I need help with my supply list!

[Piper's mama]

Hi everyone,
I will be having my first homebirth soon and I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row. I have a supply list from my MW, and I've gotten a few more ideas from a google search. But I know all you Mama's (and Papa's) out there have a few tricks up your sleeves and would like to know your "can't live without" ideas and tips. (I've already gotten out the beloved water sqirt bottle in case I have a little tear again ) We aren't having a water birth (I know I'm wierd, I just really hate being in water when I'm in labor) so I don't really need any tub advice, but everything else would be great. I guess any tips would be really great, even beyond supplies.
Thanks bunches

[momsmyjob]

Sorry I can't help. I can't stand to birth OUT of the water

Snacks are a good idea, in or out of water, for you and others. Music you might want to listen to. A fan, extra pillows, things like that I guess.

[taliasully]

I've got a good one

This will be my first homebirth too, and one thing I plan on having which sounds great is to get boiled water in a crok pot( slow cooker) add lavender oil to the water, and set it on warm, you can use it to soak wash cloths and to imerse your massage oil bottle to keep it warm, it is portable and will keep the water warm and ready to use, I also imagine it would give off a nice calming scent.

[VaMountainMomma]

What's on your list of supplies so far?

[Piper's mama]

OOOOOOOOhhhh Talia, that sounds really nice. Lavender is my favorite scent, and I just happen to have some growing in my herb garden Mountain Mama- just the basics I guess, I don't have it here with me but from what I remember....washcloths, change of sheets, something plastic to cover the bed, chux pads, crock pot, full tank of gas, candles, flashlights, baby blankets/etc., oil for periniel (sp?) massage, towels. That's all I can remember right now. Here's a question, what is the best type of oil? My skin is ultra sensitive when I'm pregnant, and I also don't really like strong scents during labor (yes, I can admit to being high maintenance pregnant lady )

[mamamilkers]

My mw's recommend just regular ol' olive oil for labor although I would probably use almond or apricot kernel oil as well.

I have pretty much the same things you do on my prep list and this is my first homebirth, as well. My main concern is having lots of good food and drink in the house, LOL! I just want to make sure I can keep my energy up for this labor.

Oh, as far as the essential oils, make sure you know you will like a particular scent while you're in labor before dousing everything with it. I have heard this tip from someone else and really thought it made sense, since I know that for myself I can get fickle with scents.

[Mama Dragon]

This is my kit (labor/delivery/recovery) so far (I haven't done a homebirth yet though):

Plastic mattress cover, as I imagine I'll be delivering squatting on the bed (that's what instincts tell me anyway)
Chux pads
Umbillical cord ties
1oz suction bulb
Oldest underwear (getting brand new ones to "celebrate" when my bleeding has lessened )
Overnight pads
Scissors
Peri bottle
My exercise ball (been using it as a computer chair since december already)

Plan on having lots of fruit in the house, and tea. Gatoraid and those kinds of drinks give me a migraine, and the baby will probably be allergic to milk like #3 is, so as soon as I go into labor, no more milk til I wean him.

[*guest]

Bendy straws to make it easier for someone to hold a drink for you if you're on hands and knees or something. Plenty of lip balm and hair ties. Barf bucket - I like those Umbra trash cans with the handles on each side, easy to carry around. List of important numbers if you think you'll want to call people after the birth. I made sure to put aside stuff like my rescue remedy and arnica in a special area of the medicine cabinet with a note on the outside so people can find it. I do not trust the husband to remember anything since his favorite thing to ask me is "honey, where's my..." I also made a list of snack items stored in the fridge and cabinets and posted it so no one is asking me where things are.

And we're also supposed to pack a just in case transfer bag with some baby items and toiletries and change of clothes for us. I have a very short birth plan for transfer that states which newborn procedures are allowed and a few bullet points for care for me.

[BlissfullyLoving]

I am not sure if this stuff is too obvious or your midwife is bringing some stuff (like suturing stuff just in case). This is what we had (that was not already listed).
- baby cap
- kleenprint, if you want to get the footprint
- gauze pads
- (12) hospital overnight sanitary pads (cut 3 in half and soaked with comfrey tea and froze for postpartum relief --6 was more then enough for me)
- gloves for the midwives
- measuring tape
- lots of peroxide to get blood out of the sheets, towels, shower curtain, pjs
- birth certificate documents (not sure if that is state specific)
- sea salt for post partum baths
- Recharge electrolyte drink
- homepathic remedies
- clock that keeps official real time, so if you or baby are into astrology they will know thier exact birth time

Hope this helps.

