My older sister is planning her first homebirth for #3, and I'd like to plan some sort of party or give her a special gift related to homebirth. For her first ds she had several baby showers, and for her second ds, I planned a Blessingway for her. I'm considering having a very small "work party" and asking a few relatives and friends to come help me clean her house and organize a few "hot spots" so that she has a nice clean house to give birth in. Maybe we could add a few nice touches to her bedroom like new candles, since she'll probably do much of her laboring in there. Any thoughts or ideas on this? Did you have a special ceremony or party particularly for your homebirth that you enjoyed? Or, did you receive any special homebirth gifts that you could tell me about? My sister is so thoughtful and always gives great gifts, so I really want to make this something special.

I didn't have one but it sounds wonderful. Candles are a nice touch. I think a potluck of frozen dinners sounds good. Or have them choose a day or two for a few weeks after the birth to bring dinner for the family. A wonderful sitz bath. Maybe a homebirth outfit for the baby. I don't know these are just some things we like.

I agree, that sounds heavenly to me. Have you thought of asking your sister what she most needs? I really appreciated the clean house and freezer meals that friends and family provided for me.

have the people at the party fill out a food and chore calender, so that people are coming everyday to bring a meal and do a chore (make sure they know that they are only coming over to help, NOT to hang out-visits should be short and to the point!). what else. . . . a good bathroom scrub would be helpful since she will probably be in the tub alot.

i think new (unscented!! ) candles is a great idea!!

Thanks for your thoughts. I like all of these ideas. I had been thinking more about the preparations for labor and birth, and you all are drawing my attention to her needs after the birth as well. A freezer/fridge stocked with meals would be very helpful for her. I talk to her a lot about what she needs, but can't afford to purchase a bunch of supplies for her, so that's why doing something like cleaning and cooking would probably be the best thing. I love the idea of having somebody go over each day to do a specific chore. I would've loved that after dd was born.

earthmama, where did you find homebirth outfits that you like?

http://www.cafepress.com/mamastuff/414046

and www.attachmentscatalog.com are some good places ;)

Will you be my sister? :)

It sounds like you've gotten some wonderful ideas. Have fun with your planning!

Man, I wish I had a sister like you :love

Another idea, if people don't want to cook or you sister would prefer not to have people dropping by after wards, is to get a gift certificate to Shwans. Of course I would love love love to have someone come over and do laundry, diapers, dishes (just hire me a cleaning crew lol). Take the kids to the park so dh and I and baby can bond. A really nice gift would be something to plant the placenta under. Typically when I have had visitors after the baby is born they bring clothes and flowers. Which is nice but not very meaningful or memorable. I always appreciate everything though.

Michelle

earthmama, thanks for the links. jrahoc and Full Heart, thanks. :shy
About that placenta...she's got a crazy digging dog and we both agree she (the dog) might dig it up if it gets buried in their backyard. Hmmm. But she (my sister) says she doesn't want to "just throw her baby's home in the garbage." Maybe we can bury it somewhere else. Anyway, thanks for the ideas. Now I need to figure out exactly what to do and if I want to make anything a surprise.

Of the 3 plancentas I have buried with my dog she only dug up 1. And I think it was because we buried it next to the bush instead of under it. My dog is a golden lab who loves to dig.

Some ideas would be to freeze it first I think they are less likely to dig it up then. Put it in a raised flower bed. Plant a tree over it and put a border around it, like one of those cute tiny picket fences. Put it in a flower pot first till the plant out grows that and then move it to the yard.

Michelle

Buying a little tree is a GREAT idea!!!! :thumb

If people are not able to come and clean another idea is to give her a gift certificate for Molly Maid or some maid service. The potluck frozen dinner thing is awesome. Or to have groceries delivered to her house or something after the birth. I know a lady who also comes to your house and prepares 15 dinners for you, it's called Personal Chefing, and she comes asks you what you like to eat, and prepares a menu, then comes to your house one day and cooks all 15 meals and freezes them for you. I think it's something like $300 for 15 meals (for 2 people), so that's about $10/meal.

One of the gifts we liked best was someone bringing a complete meal by for us. Dh loves to cook but with looking out for all us us he'd like a break too so those meals where + :thumb

Doing my house work wouldnt be something I would care for.
But taking my girls for an outing to give them a change in the day and to give dh, the new baby and I some toghether time would be nice also.