bleeding because I was just going to cut a piece of the placenta off and stick it in my mouth (plus BF my newborn).
I haven't ever given birth before, but this is my birth kit:
- Labor/birth pool
- Lots of extra towels/receiving blankets
- Puppy pads (lol)
- Waterproof sheet (also have a waterproof table cover for anywhere else I might want it)
- Olive oil, hot water, and wash cloth (for my poor perineum, lol)
- Cord clamps and sterile scissors
- Glass of ice water, straws
- Placenta Out
- Wide, shallow bowl for placenta (I found it for 75 cents at a random hardware store and I took one look at it and was like, that's my placenta bowl. Lol.)
- Camera
- Pen and paper to write down times, or anything else of interest
- Things for the babies, like a scale, tape measure, diapers, etc.
Oh yeah I forgot about recording the time of birth-DUH! Well DH will have to do that.
If you are planning to listen to FHTs, you'll want to buy or borrow a fetoscope or doppler. It can come in handy if your labor seems to taking longer than expected & you want to check on the babe. It's my opinion that many UC transports over the years could have been avoided if mom & dad had prepared to check FHTs.
I like blunt tip scissors for cutting the cord
oxyclean or peroxide for getting blood out
boiled ties or sterile clamps for the cord
something for after-pains and hemorrhoids/sore bottoms
I have a regular stethoscope so far, but I don't think I will bother with the FHTs because honestly I think it will just add stress to me. It is reassuring for some, but a hassle for me. But I guess if I get very anxious it might calm my nerves. Can you do it with a regular stethoscope?
The suggestions here are fantastic, as you really don't need a whole bunch of things, IMO. The one thing I didn't see was a bottle to squirt water for when you pee after birth. It really helped me ease the sting applying cold water while peeing.
OH yeah I forgot about that one, my life saver with birth #1. It was the only way I could pee PP for a month! Where do I buy one of those? Online or would walmart/target have them?
1. Peace and quiet
2. Warm water
3. Lots of old and/or dark colored towels
4. Something to cut the cord (bought cord scissors off EBAY) and something to tie it with (dental tape, embroidery thread ect.)
5. My DP
6. Gregory White's Emergency Childbirth and/or UC info sheets or other childbirth guide
7. Clothes and diapers for baby
8. A camera with fresh batteries
9. Bag of herbal remedies and oral vit K drops for baby
10. A computer and internet connection to update my FB status and post pictures after it's all over!
This is my Top Ten, but everyone is going to have a different list based on their personal beliefs, research, experience, life-style and comfort level. No hatin' please!
nice list, simple which I like. I LOVE number 1 and I have read number 6, love it.
I wanted to add... If possible... give yourself some time before folks/friends come over to visit to take it all in.
definitely. Harder said than done, but I will have to talk to DH about his family members. It added stress to me with DS when there were people around wanting to hold him and play with him when he was not even a week old. I wanted more alone time .
So far this is what I have on my list.
We used:
*Laptop for contractionmaster.com and mp3s
*Cord string (hemp IIRC) or you could get clips
*Birth Ball (and chux pad on top of it in case water breaks)
*Shower curtain + blanket on top of that. With DS2 I turned and sat... on the edge... placenta separated... blood all over white carpet in the rental. So... BE MINDFUL of where the curtain ends LOL
*My go-to rip-off-the-wall oh-crap sheets. Seen here on the mirror in the bathroom. Link to them in the UC birth resources if you want to print and put them up. (FWIW, we didn't NEED them, but the peace of mind was priceless)
*Placenta bowl.
*Sheperd's Purse and PlacentaOut (didn't need, but just in case). And Tylenol (ContractEase made my contractions weaker, resulting in more bleeding and near hemorrhaging. Shepherd's Purse was painful, so I took Tylenol. Lots of it. And whined like a baby)
*Peri bottle (aaaaah).
*A few of those pads that you bust and it turns into an ice-pack too.
*Fetoscope
*I didn't wind up with a waterbirth, but a $0.99 fish tank net is worth it just in case 
*Crockpot and rags... THAT felt SO good!!
That's all I can think of 
HTH!
1: Peace and quiet
2: String to tie the cord off, I've never used clamps.
3: Bathtub or just wherever. I use older sheets and a mattress protector, but I think I'd be uncomfortable on a shower curtain in bed.
4: A couple changes of clothes for me (I cannot stand feeling sweaty in clothes!) and for the baby.
5: Soft towels.
6: Food and drink. Whatever I feel like.
7: Fresh air. Don't feel confined to a home or a room in the home.
8: Sterilized scissors.
9: Ice packs or a heating pad, depending largely on time of year, LOL. The major source of my post-labour pain is actually in my lower back, I have very little pain otherwise, but it's good for all kinds of pain
10: If you have carpet where you'll be giving birth, make sure to lay towels over it. Hardwood and tile are a lifesaver!
11: Bowl or bag or whatever for the placenta. We bury it outside in the woods, but some people... do other stuff with it, I guess
Also, if you even think you might be doing anything on your bed... do a sheet sandwich.
1. put on a clean sheet
2. lay down a shower curtain
3. put on some older sheets
That way after the birth or afterbirth or postpartum hemorrhage (my case lol), you can just strip off the top layer and have a nice clean bed.
OH yeah I forgot about that one, my life saver with birth #1. It was the only way I could pee PP for a month! Where do I buy one of those? Online or would walmart/target have them?
We ordered one labeled "peri bottle" from In His Hands with some other birth supplies and I kid you not it was just a plastic bottle with a squirt top that you could pick up at Wal Mart! So you really don't need anything fancy-just something that squirts.
Someone posted "puppy pads" but please do not buy the pads that are meant for potty training dogs. Those have been chemically treated and you do not want those near your bum. You can get chux pads in the same section as Depends and other incontinence products.
Our birth supplies consisted of:
*old towels
*receiving blankets
*scissors sterilized in boiling water
*embroidery floss for the cord
*chux pads (which we used like 2 of!)
*blow up fishy pool
*cheap table cloth (the kind that's plasticy on one side and soft/fuzzy on the other-we put it under/in front of the pool with the fuzzy side up so I wouldn't drip water every where when getting out of the tub)
*Depends (awesome for PP bleeding!)
Um, I think that's about it. It's really amazing at how little you actually "need" to give birth.
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