So, I am planning a homebirth in about two months. I'm so excited!
My first birth was in the hospital. It went pretty well, physically-speaking (12 hours no complications), but my overall experience was not great, due to the environment...and I did not handle the pain very well, either.

This time, I am hoping I am better prepared to handle the pain, and am very excited to embark on this experience in the comforts of my home, surrounded by loving, supportive energy.

I will have my DH, MW and her assistant, and DS, who will almost be 4.
I am planning to have a friend come be DS's support-person (unless he is asleep). I also have two other friends who I may or may not call to come support me, if I feel like I need that extra female support and presence. They are not trained doulas, but they are close friends, and comfortable with massage, and we have a spiritual connection that I think could be helpful, if I need/want that extra female-support.

My plan, at the moment, is to meet with them and let them know I'll be playing it by ear, in terms of how my labor is progressing, how I am feeling, what I am needing (privacy, intimacy with DH...or if I need that support/presence). I'm really not sure what I am going to want or need.

If I *do* have them come, I'd like to have a list for them, of things to do...
whether I need their help, or if I need a spell of privacy, a list of ways they can help. Since they are not doulas, I'd love to just have a list they can refer to, to remind them of what they can do to help out, if I am out of it in LaborLand, and/or they are not sure what to do.

What do you wise mamas suggest?

So far, I have
*massage/touch
*get fresh hot/cold washcloths
*help fill tub (if applicable)
*take photos (I'll probably assign the woman who is watching DS to this task, to keep it simple)

What else??

Thanks in advance!!! :D

In no particular order:

*remind you to drink and pee
*give your DH breaks to eat and go to the bathroom
*know how and offer to do counter pressure and hip squeeze (these are the 2 most requested/needed/loved physical things i do at a birth
*tell you loving and supportive things and encourage your husband as well
*encourage you to change position every 20-30 minutes if you don't on your own (most women do)
*stay calm, quiet, and supportive. if they can't or they get worked up they need to take a break or leave
*have them know where things are: towels, your birth kit, things in the kitchen, ect
*offer you food if it's been a while since you ate
*don't talk during a contraction

- make smoothies (my SIL did this for 2 days while I was in labor)
- run to the store for things you might need
- take photos/video (the more the merrier, taking photos)
- help clean up before/afterwards (do a few loads of birth laundry - this is a BIG help)
- make sure the MW and your DH take breaks, eat, etc.
- make something delicious to eat right after the baby is born
- warm hot compresses in the microwave

Suggest they take a look at "The Doula Book" or "The Birth Partner" both are great resouces