How do you do the sheets on the bed?

[1972momma]

OK, so I'm open to the idea of wanting to be in water during part of my labor and/or birth, but just indulge me here because frankly I'm generally not a person who enjoys being all soaking wet ...

So, assuming, I give birth in our bed, which is what I think I would like, what's the best way to do the sheets?

I mean, if you have a fitted sheet, then a plastic sheet, then another fitted sheet, are you slipping even on the top fitted sheet because there's plastic underneath? Also, doesn't the plastic make it not breathable and sweaty?

Would love to hear what's worked for others.

[Roxyrocks]

I like to know too

[applejuice]

I have done this four times...

I stripped the bed when I realized I was in labor.

I put on a clean mattress cover, then a clean fitted sheet, and then a clean flat sheet. You sleep on this after the baby comes.

For before the birth: On top of that I put the plastic sheet/shower curtain. On top of that I put a sterilized fitted sheet and a sterilized flat sheet. I had pillow with clean pillow cases and the sterilized cases over them. I set the blankets and bedspread over to the side unless I needed them for warmth.

How to sterilize?

1 Clean your washing machine first with hot water and bleach and nothing else in it. Run a cycle with nothing.
2 Put in the sheets and pillow cases you want to sterilize. Wash in hot water and bleach.
3 Dry in a very hot dryer.
4 Remove while from dryer while hot; fold and put for 2" in a warm convection oven at 140 degrees F.
5 Remove quickly and put in a brown paper bag. Put the brown paper bag in plastic and tape shut. Put with your other birth supplies so that every thing is ready when you go into labor.


After you have the baby, the midwife should just be able to remove all of the sheets you sterilized and put them into the washing machine. She can also remove the plastic sheet/shower curtain and do with it what you want.

And Voila! Your bed should have clean sheets underneath for you to climb into with a blanket and bedspread; my midwife put a blue under pad on my side of the bed and put a kotex on me for the after the birth bleeding.

[Roxyrocks]

Thanks!!! I could litterally vizualize the process I have been wondering this myself for awhile since I 1st started thinking about HB@

[applejuice]

Have a happy home birth. to all of you.

[janasmama]

I use flannel backed table cloths in between the sheets and I think it gives it much less of a plasticky feel.

[bhawkins]

Originally Posted by applejuice

I have done this four times...

I stripped the bed when I realized I was in labor.

I put on a clean mattress cover, then a clean fitted sheet, and then a clean flat sheet. You sleep on this after the baby comes.

For before the birth: On top of that I put the plastic sheet/shower curtain. On top of that I put a sterilized fitted sheet and a sterilized flat sheet. I had pillow with clean pillow cases and the sterilized cases over them. I set the blankets and bedspread over to the side unless I needed them for warmth.

I did exactly that except I didn't sterilize the sheets. I just used clean ones. Neither me nor my midwife saw any point to sterilizing any of the linens.

I used a shower curtain that was made of a non-crunchy vinyl (kinda heavyweight) and it didn't sweat or feel uncomfortable at all.

[lil_earthmomma]

I had plastic under a sheet and it was horrible, slippy and crunchy and yuck. Then after ds was born I leaked buckets of milk (we're talking splashable puddles here ) for months, so I needed a solution as the mattress was replaced. At leon's they have mattress covers that are breathable, so nothing can penetrate into the mattress but it feels soft and not sweaty and hot. I've slept with this under a flannel or jersey cotton fitted sheet for over a year, and plan to birth with it protecting the mattress.

[Chinese Pistache]

I did the same as applejuice minus the sterilizing. I used a shower curtain and unfortunately, I did find it really hot and sweaty (mind you, I made up my bed like this 1-2 wks in advance of my edd).

[Treeof3]

I too made the bed twice like described, but I used a vinyl mattress cover - our mattress has one on it that zips up all around(for dust protection) then a regular soft mattress pad, then the sheets. For labor though I THEN I bought a slip on vinyl cover (target, walmart etc all have them) this is one that goes on like fitted sheets and only covers the top of the mattress - this is the kind I used for the second layer. Then I put the second set of sheets over that although I didn't sterilize. I didn't find it too hot, but I also got out of the tub bc I was hot... But I didn't find it crunchy or slippy I guess bc it was vinyl and not a thicker crunchier plastic?

Totally planning the same set up again this time although I am hoping that having a different tub will make me want to stay in it.