Are you ready homebirthers?

[kerikadi]

I know a lot of us feel ready but are you really ready logistically? Do you have all your supplies together? Daipers & blankets washed? Music ready? Birth Plan? Possible support for other children?

The things we still need to do are
X*Get the directions to our house to the MW again and sent to her assistants.
X*Get the video camera charged and ready.
*Make some more food.
*I'd like to have a new nursing gown.
X*Make some RRL ice cubes.
X*Write out our transport plan.
X*Get all the music together and saved on DH's MP3
X*Lanolize wool covers


That is all I can think of right now.

Next week we are getting the carpets cleaned because they are hideous! Having a maid service come and do a DEEP cleaning including EVERYTHING from ceiling fans to windows and the oven!
Going to the dentist
Home visit with MW
Getting my third trimester photograph taken.
Birthday shopping for DS#2 since baby could come right on top of his b-day.
Having my Blessingway NO baby until AFTER the BW on the 10th!

Keri

[lotusdebi]

We still need to plug in the video camera. And I don't know the status of the birth pool (if another client still has it), but I'm so ready to have this baby that I don't even care if we have it for the birth or not anymore! I'm not planning on writing a birth plan, since it was a complete waste of time last time, and I'll only need it in case of a true emergency transport - at which point, who would bother reading it? I have all the midwife-required birth supplies together, except for scissors (want to keep them out of DS's reach) and the crock pot (too big for the supply box). All my birth supplies are also together, and the list of names and phone numbers (midwife, apprentice, family support) is with them. We have ziti frozen for the birth team, if necessary, and the guest room is cleaned out in case it's needed for naps. Both the midwife and the apprentice have been to my house for prenatals already. I'm trying to keep the house reasonably clean (hard with a messy 4 year old and two giant dogs). And I've been good about keeping up with laundry. I feel ready in all sorts of ways! DH and I are even getting along really well right now!

[MissInformed]

Well...I got the diapers out and washed finally. Birth kit is here. Wool blanket is out and airing in my closet...don't want the cat hopping on it . Not really worrying about food too much since we live right behind dh's grandparents and she cooks all the time for us anyway. I was thinking I should probably get out the newborn clothes, go thru them, and at least have the gender neutral things out and washed. Also would like to get some more receiving blankets...probably that more than the clothes right now. Still don't have a carseat, but we aren't planning on going anywhere right away, so not too worried about that either. I would like to get a couple of wool soakers, some cotton baby hats, a diaper sprayer, and I'll need to get some wool wash too before the baby gets here, but we shall see if I get around to it or not. Beginning to try and mentally prepare for the birth now too...noticing that I'm thinking about it more and more these days. Oh and dh is supposed to pick up a marine/RV hose for the birth pool soon. But, another lady is due before me, so the pool may be at her house...but then again there's always the tub, and we don't have enough room to just have it sitting around anyway...so either pool or no pool...doesn't really matter. And I too need to charge the video camera...and move pics from our digital to make room. And as always...trying to stay on top of housework!! So...I'm ready....sort of .

[PinksMommy]

Yikes! Why do you have to remind me of all this stuff? I just want to have a baby and have it over with, but then I realize I could still do more to get ready.

After reading your posts, I want/need to:

*think about music and get some ready...I don't even have any idea what I would want!
*Get video camera ready
*re-charge spare batteries for my digital camera (I've been using them)
*Clean out refrigerator and inventory food
*Take belly pictures and family pics with DD while there is still just 3 of us
*Send out thank you's from my baby shower
* Make a phone-call list of people for DH to notify
*get all my nursing bras and nightgowns washed and in one spot
*think of a thank-you gift for midwife and doula/assistant


A few things I've already done that others might like to remember are:
*bookmarked cards on Shutterfly that I like so I can make announcements soon after birth
*made and printed address labels for mailing announcements so I don't have to worry about getting them in the mail
*going to buy some wine today
*putting waterproof covers on the bed and futon today

[deuxceleste]

Originally Posted by lotusdebi

We still need to plug in the video camera. And I don't know the status of the birth pool (if another client still has it), but I'm so ready to have this baby that I don't even care if we have it for the birth or not anymore! I'm not planning on writing a birth plan, since it was a complete waste of time last time, and I'll only need it in case of a true emergency transport - at which point, who would bother reading it? I have all the midwife-required birth supplies together, except for scissors (want to keep them out of DS's reach) and the crock pot (too big for the supply box). All my birth supplies are also together, and the list of names and phone numbers (midwife, apprentice, family support) is with them. We have ziti frozen for the birth team, if necessary, and the guest room is cleaned out in case it's needed for naps. Both the midwife and the apprentice have been to my house for prenatals already. I'm trying to keep the house reasonably clean (hard with a messy 4 year old and two giant dogs). And I've been good about keeping up with laundry. I feel ready in all sorts of ways! DH and I are even getting along really well right now!

