Oh wow!!!

[UnderTheMoon]

Hi!  I have been searching the internet for a site that feels like a good fit, and I think I finally found it!  It seems like no-one these days wants to be intune with there body.  I think it’s so sad to see so many people denying what there hearts and body’s tell them.  I try to help when I see people struggling with decisions.  I even have little papers made up that talk about natural birth, elimination coomunication, brestfeeding … all the things that look like small decisions until you add them all together.  Sadly, I don’t get alot of response but I still try.

I am pregnant with my fifth baby and am not seeking pregnancy care.  I’m planning to birth alone in candlelight – this speaks to my authentic needs.  this babys father isn’t around.  I’ve aksed my mom to take care of the other four when I go into labor but her husband isn’t crazy about it.  I figure I’ll just call them when I’m in early labor – what can they say at that point? LOL

I think I’m due around mid=march – I wasn’t really keeping track.   My fundus is measuring a bit ahead for weeks so maybe sooner?

The reason my mom desnt’ want to keep the kids is bcause shes worried about my pregnancy.  I have high blodd pressure and diabetes – all of which are fine as long as i don't get stressed out.  Like when my mom goes on and on. LOL.  I have no worries about my body being able to handle this birth but explaining it to my mother and her mainstream friends  is getting tiring and boring. LOL  I think she’d be more accepting if her husband (not my father) was less critical.  He works in administration at a hospital so he’s all about the managed hospital nightmare.  He even offered to speak to an OB for me, like I was only avoiding medical care bc I didn’t have a doctor I was confortable with. LOL

Anyways, I’m really looking forward to getting to know all of you!  How did you decide what supplies you need to birth at home?  I see long lists and my eyes glaze over.  LOL  as long as baby and I are warm and comfortable, that’s what matters.  Right?

[Legatia]

I don't have much to say but I'm glad you found this forum for support! I know it's hard when no one around you understands your choices. For the supplies, I don't think you actually have to get a lot, just go with what you feel is necessary. I'm not pregnant yet, but I don't even think I'd buy anything for my UC. Maybe a sharp knife to cut the cord and extra towels, but I don't even feel it would be necessary.

[tracymom1]

Welcome!

There are a lot of "list" threads on here - but what I think it comes down to is your comfort level. I say get some chux pads, scissors (and cord clamps and ties if you feel necessary), herbals to help in case of a PP bleed, and lots of warm blankets for the baby. Everything else is negotiable.

I will probably get a scale and a new fishy pool, too. I am thinking about getting some emergency neonatal supplies, too, but not sure yet. But I think that's about it. My last homebirth was attended by a DEM who pretty much brought nothing with her and did not touch me once during the labor so I guess I learned from that but very little is actually needed.

[UnderTheMoon]

Thanks you guys!  Its so refreshing to find a place where your normal instead of getting dirty looks.

tracymom1, i'd really like a pool but i'm not sure my landlord will let me.  I'm on the second floor and I know I saw something in the lease abut not being aloud to have waterbeds.  I don't want to ask in case he won't let me birth here.  like he could stop me LOL

[Mamatoabunch]

Welcome! You don't need to ask about a birth pool, it isn't permanent like a waterbed. As to supplies you can have tone of stuff. I have mostly only used cord clamps, chux pads, scissors, sheperd's purse once, pool, old towels, old sheets.

[ElizabethE]

Under-- so glad you've found us. Please see my responses in red. :)
 

Originally Posted by UnderTheMoon 

Hi!  I have been searching the internet for a site that feels like a good fit, and I think I finally found it! It IS great. It seems like no-one these days wants to be intune with there body.  I think it’s so sad to see so many people denying what there hearts and body’s tell them. We've been conditioned to not trust ourselves.

Aside from this, let me speak from my own past pain-- people who feel they have "failed" at going natural, for whatever reason, often misdirect their pain. The feeling of wanting something and having it go completely differently or even horribly can cause a lot of inner turmoil and a lot of these people end up at the other side of the spectrum with the philosophy that natural childbirth is a sham. They feel bitter. They think that it most definitely is NOT achievable for everyone, when in fact it IS achievable for most-- regardless of their own bad experiences. Instead of asking questions and trying to examine what may have truly went wrong in their individual cases, they believe the "experts" and no longer trust their own bodies or instincts. It's a place of great pain for which I have much sympathy... We need to. It's very lonely. But amazingly... the way out is through.

  I try to help when I see people struggling with decisions.  I even have little papers made up that talk about natural birth, elimination coomunication, brestfeeding … all the things that look like small decisions until you add them all together.  Sadly, I don’t get alot of response but I still try.  People aren't really open to change. Let them initiate the conversations and then offer your educated opinion. :) Planting a seed may not sprout for a while and you may not even witness it come to fruition, but the seed is there...

