Anyone ever labored/birthed in the forest? - Page 2

[ComaWhite]

Am I the only one who thinks this isn't a good idea?

Mosquitoes, no running or hot water to clean up, no toilet, needing an additional plan just for weather changes and with and my own comfy bed not being close by.....

No thanks.

[majikfaerie]

Originally Posted by blissful_maia

I wish I could see this photo, but it says it's private.

And I hear you about the birth photos... my dd2 was a very fast whirlwind birth, and I did not get even one photo. Had planned on video, photos, etc. It was really devastating to me, I'm sad even 2 years later!

oh! thanks for letting me know. I remember now I set it to private - I set all my pics with nudity to private a whiles back coz soooo many sicko pervs were checking them out. yes, there are weirdos out there who get off on birthing women
anyways, i've made it public, so you all can see it. though i'll change it back in a few days.
people who are my friend on flickr can view all my pics.
http://flickr.com/photos/majikfaerie...57601043548390

[majikfaerie]

Originally Posted by andrea

Am I the only one who thinks this isn't a good idea?

Mosquitoes, no running or hot water to clean up, no toilet, needing an additional plan just for weather changes and with and my own comfy bed not being close by.....

No thanks.

sounds like that would be a very bad idea for you then. but for many, it's fine not to have running water or flushing toilet.
Every woman should give birth in the place she feels safest.

[ComaWhite]

Originally Posted by majikfaerie

sounds like that would be a very bad idea for you then. but for many, it's fine not to have running water or flushing toilet.
Every woman should give birth in the place she feels safest.

Do you clean yourself and the baby up with cold water from buckets afterwards?
And then what, do you pack up the mess in garbage bags, stick the baby in a bucket and drive back to your home afterwards?
How would your explain that you weren't trying to conceal/bury/abandon the baby in the event of an emergency? You do have to consider how fishy it would look trying to explain that you're just a hippie who wants to birth on a blanket in the dirt under a bush.
Wouldn't the smell of blood, especially at dusk or dawn attract the wrong kind of company? I dont know where you live, but theres a whole lot of black bears around the bush here.

I'm not trying to be judgemental, Im just just not understanding how it would work out comfortably or not be a total PITA... one of the reasons why I uc is because its very convenient and comfortable to stay in my home, or "den" that Ive been "nesting" in for months. Deliberately relocating in labor would feel just as invasive as packing up the bag to go to the hospital and having leaves stuck to my knees and butt..... and again, the mosquitoes? How did you deal with those?

[milkybean]

It has always been my dream to birth in a cabin in the woods. Alone.

It was so important to me that I told my date about it on our 2nd date. He thought it was cool.

I found out a year after our son arrived, after a ridiculous midwife-attended (b/c he begged to have midwives there) labor that turned into a coerced transfer and a dreadfully coerced and unnecessary surgery, and then being kicked out of the hospital at 42 hours post-op, that he *never believed me*. Thought I was joking.

He now deeply regrets not listening to all the things I told him that he blew off when we were first dating, b/c everything I told him was true, some of what he told me were exaggerations or things he thought I wanted to hear, and they have all caused severe distress to our relationship.


But it still remains my gold standard. He knows that for a future baby, his job is to find a safe place for me, maybe him too, to go to.

We don't really have bad mosquitos here, and they don't bother me either. The cabin is to keep away critters, LOL, since the end of my wish is "with wolves howling in the far distance", though I really do NOT know how I would get that to work out. Maybe a CD?



We just went camping, and being in that tent felt, well, womblike. Helps that the rain fly is red. With the big air mattress, with extra pillows and some comforters on the floor of the tent it would seriously rival being at home.

We were forced to clean DS on his 2nd day by the nurses calling him a biohazard, but it was not my intention, so cleaning of the baby isn't something that I would worry about.

For myself, I imagine wipes or the homemade dipe solution I made for DS would probably suffice for a bit.


I can see, breathe, and think better when in a forested area...I can only imagine I would birth better too.