Ok, sorry... what's the crock pot for?

[lotusdebi]

Originally Posted by deuxceleste

Ok, sorry... what's the crock pot for?

Not a clue. But, it was on my list, so I brought it down from on top of the cupboards, and DH cleaned it out. We haven't used the thing in forever, so I should probably plug it in to make sure it still works. And maybe get used to using it again after the baby's born!

[kerikadi]

Originally Posted by deuxceleste

Ok, sorry... what's the crock pot for?

My guess would be warm compresses. You could put the crock pot on low and fill with water and washcloths to use during delivery.

Keri

[MissInformed]

oh....you've reminded me of a few things too.

belly pics and belly cast this weekend...hope i don't forget..stuff is in my closet...maybe i should write a note to myself

i've got waterproof pads already on mattresses, but should I put the plastic bags on too? what do you think?

need to make sure that my mom will be "on-call" just in case i need her for the kiddos

should probably have phone #'s posted somewhere easy for dh to see just in case too

think of gifts for midwife/assistants....good idea...probably would have totally forgot about that

[Wild Flowers]

I just picked up the digital thermometer, the unopened thing of paper towels and the bowl that I am guessing is for my placenta today.
I still want to wash all the diapers again.
I want to prepare the wool covers. I am making the last one right now.
We need to clean out the tub and figure out if we are going to get a liner, it is our tub.
I might go through and arrange the birth supplys a little nicer.
Get a transport bag ready. i hate to do this because I think it is thinking negatively, but I guess I have to do it, right?
Midwife and assitent have both been here.
Oh, get dh home Hopefully that will happen soon.
Clean my house a little bit.
I was going to make meals, but I can't think of anything to make. I figure if dh is here, he loves to cook and i never let him. And if not, I will be going to that one place that sells frozen ready made meals and stocking up.

[kerikadi]

Ohhh I have to get paper towels too. I also need a small new bottle of olive oil for baby's bum and it would be nice to have another peri bottle to use just for that.

We are planning our third waterbirth and we don't line our tub so I don't think it's necessary unless you really want to do it.

Although we write a transport plan it isn't a birth plan. We have to list out which hospital we would go to and the phone numbers for ambulance.
I have never packed a transport bag.

Keri

[Wild Flowers]

I never thought of using a peri bottle for the babies bum. Do you think I could find one locally? I forgot, I would like some disposable diaper liners. I couldn't find them today. I may have to go to the dreaded toys r us. I am pretty sure I found them there last time. I would like to have them for the mec. This will be the first time we won't be in a hospital and using disposable diapers the first few days. It is hard to clean the tub out after? I figure it will probably be dhs decision since I won't be the one cleaning the tub afterwards

[kerikadi]

Originally Posted by Wild Flowers

I never thought of using a peri bottle for the babies bum. Do you think I could find one locally? I forgot, I would like some disposable diaper liners. I couldn't find them today. I may have to go to the dreaded toys r us. I am pretty sure I found them there last time. I would like to have them for the mec. This will be the first time we won't be in a hospital and using disposable diapers the first few days. It is hard to clean the tub out after? I figure it will probably be dhs decision since I won't be the one cleaning the tub afterwards

We don't use diaper liners but just buy some fleece and cut it in ovals like a liner in the dipes. You can get cheap fleece remnants at Joanne's.
I might just get one of those travel shampoo bottles from target. I plan on puting the olive oil in the bottle and using on a clean bottom so that mec doesn't stick when baby goes poo. I hate having to wipe and wipe their bottom - when you put oil there it just slides right off.
Cleaning the tub was a cinch. Pull the plug and rinse. It didn't even need to be scrubbed. But we also do herbal baths for the first week so it has a ring to it for a while. No sense in cleaning it twice a day.

