To-do list for DH when I go into labor

[Quirky]

OK, my dh worked as an EMT for a couple of years, and is very cool-headed, so I don't expect he will panic when I go into labor....but I am putting together a to-do list for him anyway. So far I've got:

1) Call midwife and assistant (with phone numbers)
2) Call my mom (she's ds' labor support person) (with phone numbers)
3) Make sure doors are unlocked, front light is on, alarm system is off
4) Set up birth tub in bedroom
5) Make up bed (clean sheets, shower curtains, labor sheets)
6) Bring up boxes of birth supplies from downstairs bedroom to master bedroom
7) Take lasagne out of freezer and put in fridge to defrost

Plus list of people to be called once baby is here

Anything else you can think of to put down to remind him of?

[Artisan]

I've been checking to see if you've made a birth announcement yet!

What about:
--get receiving blankets ready to be warmed
--get crockpot with water and compresses ready
--bring birth ball to bedroom
--cut up plate of fruit for you and midwife to snack on
--run to grocery store to stock up on essentials for next few days in early labor
--make sure you have plenty of Advil/Aleve in the house for afterpains

I wish you a safe and speedy delivery!

[tmarina]

This one was on my list:

"be completely confident in me and trust birth. I will feel it."

After the birth, my dh thanked me for that. He said he held on to that thought through the birth. I could tell.

[Quirky]

Great ideas, both of you!

Still hanging in there, at 39 weeks 3 days....ds went to 42, so I am trying to be patient (not very successfully!)

[Artisan]

Hang in there, Quirky! I know it's hard. Let us know when your little one arrives - I wish you the birth of your dreams.

[our veggie baby]

I am doing some of the things suggested, so that my hubby will know what to do, what I expect etc...
another good idea a mama gave me was to write down what you expect from hubby emotionally too....and I thought it was a great idea!! I mean, some people feel like they shouldn't have to tell their hubbys/partners, that they should instinctively "know", and some do, but this mama told me it is very intimidating to a person, especially a man (pardon the generalization) to just say "be there for me"...because like she said, what the hell does that mean exactly???

So I am basically writing what I expect emotionally as well as the other preparations mentioned above--I am including specific phrases I think will be very helpful and comforting, specific things to remind me to envision/think about...specific things that I DON'T think will be helpful (i.e. "are you okay?"...of freaking course not buddy LOL)....
so my husband will feel more prepared, useful, and relaxed, as well as being of a bigger help to me!

Hope that helps!

[darsmama]

I prepared my DH beforehand with the fact that I might beg and beg to go to the hosp., for drugs, etc. and for him to distract me or just tell me that lets get through a few more contrax first. It worked!

[AngieB]

I would suggest finding someone else to do some of those things on your list such as making the bed and setting up the pool, maybe a close friend or family member. Your dh's main job should be supporting you.
My labor went pretty fast and my dh and mom were busy getting the bed ready and setting up the pool and getting all the supplies together. I was left all alone in another room really struggling with some of the contrations and needing some support. Finally I told my dh to forget about the pool I needed him to be with me. I ended up not needing the pool, the midwife said we would not have had time to get it filled before the baby came anyway.