logistics question

[mamahen2coop]

So I'm really trying to get ready for baby before I'm in labor. I'm a serious procrastinator!
Anyway, I'm hoping to deliver in the birth tub outside. But I keep reading how the midwife wanted there to be somewhere for you to lay down kind of close to where you deliver. So if i delivered outside could I just have the lounge chair around? Would that be sufficient? So the outside area I'm thinking of is on the daylight basement level. So there is a full bathroom and bedroom down there, maybe 30 ft from the outside area. But, if I did deliver out there, I think I would eventually want to snuggle into my own bed or couch which are on the next story up, 1 flight of about 20 stairs.
I'm just trying to think that if I get to deliver outside like I want I dont want to be stuck outside forever afterwards. OR, if I do have to stay on the same floor, then maybe I'll try to get the bedroom down there ready for delivery too.

Another question...
Did you buy extra sheets just for the birth? I dont have a whole ton of sheet sets for the guest bed (queen) or our bed (king). Pretty much just one cotton summer set and a flannel winter set. Should I get some more sheets?

[XanaduMama]

I would get something more substantial than a lounge chair for right next to the tub/pool--can you move a recliner or a sofa/futon out there? Afterward, you'll likely be fine to walk to your own bed/couch--I climbed stairs to take a bath and a nap after my HB, no problem, but some MWs are stricter than others about stair-climbing. But either way, you'll want something comfy to collapse onto while you get stitched up and baby gets weighed and so forth.

I didn't bother with special sheets for my bed, since I knew I wasn't going to be birthing there. I recommend investing in some Depends for after the birth--cuts way down on any, ahem, leakage and is just way convenient and comfortable. Great for laboring after ROM, too!

[XanaduMama]

And just out of curiosity: are you going to birth outside even if it's in the middle of the night? Raining? I'm in OR and not sure I'd count on it being warm/dry enough even in July!

[mamahen2coop]

Originally Posted by XanaduMama 

And just out of curiosity: are you going to birth outside even if it's in the middle of the night? Raining? I'm in OR and not sure I'd count on it being warm/dry enough even in July!

I dont plan to be outside if its night or raining. Generally the end of July can be pretty hot really, but it is the PNW and you just. never. know!!! I mean I wanted to hang my laundry outside today and it was raining. UGH!

I just cant picture where I'm going to deliver except outside. I'm just going to get everywhere ready and go where ever feels right. But I cant imagine delivering on my own bed, maybe the guest room. I can kind of picture putting the tub in the kitchen area, which is really open and has the same view of the mountains and water. We'll see I guess! My luck something crazy will happen and I'll have to transfer.

[XanaduMama]

This is your view??? Are you kidding me?! WOW! I don't blame you for wanting to birth with that vista in view.

Depending on what kind of pool you're using, you could just wait to fill it/set it up until you're in active labor and know what the weather etc is going to look like. I used a fishy pool, which I inflated and left in the basement about a week ahead of time; it was easy to move and filled quickly once I got it going. The kitchen area sounds like a great compromise!

[mamahen2coop]

Originally Posted by XanaduMama 

This is your view??? Are you kidding me?! WOW! I don't blame you for wanting to birth with that vista in view.

Depending on what kind of pool you're using, you could just wait to fill it/set it up until you're in active labor and know what the weather etc is going to look like. I used a fishy pool, which I inflated and left in the basement about a week ahead of time; it was easy to move and filled quickly once I got it going. The kitchen area sounds like a great compromise!

Yea, that's my view Except lately since theres too many clouds I can only see the water! ugh.
I'm anticipating going pretty quickly this time so I think what I might do is set up the real tub in the kitchen area and a dedicated kiddy pool outside just in case. We'll see what my midwife says when she does the home visit in a few weeks I guess. She might have other ideas!