[majikfaerie]

[QUOTE=andrea;11927684]Do you clean yourself and the baby up with cold water from buckets afterwards?
personally, we had hot water going on the campfire. there wasn't all that much cleaning up necessary, and we didn't do much for a while
And then what, do you pack up the mess in garbage bags, stick the baby in a bucket and drive back to your home afterwards?in my case, we were camping there, so we didn't need to do that. we just stayed where we were. I guess if that's what someone wanted to do, they could. why not?
How would your explain that you weren't trying to conceal/bury/abandon the baby in the event of an emergency? You do have to consider how fishy it would look trying to explain that you're just a hippie who wants to birth on a blanket in the dirt under a bush.well, that would depend a lot on where you are. where i was there was no chance at all of anyone stumbling upon us, so it wasn't an issue
Wouldn't the smell of blood, especially at dusk or dawn attract the wrong kind of company? I dont know where you live, but theres a whole lot of black bears around the bush here.well, like i said. a woman needs to feel safe. wildlife like wolves or black bears probably wouldn't feel safe to a lot of people. I was in brazil when I birthed, so it wasn't an issue

I'm not trying to be judgemental, Im just just not understanding how it would work out comfortably or not be a total PITA... one of the reasons why I uc is because its very convenient and comfortable to stay in my home, or "den" that Ive been "nesting" in for months. Deliberately relocating in labor would feel just as invasive as packing up the bag to go to the hospital and having leaves stuck to my knees and butt..... and again, the mosquitoes? How did you deal with those?
like I said, I personally was camping there, basically livng in a tipi in the woods. I didn't re-locate during labour, and I wouldn't want to do such a thing.
As for mosquitoes, i wasn't really bothered by them. citronella oil candles/ incense, spray is a great natural deterrent. we were also burning sage.

Still, birthing in the woods is definitely not for everyone. just like hospital or home birthing isn't for everyone. if you're not the kind of person to feel really comfortable, safe and secure in the woods, then it's really not an ideal birthing place.
there are quite a few women who dream of birthing in nature, and several have posted here. all I'm saying is; if you really feel it, it's possible.

[Marlet]

Do you clean yourself and the baby up with cold water from buckets afterwards? I'm not a bleeder during labour and VERY minimal during birth (only after the baby is born) so the only "cleaning" needed is vernix. I can rub that in with anything...my hand, a towel, my sock if I so desired.
And then what, do you pack up the mess in garbage bags, stick the baby in a bucket and drive back to your home afterwards? Not all births are messy. And not all people onsider the "messy" parts things that need to be thrown away. You can have a lotus birth, that takes care of the placenta. Just like with a uc at home you might have towels, you might not. Either way they are going to be set aside (most likely) until they can be washed (or thrown away...I know plenty of people who wouldn't reuse them). Depending on where you are outside you might not end up using towels or blankets or drop cloths or shower curtains etc. Keep in mind, most people use those to protect flooring. Not because they are some super vital part to birthing safely.
How would your explain that you weren't trying to conceal/bury/abandon the baby in the event of an emergency? You do have to consider how fishy it would look trying to explain that you're just a hippie who wants to birth on a blanket in the dirt under a bush. First, your hippie comment is VERY derogatory. Birthing outside isn't for you obviously. That's fine. No one here is saying you are spoiled by only birthing at home near what comforts you. I understand the point you are trying to make but we are all here (on the UC forum) because we believe in UC. The other details are jsut what make us all different. If it isn't for you, fine. Keep the comments to yourself. Secondly, like many have said, if they are going to birth outside they need to make sure the area is safe from random people where that might become an issue. I have yet to read a post where someone is just going to squat down in front of the entrance to a state park and start pushing. Everyone seems to have security in mind. On the off chance it didn't happen I don't think it would be horribly hard to explain what was going on...they were in labour and trying to get to where they were going but didn't make it. Happens all the time. To all people...hippie or not.
Wouldn't the smell of blood, especially at dusk or dawn attract the wrong kind of company? I dont know where you live, but theres a whole lot of black bears around the bush here. Depends on where you are. I think you are getting hung up on the finer details and not seeing the bigger picture. There are things you can (and I assume would) do to limit that sort of thing. Bugs are very easily fixed. Leaves and other natural growth are as well. Animals may or may not be a concern for you. That one would be more difficult but I doubt any one here is going to hike up the side of a mountain in labour where there are known black bears and mountain lions. Just because some of us would like to birth outdoors doesn't mean we are stupid and incapable of making smart decisions. None of us are about to put ourselves in danger for the sake of birthing outside. Part of UC is creating a safe birthing place. That CAN happen outdoors. I have a feeling if it were so very dangerous there would be a lot less people on the planet.

