i just ordered my homebirth kit

[giarose]

we are having issues with our insurance so I wasn't sure whether or not I was going to go to the birthing center or stay at home. it looks like the insurance issue won't be resolved before birth, so I decided we're doing it here at home. I'm sooo freakin' excited!

so, I just ordered a birth kit. hopefully, it will get here before baby does. EDD is 10/23 and my two boys didn't come early, but you never know...

now i need to gather everything together that I need to birth at home. the mw gave me a list of things to have on hand, but do any of you have any suggestions/advice for things that you found useful to have on hand during a homebirth? I haven't had a homebirth before...

[selena_ski]

there is a huge list of things that might be nice for a homebirth stickied in the homebirth forum, start at the end cause a nice momma tallied them, i am not sure which page it is on, but near the end.

[audsma]

I was just reading Mothering yesterday and it said that there was a list somewhere of what to have on hand for a home birth. I didn't find it right away, but then again, I am much more accustomed to scanning/searching the forums rather than the magazine's site.

[Mrshawwk]

Here's a little tip of mine. I have my clothes for during labor in one pile (I do waterbirth, so specific clothes are important, unless you just go without!), and then my clothes for right after labor in another, with post-it notes on top so someone else can get them for me.

Congrats on your homebirth! I hope it is wonderful for you.

[giarose]

thanks selena_ski.

I just found the list you were talking about, post 146 in the sticky. Here it is in case anyone else is looking for it:


Comfort during labor:
A large heating pad
Rice sock with lavender
Broth, miso soup, juice, chocolate, popsicles, energy drinks, froze grapes
Bendy straws
Ginger for nausea
Food for support people
Gravol to get some rest during early labor
Wash clothes
Crockpot with warm water
Bowl with ice water
Bowl for throwing up in
Music, candles, matches, essential oils
Birth affirmations
Exercise ball
TENS machine
A list for support person with: where to find things, things to do
Camera, disposable camera, photographer
Air mattress
Hair ties
Arnica (trauma)
Cimiciuga (back labor)
Carbo veg, hornbeam, oak back (exhaustion)

Water birth:
A blow up kiddie pool, birth pool, tested for leaks
Warm towels (drier, oven, heating pad)
Soft tub mat
Blow up pillow (possibly filled with water instead of air)
Cheap pillows that you can get wet
Underwater camera
Hand held shower head

Cleanliness during labor and delivery:
Tarp, old shower curtain
Plastic to cover bed
Cheap sheets
Chux pads
Heavy duty garbage bags
2 big freezer bags for placenta storage
Paper towels
Peroxide for laundry

Delivery:
Rescue Remedy (for ring of fire)
Mirror
Birth stool
Large flat bowl for placenta
Large cookie sheet with sides to set up a "birth tray"
Flashlight

Infant care:
Heated towels, blankets, hats (drier, oven, heating pad)
Space heater
Olive oil (makes muconium easy to clean, also for perinial massage)
Thermometer

Post-natal care (stashed in bathroom when applicable):
Frozen maxipads (frozen on bowl for shape
Frozen condom wrapped in flannel (rubbing alcohol or dish soap makes flexible)
Peri bottle
Soaked cotten pads
Sitz bath
Bowl of water to urinate in
Solutions for above: honey, nori, witch hazel, comfrey root, goldenseal, tea tree oil, ...
Depends, pads, adult diapers, sea sponge wrapped in flannel
Dark colored panties
Empty toilet paper roll for directing urine
Liquid chlorophyll
Alkalol
Arnica
Afterease, Wise Ways Merry Mother, New Mother tincture (for afterpains)

Post-natal ease:
Frozen food
Disposable plates, cups, etc.