I am pregnant with my fifth baby and am not seeking pregnancy care.  I’m planning to birth alone in candlelight – this speaks to my authentic needs. I applaud you for understanding your body and your needs so well, so intuitively. this babys father isn’t around.  I’ve aksed my mom to take care of the other four when I go into labor but her husband isn’t crazy about it.  I figure I’ll just call them when I’m in early labor – what can they say at that point? LOL  Good luck, and I hope their role/involvement in this situation does not become an issue in your peaceful birth. :( Have you considered having the kids with you? How old are they? Is there anyone close to you who believes in you?

I think I’m due around mid=march – I wasn’t really keeping track. Mid-March-- me too!  My fundus is measuring a bit ahead for weeks so maybe sooner?

The reason my mom desnt’ want to keep the kids is bcause shes worried about my pregnancy.  I have high blodd pressure and diabetes – all of which are fine as long as i don't get stressed out. Ah. This could be a good reason for the kids to be watched, just in case. I would let her know that if she is truly concerned for your well-being, she will let you make the choice right for you and assist you by watching the children. JMHO...  Like when my mom goes on and on. LOL.  I have no worries about my body being able to handle this birth but explaining it to my mother and her mainstream friends  is getting tiring and boring. Yeah, that's a waste of time. LOL  I think she’d be more accepting if her husband (not my father) was less critical. It's none of his business and he should stay out of it... JMHO! He works in administration at a hospital so he’s all about the managed hospital nightmare. OMG... It would have been better if he hadn't even known about this. He even offered to speak to an OB for me, like I was only avoiding medical care bc I didn’t have a doctor I was confortable with. LOL

Anyways, I’m really looking forward to getting to know all of you!  How did you decide what supplies you need to birth at home?  I see long lists and my eyes glaze over.  LOL  as long as baby and I are warm and comfortable, that’s what matters.  Right?

We have some pretty good threads about supplies, so check out some of the more recent discussions and I think you will easily come across the links you need! SO much good info exists here, and in general I think the consensus on supplies is that birth is birth and will happen healthily regardless of how many preparatory items we acquire. Too true. But yeah, get yourself prepared and feel ready-- nothing beats that peace. My eyes glaze over, too, at the lists. Can I tell you what I have, off the top of my head? I'm not including things which are just personal for my own comfort, like music, candles, etc.

Birthing pool (kiddie, inflatable) plus the pump to blow up and hose to fill

A pan for placenta

Blankets

Twice-made bed with plastic sheets under cozy sheets

Scale to weigh baby, tape to measure length

Clock for the time, pad of paper to record stats

Lots of books read (in my head), plus handy copy of Emergency Childbirth

Pads for PP bleeding

Towels... around the room, on floor, in bed, and available for anything

A bucket... never know when you'll need a bucket handy...

Things I have but may not need

Alcohol to sterilize

Scissors

Rubber gloves

Cord clamp

Superglue for minor tears

A hospital back-up plan

Baby Thermometer and Aspirator

Also, I already have two children and my husband works long hours, so I have been freezing meals for about a week so that I can lighten my load a bit. No one is going to feel like cooking for a while. I also have a crock pot which is a nice thing to possess to simplify domestic life. HA!

Peace and love and health to you! Oh, Legatia and Tracy had great input.

Sadly I have found that even in a safe haven such as this, we are not immune to "dirty looks" via the internet. Don't let it deter you. We're already strong to be on this path-- we must use some of that strength to circumvent all needless obstacles. :( In any case, isn't it great to know you're not alone?!?!  :D

You don't really NEED a pool, and you could have a great birth without one, but I am just trying my best to optimize my experience and comfort which is why I have one. I think that if you want to try to ensure the best possible outcome, it may be worth your time to sneak a pool in and attempt to have it your way. I just would want you to feel as comfortable as you possibly could... but, a lot of women actually hated the pool, so you never know if you'll be of that feeling! :)

[UnderTheMoon]

I can't decide about the pool.  With one of my babys I tried to take a bath but was so darn uncomfortable.  and when I coulldn't enjoy it the nurse really pushed an epidural on me.  and then I was stuck in bed the whole time.  I don't know if having water this time would be like reclaiming my birthright or whether it would stall me thinking of the last time I was in water during labor.  Does that make any since?

[ElizabethE]

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. People tend to think if you're *too* comfortable, it stalls labor. I'm not sure I totally buy into that, especially since getting the epidural is KNOWN to stall labor. You shouldn't have to be in pain, though, for labor to progress. That kind of thinking is not accurate, but most of us believe it. The natural home births (water births included) tend to report higher satisfaction in terms of both comfort and labor lengths. You could go quickly! Some women get out of the pool just to deliver, though. You really have to listen to whatever your body is telling you at that moment in time.