Keri

[Mavournin]

Well the birth tub is here, but it's still in the dining room. Our bedroom isn't *that* big and I don't really want it upstairs until I'm ready to set it up.

The birth kit is here too (my midwives provide it) and I've emptied the box and put everything away in an extra bedside table.

The cradle is set up and the diapers are all neatly tucked away in baskets underneath. The cradle though is full of stuff. It will likely stay that way since I rarely use it as a cradle.

The midwives have been here before, so no directions issues.

I have a CNM friend who is my "backup" and is willing to come into the hospital at any time if I need to transfer. Her number is posted on my fridge and in my cell.

I installed the carseat. Not a homebirth thing specifically, but I thought it was important to get out of the way.

And I have been knitting lots of teensy pants. I should probably wash/block/lanolize them. I should probably finish my sewing projects for baby too.

I really need to clean. I would love to hire someone to come in, but I think Dh would flip his lid. (Money is really tight this month.)

[deuxceleste]

Originally Posted by kerikadi

My guess would be warm compresses. You could put the crock pot on low and fill with water and washcloths to use during delivery.

Keri

What a great idea!!!

[Nicole77]

That is exactly what the crockpot is for. Some midwives also use it to steep an hebal sitz bath in while you are laboring. That way you have it ready to go for the next days bath. Me? I plan to commission someone in the house to make some yummy meal in it.

I still have to:

1. assemble all of the birthing supplies. Most of them are kicking around the house (some still from the last birth) but I have not gathered them in one place and double-checked to make sure we have all the stuff.

2. 20,000 other non-birth related things (like file our taxes, bring the baby's dresser upstairs, wash all the baby clothes and put them away, become emotionally prepared for having three children, etc.)

[Arwyn]

I think pretty much everything is ready for the birth... Birth ball's inflated (and kept away from the cat, little **** popped the last one!), we have the tub and the inflation and the fill supplies, have some liners and towels for around it, don't really need many other supplies... We're well stocked on Recharge (I have discovered I adore the stuff and have been buying and drinking it like crazy ), and even have a tub of miso ready for soup making - something I've never done before, although I want to, but the midwife and her apprentice know it's there for me/them. Only thing for the birth I can really think of is maybe a little fishy scoop net - and I HAVE one of them, I just don't know where it is IS.

Baby, though, lots of stuff still need to do, but nothing we NEED to do.
Finish sewing the ring sling (have several other carriers already, though!)
Finish making/sewing bum sweaters
Finish putting elastic in knit pants
Lanolize all wool
Make wool puddle pad
Make some fitted diapers
Install carseat (first need to clean car!
Set up freezer
Make and freeze dinners (have several, want more)
Make sure camera has fresh batteries and room on it
Take more belly photos
Get hennaed... (Didn't happen at the shower it was supposed to )

Um... think that's it. I like that there's lots of stuff for us to do, so we aren't at the "will the kid just COME ALREADY???" stage, but nothing that still REALLY REALLY NEEDS to get done, so I'm not having panic attacks.

[deuxceleste]

Originally Posted by Arwyn

Take more belly photos
Get hennaed... (Didn't happen at the shower it was supposed to )

You have a favorite henna supplier? I've been hunting...

[paisley]

Shhhh but... I think I am ready.

Everything that *needs* to be done is done. Anything else would be icing on the cake at this point (e.g. dying diapers, belly cast, putting the dust ruffle back in the bed). We could probably use some more food although no one would starve if it happened today and we had to eat out of the cupboard, just maybe some odd combinations. Announcements should be easy to pull together and I have envelopes ready to print and stamp once we decide on a font.

So yeah, pretty ready. But not telling the universe yet because dh and I have a dinner date tonight and I have a pedicure scheduled for Friday morning.

[paisley]

Originally Posted by deuxceleste

You have a favorite henna supplier? I've been hunting...

This is from my friend's website. She's been doing henna for 10 years so I'd trust her opinions on where to buy: http://www.hennastatements.com/links.html.

[deuxceleste]

Originally Posted by paisley

This is from my friend's website. She's been doing henna for 10 years so I'd trust her opinions on where to buy: http://www.hennastatements.com/links.html.

Thanks!!!!!

Oh wow, they have KITS... perfect for lazy people like me who don't want to gather things together!!!