Preparing for birth and birth supplies « Back to Group Discussions

[nhklh]

I'm having our 3rd child but since our first 2 were planned sections, I have absolutely no experience whatsoever with labour and birth!  I've read lots of books, I plan to get The Pink Kit, I've watched homebirth videos on youtube.  But I've no idea how any of this will relate to *me* and *my* experience.

I feel a bit lost, like I won't know what to do/how to do it, how to prepare, and any "things" I might need that might be useful!  My birthworker has birth pools she loans out, so that's covered, but I'm wondering what might be helpful in terms of other things, maybe herbs, homeopathics, anything "practical".

So, for those who've BTDT, what sorts of things did you do/have that were useful?  What wasn't?  And for those who are new to this, what are your plans?

[travelmumma]

I am in the same situation. 

Things I have found most useful- reading home birth stories! they tend to contain the befores and afters of the birth, like setting up pool, getting old towels, have a spray bottle close to the toilet for after babe is born.

As far as things that i will have on hand- 

-Lots of old towels (washed, dried and put in a bit zip lock bag or container)

-Champagne in fridge :)

- A tarp or 2 from Bunnings to pop under pool

- some "blueys" to catch extra stuff if I'm in an unexpected location.

- Thermometer, water, ice, iPod, watermelon, phone, RRL tea, big comfy undies and pad, sits bath ingredients, motherwort, shepherds purse, big container for placenta, camera, dressing gown or old top, blanket for bub, syntocin in fridge for "just in case" ....

With all the herbs and tinctures etc, your midwife should have most of them on hand or she will be able to point you in the right direction with what she uses and recommends.

And Im sure by about week 34 you will have had a "birth meeting" where she will give you a list of the things she recommends you have on hand. (If not I will happily give you a copy of mine when my midwife gives me it)...

Thats about all I can think of now.. Sure there is more, and just general stuff like have house fairly tidy etc

Edited by travelmumma - 6/21/12 at 12:41am

[travelmumma]

Also you might find this usefil

http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1288033/all-the-herbs-and-natural-remedies-tips-and-tricks

Its a link to a thread on the home birth area of MDC, explaining how to use all the herbs etc

[segolilymama]

A doula friend of mine recommends getting some pads & spraying them with a combination of water & 3 essential oils - Frankensense, Helichrysum, and Lavender - then freeze them! great for the first week post-partum (if you do tear and/or get stitches, I would test this very carefully to make sure it doesn't burn!).

Blue pads (can;t remember what they are called! - oh yeah, Chux pads!) are awesome - and I use the extras under the sheet for diaper & breastmilk leaks (I co-sleep with all of my kids for about 2 years).

Pick a specil blanket and/or outfit to wrap baby in after the birth - wash & dry and put in a zip-lock to keep it sanitary.

I also HIGHLY recommend having a birth ball, if your MW doesn't have one she will bring. But I like to have mine around to sit on for the whole last trimester - much more comfy than chairs!

I also recommend having several choices of music at hand - you may want nothing, or something very quiet, or something with more movement, etc - make a few playlists.

Your midwife will definitely have a list of what she requires and/or recommends.

Don;t get too worried :) It will all be perfect :)
 

[watchedpot]

I think the suggestions above are great and cover most of it! I would also say to have a special post-birth meal on hand - something nice & filling, easy to re-heat or prepare and of course something you love. I had shrimp & grits after my first was born and it was *delicious*! I'll probably have the same after this one arrives. I thought that was one of the huge perks of giving birth at home - instant access to real food, made by me, whenever I happened to want it.

Also, my midwives last time recommended that we buy condoms (a weird experience when 38 weeks pregnant), fill them with 50% water and 50% vodka and freeze. These are amazing for topical use postpartum. I found that the frozen pads got mushy and warmed up too quickly, plus they dripped everywhere as they melted. The vodka keeps them from freezing solid, making them squishy so they don't poke you in weird ways, they don't make a huge mess as they warm, and they can be reused by just sticking them back in the freezer. Loved them so much. If you get lubricated condoms you'll want to wash them off before you fill them, of course :).

Good luck!

[CaMummy]

Originally Posted by watchedpot 

Also, my midwives last time recommended that we buy condoms (a weird experience when 38 weeks pregnant), fill them with 50% water and 50% vodka and freeze. These are amazing for topical use postpartum.

Lol! I did a similar thing but using surgical gloves.  I filled them with water then tied off the fingers and froze! I never heard of the vodka trick though - so I am keen to try that one!

I would also recommend having arnica homeopathic pellets handy too - they are brilliant for speeding the healing process! And witch hazel is good, in case you have hemmorhoids.

[mamatwo8]

heres my two cents ,

this will be our 3rd HB, hopefully 2nd UC as well... when we did use a MW she had a list of things to buy, she also had her own, we went ahead and bought what we thought was worth it, which skeeved her a bit because we didnt "buy" hers... oh well... for our last (UCHB) we used chux pads,cord clamp and well that was about it!

 cold pads for postpartum were awesome,Goldenseal for the cord was great, I also had Arnica , Shepards Purse, RRL, EPO (for late pregnancy) ... lots of water on hand for drinking, little goodies (which I never got to eat, I was in the zone)

I might get a few things like a placenta bag, I was thinking of doing a ;lotus birth this time? I might make one??

We really didnt need much. I dont plan on wasting money on a lot this time around... I will go thru my birth supplies soon to double check what I have and see if anything is low.. otherwise thats it.

MHO- all you need for labor and homebirth is a prepared calm mind, pregnant body, and a few towels!

[segolilymama]

MHO- all you need for labor and homebirth is a prepared calm mind, pregnant body, and a few towels!

Where's the like button, mamatwo8? It's so true - with my last (planned UC birth but was emergency hospital transfer, argh), I had chux pads, some clothes & blankets & a diaper ready, and dental floss for the cord :) All the rest is luxury - but hey, we're at home, why not create luxury?!?!?

[lulubikes]

OMG, the vodka/water condoms are a great idea. I've never heard of that. As everyone has said most homebirth midwives do give you a list of what they want you to get for the birth.

I debated whether this was appropriate, but I'm going to do a shameless plug here for my business that I started and run out of my house, which sells birth supplies! www.RadiantBelly.com. Many midwives have set up their custom kits with me and you can get all the supplies individually too. Sorry, I only ship to the US for those international mamas...

Cheers!

[nhklh]

More reasons to buy vodka, yay!  (Other reasons are to make vanilla essence, and placenta tincture if I decide to do that.)

Really good list by a doula and HB mama here:

http://melbournedoula.blogspot.com.au/2008/06/suggestions-for-your-home-birth-kit.html

[nhklh]

I am now amusing myself with the idea of lesbians going to the shop for vodka'n'condoms hehe.