I'm not trying to be judgemental, Im just just not understanding how it would work out comfortably or not be a total PITA... one of the reasons why I uc is because its very convenient and comfortable to stay in my home, or "den" that Ive been "nesting" in for months. Deliberately relocating in labor would feel just as invasive as packing up the bag to go to the hospital and having leaves stuck to my knees and butt..... and again, the mosquitoes? How did you deal with those? Not everyone UC's out of conveinence. Heck, I moved 500ish miles in my last month in order to have my UC where DH felt more comfortable. Nothing conveinent about that. Like I said earlier I think you are just getting stuck on the minute personal details. You have a preferred way of birthing and seem to have a hard time visualizing anything outside of that because it works. That seems to be a downfall of being a member of a message board. Be active long enough and you start to assume everyone is similar to you (I know for me it always amazes me to find out someone is not my age or at my stage of life). I know you're not trying to be judgemental but it just seems like you're nitpicking. :

[mwherbs]

OP yes, well not exactly the forest but I wanted so badly to give birth at the river on the sand-- I would walk in that area almost every day and I had such a feeling of connection - but when it came down to it my DH objected and he had a few points at least for my situation - one being that the location which was simple enough for me to get to when pregnant would probably pose a few problems in the immidate postpartum as far as walking back out with baby in arms, and if I were really worn out or had any complication it would be nearly impossible for him to get me up out of there timely or easily-- but if it were someplace I could easily have driven to I don't think there would be any insurmountable issues--

I think have the birth you want where you want...

[ComaWhite]

[QUOTE=OtherMother'n'Madre;11932850]I'm not a bleeder during labour and VERY minimal during birth (only after the baby is born) so the only "cleaning" needed is vernix. I can rub that in with anything...my hand, a towel, my sock if I so desired.
Yeak ok, but most people are and dealing with the mess in the woods with no running water is a legit concern, dont you think?

Not all births are messy. And not all people onsider the "messy" parts things that need to be thrown away. You can have a lotus birth, that takes care of the placenta. Just like with a uc at home you might have towels, you might not. Either way they are going to be set aside (most likely) until they can be washed (or thrown away...I know plenty of people who wouldn't reuse them). Depending on where you are outside you might not end up using towels or blankets or drop cloths or shower curtains etc. Keep in mind, most people use those to protect flooring. Not because they are some super vital part to birthing safely.

I didnt say anything about throwing stuff away, Im talking about packing up the blood, amniotic-and-sweat-soaked blankets in a way that they are not staining everything on the way home. I dont understand how a towel(or similar) wouldnt be vital to the birth, wth are you supposed to use to wipe up the fluids than?

First, your hippie comment is VERY derogatory. Birthing outside isn't for you obviously. That's fine. No one here is saying you are spoiled by only birthing at home near what comforts you. I understand the point you are trying to make but we are all here (on the UC forum) because we believe in UC. The other details are jsut what make us all different. If it isn't for you, fine. Keep the comments to yourself. Secondly, like many have said, if they are going to birth outside they need to make sure the area is safe from random people where that might become an issue. I have yet to read a post where someone is just going to squat down in front of the entrance to a state park and start pushing. Everyone seems to have security in mind. On the off chance it didn't happen I don't think it would be horribly hard to explain what was going on...they were in labour and trying to get to where they were going but didn't make it. Happens all the time. To all people...hippie or not.