[ma_Donna]

I jump in and use this post to work on my list too
I just added to my list:
Announcements!
Pink & Blue balloons (for the mailbox)
blank email with a cc list for family birth announcement (we live across the country from everyone)
Update answering machine msg after birth


Digital & film cameras (although we don't plan on TONS of pics)
Empty memory cards, film, charged batteries

Cordless phone (not cell) with our address taped on the back (in case of emergency transfer, MW has the addy to give)

Prep
Air out fishy pool & shower curtain liners
* Fishy pool(s) (I plan on the larger hex one outside and cooler for laboring, the smaller one inside for birth... we'll see)
* Tarp under inside pool & something on top of it so it's not so crinkly
* Bed set-up (waterproofing, medium good sheets, waterproofing, old sheets (we'll have the futon set up like this in the same room as our tub and our family bed is already made up with waterproofing over mattress, then sheets... has been since DS was born... don't want any baby pee or puke in the mattress :LOL

Labor
Old Towels (for getting in/out tub and/or shower)
Snacks & drinks
crock pot
8-10 washcloths
Do not disturb note for door (if you'd like)
regular & premium prefolds (for.... whatever)

Mama care
Depends / MAXI pads & old undies
Tucks or witch hazel / cotton face cleaning circles
Pads in the freezer
Lansinoh

Baby
8-10 Receiving blankets
digital thermometer that beeps
cloth diaper, long sleeve lap T, hat, socks
space heater & extension cord (MW likes to make sure baby will be warm... even in July )

Clean Up
oxyclean
big bottle hydrogen peroxide
bleach
detergent
big plastic laundry tub (we already have these)
2 large trash bags

[Piper's mama]

Jen,
won't the sea salt hurt like heck if I have a tear?

[Piper's mama]

Mommitola- what strength arnica do you like to use?

[Piper's mama]

sorry to keep posting over and over, just keep thinking of questions. "Peri Pads" are on my list, are those the pads ya'll keep talking about...just a large maxi w/witch hazel or comfrey tea on them put into the freezer? Do you take them right from the freezer and put them into your (in my case it will be depends)? This may be a dumb question, but seems like it may be a little harsh to apply directly, but what's the witch hazel, etc. for if you don't.

[*guest]

Originally Posted by Piper's mama

Mommitola- what strength arnica do you like to use?

I have 30C tablets.

[alegna]

FOOD! Snacks for in labor for you and anyone else there. TONS of food for after. I could have eaten a horse the week after. Get people lined up to bring you meals the next week. And snacks. Lots of easy to eat snacks.

-Angela

[ma_Donna]

what's the witch hazel, etc. for

Tucks pads are witch hazel soaked cotton rounds, cheaper to do it yourself plus, I may use it for my 'frozen' pads.

When in the hospital with DS (risked out of birth center), I was given an ice filled diaper and a container of generic tucks pads. A friend's advice was to line up several Tucks in a row along the pad to keep moist.

[bradleybirth2mom]

Get a yoga ball

from Walmart. It feels good to sit on it during early labor. A tube sock filled with uncooked rice and microwaved for 1 1/2 minutes feels great on the lower back during labor. And be sure your assistant likes to say positive things. That helped me more than massage!----Things like, "You're bringing us closer to seeing the baby!" really lessened the pain.

[Fanny1460]

Originally Posted by Piper's mama

Jen,
won't the sea salt hurt like heck if I have a tear?

I was wondering the same. I have sea salts at home and they say it's good for postpartum, but I was wondering if we tear a little, will it hurt? Do some experienced mamas know?

Thank you!

[BlissfullyLoving]

Originally Posted by Fanny1460

I was wondering the same. I have sea salts at home and they say it's good for postpartum, but I was wondering if we tear a little, will it hurt? Do some experienced mamas know?

Thank you!

Sorry I did not respond sooner. I thought I was checking regularly, but I guess not.

I thought the salt was going to sting. I had a small tear, and I very cautiously got into the tub. It did not hurt at all. It just felt like getting into a hot bath. I healed really quickly, and it may or may not be related to the salt.

I have also heard that you can bring your baby in the bath with you before the stump is healed if it is salted water. I did not do this, and I have not confirmed it. If you were interested I would do a little research on it just to make sure it was safe.

[BlissfullyLoving]

Originally Posted by Piper's mama

sorry to keep posting over and over, just keep thinking of questions. "Peri Pads" are on my list, are those the pads ya'll keep talking about...just a large maxi w/witch hazel or comfrey tea on them put into the freezer? Do you take them right from the freezer and put them into your (in my case it will be depends)? This may be a dumb question, but seems like it may be a little harsh to apply directly, but what's the witch hazel, etc. for if you don't.

Peri pads are large pads used after birth. I have heard the term used to describe any type of pad used on the vagina.

I cut my pads in half and then soaked them in comfrey tea for half an hour. I put them in the freezer. After I had the baby I put the frozen pad directly on my perineum and a large pad with my underwear over it.

The second time I peed I forgot about the comfrey pad, and it fell in the toilet. It was gross fishing it out, so I hope you will remember this and not let it happen to you.

I never used any witchhazel because I did not have hemorrhoids (and I used comfrey on my perineum), so I cannot answer anything about that. I have heard it is very soothing when you have hemorrhoids.