Homebirthers: how's it going? - Page 3

[xochimama]

I'm in the "haven't done much" camp. Not too worried, though. Still plenty of time. Waiting for the list of supplies from my m/w. And I think I know what pool I want...prolly will wait another 5-6 weeks to order.

Family is a sensitive subject for me b/c my dad is an OB-Gyn. And definitely opposed to homebirth. He knows that this is our plan and he does not approve, but he is (mostly) keeping his thoughts to himself. We just don't discuss it much...

[xochimama]

Originally Posted by DocsNemesis

I had a homebirth with my last one and it was wonderful, but I learned a bit from it, so I'm getting ready for the actual birth a bit differently...

Can you elaborate on what you learned and what you are doing differently...? just curious, from a first-time homebirther, second baby

[PassionateWriter]

Originally Posted by Luvtlc

Here is the view from the front porch looking at the Blue Ridge Mountains...
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k37/luvtlc/DSC03027.jpg

i grew up in NC and can i just say that i am sooo jealous!

[Luvtlc]

Originally Posted by PassionateWriter

i grew up in NC and can i just say that i am sooo jealous!

I'm originally from FL, I love the beach but since I've lived here I've never been happier

[SkyMomma]

Yay! So awesome to just read the post of other homebirthers...I haven't done anything & am beginning to totally stress. But the pregnancy is going great & I'm psyched about my midwife & taking this route in general.

However, planning to have a homebirth has caused these ripples of wierdness amoung certain member of my family & friends. Why is that? It's no-ones business really! I'm not giving my SIL a hard time about her planned c-section, why does she feel like she has a right to question my decision about a HB? And all this is couched in this concern for me & the baby thing...which I'm trying to read as loving & caring & not as a judegment about my ability to make informed, thoughtful decisions. I want to hand them all a copy of Pushed & say "talk to me when you've read this..." Instead I re-assure them about the nearness of the hospital (literally 3 minutes) & the experience of my midwife.

I just love knowing that you're all out there! I went to a prenatal yoga class the other day & of the 18 mamas there (big class!) I was the only person having a homebirth. In fact I was the only one not having a hospital birth!

[frontierpsych]

I haven't read anything new or taken any classes or any of that. I'll probably start reading some inspirational stories soon, I think the most important thing for me in labour will be keeping my spirits up and staying positive. I already know I can handle the physical part.
I've got to get this house clean eventually. I also haven't started going through the baby clothes and all that. I want to make sure I have everything I need and am not missing anything.

[honeybee]

I haven't done much to prepare, yet. We still have some birth supplies hanging around from last time. At some point I will gather them up and see what we still need. I have my mw and photographer lined up for the birth. There are things I have planned for the house and yard that I'd like done before baby's born, but we haven't gotten very far on the list yet. No classes. I re-read all my birth books and the birth stories early on in the pg.

Everyone knows we're having a homebirth. This is our second homebirth, and after the first, I sent everyone a detailed birth story... so I don't think anyone will be surprised this time around!

I've been more proactive about pp and what needs to be lined up, and taking things off my plate. I'm planning on taking advantage of a non-profit group that provides pp support volunteers in our county. I have guest speakers lined up through October for our Natural Parenting Group, and am hoping to get one for November, too. So, I won't have to worry about that group at all. I'm also President of a non-profit group, and trying to get some organizational details settled and get some projects moving before the baby's born. My next big task is to figure out how I'm going to get ds1 to preschool after dh goes home after those first 2 weeks.

[olliemi2005]

Originally Posted by SkyMomma

Yay!

I just love knowing that you're all out there! I went to a prenatal yoga class the other day & of the 18 mamas there (big class!) I was the only person having a homebirth. In fact I was the only one not having a hospital birth!

SkyMomma, just wanted to encourage you. I live in Mass too. Do you have any friends who have homebirthed?

Glad you are happy with your plans, you are well informed and doing what is healthy for you and your baby!

[emski4379]

Originally Posted by Luvtlc

Here is the view from the front porch looking at the Blue Ridge Mountains...
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3...c/DSC03027.jpg

I LIVE in NC, and I'm still jealous!

[Azryel]

I completely finished packing up the closet for Brier's birth this weekend. And I pulled out all of our newborn baby clothes, washed them, and found space for them in our drawers. So now I have nothing left to do -- I'll have to find something to keep me entertained for the next 10 weeks!

SkyMomma, my three children were all born in Cambridge -- although in a hospital (Mt. Auburn) and not at home. My first I had at the hospital because, well, he was my first and I didn't know enough about birth at the time to feel comfortable at home, and the second and third because they were monochorionic twins and preterm. If I still lived in Cambridge, I might be planning a hospital birth this time around -- I had really good experiences with Mt. Auburn. (Of course, I'm pretty sure giving birth home this time around will be even more comfortable.) But I'm surprised none of the women in your class were giving birth at the Cambridge Birth Center. I knew a lot of people who gave birth there. Anyway, just thought I'd say hi since Cambridge is still near and dear to my heart.

Luvtlc, gorgeous view!

* Jaime

[Charmie981]

Jamie, you could come help me with my nesting . Seriously, I'm sure you'll find something to do for 10 weeks, though.