How is using the term hippie on MDC derogatory where a good portion of the members pride themselves on being one? I didnt say anyone had acused me of being spoiled and keeping my comments to myself? Then Wtf is a message board here for then? I cant ask questions in the uc forum because they might offend someone? Seroiusly?

I was refering to if there was an emergency, if the baby died or whatever (yes it does happen) How would you explain birthing in the woods without it looking really really badly. Im guessing there would be a lengthy and stressful investigation after trying to explain that. Someone would need to put that into consideration alongside the romantic ideals.

Depends on where you are. I think you are getting hung up on the finer details and not seeing the bigger picture. There are things you can (and I assume would) do to limit that sort of thing. Bugs are very easily fixed. Leaves and other natural growth are as well. Animals may or may not be a concern for you. That one would be more difficult but I doubt any one here is going to hike up the side of a mountain in labour where there are known black bears and mountain lions. Just because some of us would like to birth outdoors doesn't mean we are stupid and incapable of making smart decisions. None of us are about to put ourselves in danger for the sake of birthing outside. Part of UC is creating a safe birthing place. That CAN happen outdoors. I have a feeling if it were so very dangerous there would be a lot less people on the planet.

I think that asking about the finer details is legitimate. Honestly, those are the things that are going to make or break your birth experience. Big picture doesnt mean a lot when you have hundreds of mosquitos buzzing around your ears and you are laboring too hard to clear the debris out of you tent, and gosh darn, its starting to storm and you didnt think of that either.
Im not saying at all that uc outside isnt safe, you assumed that. But trust me, you dont need to hike up the side of a mountain to find a black bear in canada. Ive seen dozens in my lifetime and none of them were anywheres near a mountain.

You have a preferred way of birthing and seem to have a hard time visualizing anything outside of that because it works. That seems to be a downfall of being a member of a message board. Be active long enough and you start to assume everyone is similar to you (I know for me it always amazes me to find out someone is not my age or at my stage of life). I know you're not trying to be judgemental but it just seems like you're nitpicking. :

Not quite. I was asking questions because I really couldnt understand. Not a hard thing to imagine someone doing on a discussion forum. I never assumed everone was like me at all, thats YOUR assumption. It may seems like Im nitpikcing, but it seems like you are being ultra-defensive and looking to pick a fight.

[mwherbs]

heating water is not a big deal- camp stove, pan and water-- actually where I was and also here in AZ cool water would be the trick hot water is easy to come by. and I must say that at my home births there was very little clean up- chux pads will go anywhere- or towels or old blankets... what have you. both my parents had no indoor plumbing until they were adults- and after they had me we lived without running water or electrictiy (they weren't hippies) though-out my childhood we often live for months or years at a time basically camping... you have a pail with a lid or use one of those white buckets lined with a trash bag and it can even have a toilet seat on it if you don't have an out-house if you don't have a stove then you have a fire- and the equipment to cook and heat water as well as an Ice box-- bedding easy to carry-- bathing depends on how you want to go you can buy a classic round tin wash tub or just use wash cloths and a jar to pour water on yourself-- there are also all sorts of contraptions you could buy to have a portable shower...
another place to see some out door births are the dead sea water birth pics-- I'll try to find a link.

as far as authorities go, you just tell the truth- look they may think you are crazy staying at home, atleast in the woods many forest service workers are there because they like the woods too and would understand that part

[sunshinestarr]

Originally Posted by majikfaerie

I searched and found one photo of me in labour - I'm hanging onto dp during a ctx, and you can see our tipi in the background. http://flickr.com/photos/majikfaerie...7601043548390/
man, i always regret not having more birth pics

Absolutely beautiful, stunning photo!

