Supplies that get used

[LeighPF]

I am looking at my midwifes supply list and I am wondering which supplies got used at your homebirth?

[delightedbutterfly]

Do you have a copy of the list? 

From what I can remember it was Big towels (not really facecloths), absorbant pads and recieving blankets were the most used. 

We had a water birth so while the bed was prepped we didn't use it... But we could have done with way more towels. I had all the towels she asked for. Everything else was stuff that she brought. 

Now I could be wrong, as I wasn't really paying too much attention ;)

Oh and I didn't buy a fish net for the pool and really really needed that. And a peri bottle would have been nice but didn't have that and my mom couldn't figure out what I was asking for...

[LeighPF]

http://gentlebirthcare.com/Supply_List.html

[delightedbutterfly]

Are you planning on a water birth or a dry birth... Water birth will eliminate a lot of stuff...

But looking at your list and thinking of what we used (water birth) most of that list is pretty much used or needed in case of used. One thing we didn't have and I didn't use was any of the herbs or homeopathic stuffs...

You don't need depends if you have lots of thick and BIG pads and underwear you don't mind ruining... but truthfully I would totally get the Depends if/when we do it again!

[LeighPF]

Water birth is the plan again (I had a hospital birth center water birth with E and would have chosen that tub over my husband in a heartbeat)

I have a bunch of the big pads left over, but with my first two really did not bleed all that much.

[etsdtm99]

I never use all the pads either, but i still loved the depends for the first day or two ..  i also love the mesh underwear though so i may be strange ;)

your list is shorter than mine and it sounds like all very reasonable stuff to have on hand..

[LeighPF]

I loved the mesh underwear too, which surprised me.

I think it is a useful list (though I am not much for the homeopathic) but just curious.

[Voondrop]

I used Depends w/ my homebirth & had a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a single ply diaper down there which I did NOT like. It made me feel undignified but they surely did help. I did save my mesh panties after my last baby, as I use cloth for my menstrual cycle & nothing keeps them in place like mesh panties. For this baby I'll likely go back to the Depends. We've been w/out a washing machine for over a year & laundry is done in the sink so any work I can save I will.

[amlikam]

I am surprised they ask you to pack a bag for the hospital?

[JamieCatheryn]

I've heard of freezing pads soaked in witch hazel for cold packs after, might work a little nicer than peas.

I used maybe half the underpads, mw used only a few of the gloves, used some olive oil, cord clamp, hydrogen peroxide and alcohol, arnica oil infusion (brought down swelling in 2nd stage), povidone (sp?) antibacterial wash, I used a few towels, and snacks and juice.

[phathui5]

Originally Posted by amlikam 

I am surprised they ask you to pack a bag for the hospital?

It's better than having to grab stuff for mom/baby in the event of transport.

[phathui5]

All I really used was the disposable Chux and Afterease. The rest of it is still in a box in my room.

[kristenburgess]

I have always really appreciated the Chux for under me and babe the first few days.  I'm also a fan of the mesh underwear and the peri-bottle.  I like the high-quality bulb syringe - not for right after birth but in the months that follow.  The ones that come in the birth kit work... the ones from the drug stores don't. 

Also, bendy straws are wonderful :)

I used mamacloth after my last baby and won't go back to OB pads.  Really I don't use much else, though my midwife has other things (alcohol pads, gauze, etc.) in the birth kit and maybe they get used and I don't realize it :p

[velveeta]

Yes, definitely the chux are great. And the depends, and the peri bottles. I like to have several of those. I wonder whether I will pack a hospital bag. I don't know. I did have a transfer for a cesarean for my most recent birth, so I might have a few items set aside. I had two home births before that.

[Kamiro]

Hi there :)

We definitely used:

Chux pads

Mama pads

Hydrogen peroxide (for getting rid of stains)

straws (for ease of drinking liquids)

bowl (for placental catching)

peri bottles

herbs

emergen-c or recharge. Some kind of vitamin drink. :)

towels and receiving blankets (more if planning a water birth).

Best of luck and many blessings on your birth!

[SamSarah]

My midwife suggested freezing a few pads in a large bowl so it would be a conducive shape. 

[SamSarah]

Here's the list of the 'delux' kit at my midwifery centre - for what it's worth.  I'm interested in everyone's responses as I'm just setting up.  

In the Deluxe Kit you will find:

15- Blue under pads

2- Plastic backed sheets

12- Maternity maxi Pads or Upgrade to Naturacare organic Maxi’s

1- Peri Bottle

2- Straws:

1- Newborn baby hat

2- Garbage Bags

1- Zip Loc Placenta Bag

1- Digital Thermometer

1-Pair of mesh panties

 

Plus:

1-Package Perineal Wash herbs with instructions

1-Package of Growing Belly tea

1-Bag Epsom Salts

1-Bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide

1-Bottle Lavender essential oil

1-Vial Arnica

1-Bag of Calming Mama tea

A few ideas that have come my way for at home water births:  One of those emergency shiny blankets: to lie over the water to keep the water warm in the tub until you are ready to use it.  Placing yoga mats (or something like it) under the tub for a little more padding. 

[nstewart]

Originally Posted by SamSarah 

My midwife suggested freezing a few pads in a large bowl so it would be a conducive shape. 

When I was pregnant with DS, this was suggested but also to freeze the pads with a mixture of water and Calendula oil, to help with healing.

I was fortunate and didn't find I really needed anything frozen, but if you did I imagine the Calendula would be soothing.

I love the idea of Depends!  Smart! 

What are Chux?

[cottonwood]

I used hardly anything in my kit! Ended up being a waste of money. I assembled my own the next time, and it got more and more simple with each birth...

For my last I had:

various simple foods I like to keep my energy up

drinking water at hand

lots and lots of recently laundered towels and blankets and cloths and diapers sitting nearby, more than you think you'll need

a waterproof pad (mine is about 3'x3' and has a soft cotton side, got it at a medical supply store)

cushion for kneeling on

warm robe

a candle (night-light would have worked too) and lighter

camera ready to go

bowl for placenta, sterile scissors and tie

favorite food for afterwards

heating pad for afterpains (only an issue after the first)

Rather than use chux or depends I preferred just using towels. After the birth I sat on towels and used folded up cloths to catch flow. I just felt more comfortable without having confining clothing on me. I despise those mesh panties! They feel clinical and don't fit right or feel good.

I didn't dress the baby. Just skin to skin, covered with a blanket, and if the baby leaves my body the blanket goes with baby. It is hard to dress a newborn!
 

[mothercat]

I'm a midwife and following this discussion about birth kits.

I do home birth as well as birth center and don't have my families buy birth kits for just the reasons stated, a waste of money. I order supplies in bulk and take what I need to the birth. I also supply the family with a big box of washable linens and as we clean up after the birth I take all the dirty stuff back to the birth center with me for laundering. The family is left with a few damp towels, at most.

A question about foods after birth. Anyone using chocolate milk immediately after the birth?

Linda,

Midwife