I'm just having a really hard time thinking about actually HAVING this baby. I'm starting to realize that some of it might be related to the emotional issues I'm dealing with re: my friend who would have been due this month.

I keep adding to my list of things to do, but not actually doing anything. I compiled a list of birth supplies to make/buy/gather, though, so to me that feels like progress. A little at a time, right?

[Azryel]

Originally Posted by Charmie981

Jamie, you could come help me with my nesting . Seriously, I'm sure you'll find something to do for 10 weeks, though.

Haha -- watch out or I probably will. If only I could turn my energy towards my work. There's so much I'd like to get done before September, and yet I spend all my time compilings lists of phone numbers, over-organizing my supplies, and writing notes for each kid to open while the baby is born. And I actually really enjoy my work -- I just can't seem to focus on things that are non-baby at the moment. * Jaime

[mommathea]

Sigh, I'm slowly starting to get all the stuff together, but buying a few things here and there isn't much fun. I just want to get a big shopping cart of all the stuff I need and get it together.
I ordered my birth kit the other day, but it seems to be taking forever to get here. I wonder if the 4th messed up the shipping. I'm on pins and needles waiting for it to come. I need to get a box or something to put everything in one place. The top of my hope chest is starting to become a cluttered mess of pads, whichhazel, nipple cream, towels, sheets, ect. I need to contain it all.

[Charmie981]

Originally Posted by mommathea

I need to get a box or something to put everything in one place

I always suggest a rubbermaid-type bucket or a laundry basket because then you'll have something for dirty laundry right there with your birth supplies.

[mommathea]

Originally Posted by Charmie981

I always suggest a rubbermaid-type bucket or a laundry basket because then you'll have something for dirty laundry right there with your birth supplies.

Ahh, great idea! Thanks!

[amitymama]

Well, I passed my glucose testing so the home birth is definitely a go-ahead, as long as I go into labour between 37-42 weeks. Yay!

I have a birth pool being sent to me this week so that will go in the shed or the loft until it's time to do the trial run. I'm so stoked that I got it for about 1/4 of the retail price.

I'm definitely in 'preparation mode', I have huge to-do lists and am determined to get most things done by mid-August so I can just relax and chill out and prepare myself mentally for the birth. This Sunday we are clearing out our loft and getting down all the baby things so I can air things out, wash baby clothes, check infant car seat is still ok, etc.. My friend who is acting as my doula is going to come over and she and my husband and I are going to sit down for a chat about how they can be my supports during labour and go over my birth plan. We'll meet again a couple weeks before I'm due to go over everything and make sure everyone's happy with their role.

I still need to string my birth beads into a necklace, just have to get to the bead shop to buy some nylon necklace string. I'd prefer to use leather but I'm going to be in the pool and I don't think wet leather would be too clever. What did/will others use for their necklaces?

The only other big thing I have to do is buy some cloth diapers and my birthing supplies. Still left on my list: Arnica tablets, Rescue Remedy, witch hazel, gauze pads, maternity pads, sitz bath herbs, waterproof sheeting, drinks, snacks and a spritz bottle. I'm putting everything I need for labour into one box and everything I'll need postnatally into another so it's easy for DH to find.

I'll probably also start gathering food and making meals for the freezer in the last couple weeks before my due date. I need to buy an extra freezer though, ours is too small to hold much more than a few meals.

What does everyone else have on their to-do list for their home birth?

[Charmie981]

I bought my birth supplies and I've frozen a couple of meals. I still feel like I have SO MUCH to do. My "before baby to-do list" is hardly checked off at all . There's a large piece of furniture in our bedroom that needs to GO. We've been waiting on friends who said they wanted it, but, well...I put it in CraigsList last night after they told me it'd be two months before they could get it! So that will free up a corner of the room for a birth pool if I want to use one and I'm thinking the pack-n-play will fit somewhere on that side of the room too. I'll probably store all of the birth stuff in the pack-n-play until there's a baby to go in there (and really, the pack-n-play will probably store diapers while baby sleeps with us, but whatever...

I guess I feel like I'm getting somewhere, but not fast enough, KWIM?

[mommathea]

Well, I have finaly checked everything off of my list to get. Now I just need to organize it.
I'm washign all the baby stuff today. I'm having to machine dry everything though because the pollen is soooo bad.
The clothes I washed yesterday even after a quick air dry in the machine still had pollen stuck to it.

I have about a weeks worth of meals in the freezer. I think I will do some more, but it is so hot that I'm not realy in teh mood to cook anymore, let alone cook extra.


I got my diaper flats yesterday, never used them before, always went with prefolds but my tiny prefolds are pretty worn out. I need to wash them up, Dh thought I was cute practicing the different folds.

Besides setting up the bassinet, and getting the dresser out of storage, and getting everything in it, I'm ready.

[prettychickpea]

Hello

hope i can join in

I am hoping for my home birth (waterbirth) and am getting myself ready (hypnobirthing)

Have ordered my pool ... Baby due end of sept!!

[frontierpsych]

I'm getting my birth supplies at my next appointment