[forthebest]

Wow! amazing photo's Majikfaerie,thanks so much for sharing , you are sooo pretty girl and remind me of j.mitchell, I must read your birthstory, hopefully it's up here, not on pc much just now, soo busy. Andrea, I can see how if someone is not used to or comfortable with outdoor life as a birthing venue then of course it's not for them and a cozy home and own bed sounds yummy to birth in or otherwise. Often people who discuss outdoor birth,hb even,seem to take offense at their own pre-concieved reasoning that a romanticized, maybe even self-indulgent birth is a main 'motive' behind such arrangements. I have lived in tents etc in varying weather and beastie conditions and that was my choice so I was well used to dealing. Years of no running water, electric in houses and otherwise. You get canny and rig something up is all. Of course it's not for everyone but should not be trivialized through misinformation by societies who think it should be the default for women to birth in hospital. Focus on 'hygiene' in hospital is over the top imo but not just in a way that aims to limit infection, more a kinda womans bodies as germ factories methinks. I noticed when ucing outdoors that blood was not a huge issue, it soaks into the ground, or you use a towel, we're not going to eat our dinner on that spot so...actually I didn't have a home to go back then and bloody blankets were the least of my worries and I stupidly washed them all which exhausted me beyond necessary, thats the time you need some kind spirit to drop you some fresher ones.:

Mainstream society is becoming more clinical in it's outlook imo and birthing is an area where particular scrutiny regards hygiene is obseved so no wonder birthing outdoors minus the asceptic wipes,steaming towels et al at hand brings such confusion. Of course you could have all that if you want anyway indoor or out. The rush of fresh air outside was welcome for me as it was breezy, not the stagnant hospital air every time I inhaled, home of course smells better than hozzy lol but the natural air seemed very vibrant and useful during labour outdoor. I'm quite light sensitive I think so although bright the natural flow of light outside helped calm me too, not having anyone fussing around me or worse was major confidence builder for me and I am very private and not much sociable with many others though I make the effort when needed. I birthed as best I could and very blessed to have had the opportunity to do so. The outdoor venue for me was a huge part of that escape from domination.

I would also just tell the truth if I was 'caught' birthing outdoor. I am disinterested and dissatisfied with the moral majority telling me how and where I should birth and finding oh so many reasons to mould me into a malleable lump of obedience but in my experience I can say I was in a far better birthing headspace in my natural environment which for me is outdoors. Also I am the sorta person who would be able to apologize for stumbling on a woman birthin outdoor, er hasn't happened yet tho, walk away from such a situation should I hike into it, or hang back and help with wooding or whatever or come back later if invited and celebrate or help out if a transfer was going down and extra help was needed and asked for. But darn so much easier to call the cps and panic out.

[Contrariety]

We have a family cabin where I would *love* to have a baby! If we have another, I'm considering it, depending on the time of year (it's not accessible during winter). It has this amazing deck that overlooks the valley below. Lovely!

Would afterbirth attract the bears, though?

[logcabinmomma]

This has really appealed to me since moving to this house several years back. I have 11 acres, partially wooded with large clearings and totally private. But I also have a huge garden tub not too many steps from my bed and there is a potty right next to it. Not to mention the treck to get back down the hill from the woods right after the baby.

Those of you who did birth in the woods, how long did you stay there before coming back? I'm due the middle of October (but will likely go a little early), and I LOVE being outside then- I'm in the south, so it's still warm. Hmmm, another thing to file away for thinking about right before birth... (I've learned that it's pointless to DECIDE my birth surroundings until a week or two before, and even then it's more of a plan a, plan b, plan c kind of thing! )

-Kristi

[thefragile7393]

It's not for me (I'm happier in water) but I'm sure that the OP would be educated on what to do, what not to do, how to clean up a site, have a plan in mind, maybe visiting the site beforehand The vast majority of UCers have a back up plan and research things through before doing anything, and I'm sure there would be a back-up plan on what to do, just like you would have at home, complete with explanations to authorities if something happens just as you would if you were at home. Seems pretty logical to me.

[hottmama]

I hope to birth outside next time around. My kids were both born in mid-winter, so it wasn't possible, but the next one will be a summer baby.
Most births aren't all that messy. My birth mess from my UC was the pool and a couple wet towels (from drying the babe and I off).
I'd like a hot water hookup (or cold water and a fire) so I could have a pool, but that's all I'd need. I assume you could birth outside and have nothing but a yucky towel or chux.

[forthebest]

I noticed with my 3rd birth(2nd uc) in back of truck that I bled far more afterwards than the other births, maybe I shoulda had herbs to help that. I bled a lot thru the night but was okish next day but the actual delivery wasn't that messy. My 1st was a hb transfer I did not want and was forced pushing like a stuck pig for hours in hospital, a nightmare for me, all the drug forcing, examinations etc when eventually I pushed dd out the mw had arranged sheets all over the bed, chairs, radiators up to like waistheight. I had laboured and birthed on a bean-bag on the floor as the more natural environment they had assured me(to get me to go to hospital as I was resisting) was not available when I got there i.e low lights, not having to be on their rock hard bed etc so I just went ahead and birthed on the floor in the room tho I'd been pestered often to get up on the bed which was not an option for me. I'll never forget the force of the expulsion of my baby, I needed stitches, and blood over all the sheets, everywhere, I was shocked.I asked her if that was normal. Mw, obviously used to very expulsive births and highly motivated on coached pushing, but an excellant stitcher I have to credit her for,had prepared the area and said it happens sometimes... sorry for the tmi

Didn't experience anything like that with my hands-off births, I certainly did not force myself to push either. I couldn't understand why mw kept offering me these uber-pad things like every 5 mins even tho nothing was soiling them! I even told her I thought it silly. I kept slipping on them as I was squatting on floor and at one point just told her I didn't want them, she looked annoyed and seemed to question whether it was legit for me not to be sitting on a big dry pad lol.The mw who had come to my home before the transfer had put a big rubber sheet on my matress-on-the-floor and it was hideous, I kept slipping on it as I squatted with contractions,I struggled to get it back off 5 mins later,she was good at putting the sheet on, it was super tight! she didn't offer to help me do that, what on earth do they thinks gonna come out, you coulda moved a beached whale with that sheet! The things you don't have to put up with when you go it alone or with like-minded folk. imo some people could never grasp the concept of birthing unhindered in or outdoors without freaking about 'cleanliness'.

[Marlet]

[QUOTE=andrea;11933517]

Originally Posted by OtherMother'n'Madre

I'm not a bleeder during labour and VERY minimal during birth (only after the baby is born) so the only "cleaning" needed is vernix. I can rub that in with anything...my hand, a towel, my sock if I so desired.

Originally Posted by OtherMother'n'Madre

Yeak ok, but most people are and dealing with the mess in the woods with no running water is a legit concern, dont you think?

Not all births are messy. And not all people onsider the "messy" parts things that need to be thrown away. You can have a lotus birth, that takes care of the placenta. Just like with a uc at home you might have towels, you might not. Either way they are going to be set aside (most likely) until they can be washed (or thrown away...I know plenty of people who wouldn't reuse them). Depending on where you are outside you might not end up using towels or blankets or drop cloths or shower curtains etc. Keep in mind, most people use those to protect flooring. Not because they are some super vital part to birthing safely.

I didnt say anything about throwing stuff away, Im talking about packing up the blood, amniotic-and-sweat-soaked blankets in a way that they are not staining everything on the way home. I dont understand how a towel(or similar) wouldnt be vital to the birth, wth are you supposed to use to wipe up the fluids than?

First, your hippie comment is VERY derogatory. Birthing outside isn't for you obviously. That's fine. No one here is saying you are spoiled by only birthing at home near what comforts you. I understand the point you are trying to make but we are all here (on the UC forum) because we believe in UC. The other details are jsut what make us all different. If it isn't for you, fine. Keep the comments to yourself. Secondly, like many have said, if they are going to birth outside they need to make sure the area is safe from random people where that might become an issue. I have yet to read a post where someone is just going to squat down in front of the entrance to a state park and start pushing. Everyone seems to have security in mind. On the off chance it didn't happen I don't think it would be horribly hard to explain what was going on...they were in labour and trying to get to where they were going but didn't make it. Happens all the time. To all people...hippie or not.

How is using the term hippie on MDC derogatory where a good portion of the members pride themselves on being one? I didnt say anyone had acused me of being spoiled and keeping my comments to myself? Then Wtf is a message board here for then? I cant ask questions in the uc forum because they might offend someone? Seroiusly?

I was refering to if there was an emergency, if the baby died or whatever (yes it does happen) How would you explain birthing in the woods without it looking really really badly. Im guessing there would be a lengthy and stressful investigation after trying to explain that. Someone would need to put that into consideration alongside the romantic ideals.

Depends on where you are. I think you are getting hung up on the finer details and not seeing the bigger picture. There are things you can (and I assume would) do to limit that sort of thing. Bugs are very easily fixed. Leaves and other natural growth are as well. Animals may or may not be a concern for you. That one would be more difficult but I doubt any one here is going to hike up the side of a mountain in labour where there are known black bears and mountain lions. Just because some of us would like to birth outdoors doesn't mean we are stupid and incapable of making smart decisions. None of us are about to put ourselves in danger for the sake of birthing outside. Part of UC is creating a safe birthing place. That CAN happen outdoors. I have a feeling if it were so very dangerous there would be a lot less people on the planet.

I think that asking about the finer details is legitimate. Honestly, those are the things that are going to make or break your birth experience. Big picture doesnt mean a lot when you have hundreds of mosquitos buzzing around your ears and you are laboring too hard to clear the debris out of you tent, and gosh darn, its starting to storm and you didnt think of that either.
Im not saying at all that uc outside isnt safe, you assumed that. But trust me, you dont need to hike up the side of a mountain to find a black bear in canada. Ive seen dozens in my lifetime and none of them were anywheres near a mountain.

You have a preferred way of birthing and seem to have a hard time visualizing anything outside of that because it works. That seems to be a downfall of being a member of a message board. Be active long enough and you start to assume everyone is similar to you (I know for me it always amazes me to find out someone is not my age or at my stage of life). I know you're not trying to be judgemental but it just seems like you're nitpicking. :

Not quite. I was asking questions because I really couldnt understand. Not a hard thing to imagine someone doing on a discussion forum. I never assumed everone was like me at all, thats YOUR assumption. It may seems like Im nitpikcing, but it seems like you are being ultra-defensive and looking to pick a fight.

Sorry to have offended you. No I wasn't looking for a fight and I wasn't being ultra defensive. Just answering your questions honestly. I'm not even going to attempt to retry answering as I have a feeling I'd just be digging myself a hole.

[kalisage]

Originally Posted by Mommyintraining2

What do you think? Has anyone ever done this before? What would I need to take into consideration out in the woods that would be different than at home?

I think it can be absolutely beautiful. My dd (#3) was born in the middle of the woods in a log cabin on a campground. It was not planned for there, but ended up being a truly amazing birth. All of the people I wanted to be involved were there, and she will forever be known as our little "Camp baby"

As for things you may want, you may not need; Warm clothes, for you. For baby. A warming pad (I used a flax seed warming pillow). And something comfortable to lay/birth on.

[majikfaerie]

honestly i don't get why the big fuss about clean-up.
either the mess is on the ground, where it soaks in and is washed away in the first rain, or it's on your towels and sheets that you brought with you. ever heard of a big bin liner? just pile everything into a plastic sack to be transported to either a dumpster or laundry machine.
exactly the same as you'd do at home.

as for hot running water, i've attended a birth in the woods, where the parents brought a big tent, and a blow-up birthing pool. they filled the pool with water from the creek, and set up a copper coil over a campfire to heat the water. worked a treat
of course, they were camping there in advance of the birth, and stayed on a while after as well.