Getting my Home Birth Supplies ready... how about you?

[Spark]

I'm thinking about my birth supplies. We're planning a homebirth and truly the simplest way to get the supplies together is just to order a birth kit through one of the major birth supply catalogs (online or IRL). Sometimes MW's have a kit already put together tailored to their needs.

But, here's the thing. This is our 3rd homebirth and I think I have enough left overs from before and enough things around the house that will do.

I'm going through things right now to figure it out.

What are you buying/finding for your homebirth?

If anyone wants to chime in about what they're taking with them to the hospital or birth center, that's cool too. :)

[witchbaby]

i've got a list from my midwives through cascade, but i found a few of the items cheaper through birth with love, so i'm splitting the order between them to save a few bucks. i don't think there's anything especially exciting included in mine that isn't in anyone else's, though i added this "born at home" birth certificate (http://www.1cascade.com/natural_products/birthcertificates/) for the hell of it-- k got a hospital one, i figured this one should have something similar, right?
i'll probably order mine soon, because i have a terror that, if i order it later, it will get lost in the holiday shipping mess and i won't have it for the birth. that, and i want to play with everything! :p

[hottmama]

I need to get:
-kiddie pool, hose, and pump
-waterproof mattress cover
-puppy pads (same as chux pads but cheaper)
-lots of towels
-fish scale to weigh baby

I think that's it, but I might think of more between now and December.

[Spark]

Lorrie, would you mind linking us to the two birth supply places you mentioned?

Mandy, good call on the puppy pads! :thumb And, I'd always like a fish scale to measure the babe for a UC. I like to know exact time of birth and length and weight. It's important to me. :)

Alright, this is where I stand.

For limiting messes:
6 Large left over Chux pads
All the towels in my house
Thick felted wool blanket that I heavily lanolized
Hydrogen Peroxide (for getting blood out of fibers...same unopened bottle we got for our 2001 birth)
Plastic shower curtain (unused from 2001 birth...make sure if you get one of these that you open it up and let it air out. The plastic smell would be AWFUL during labor)
10 various flannel baby blankets (can we say overkill?)
Old sheets for our bed that we don't care if they get ruined

For compresses and massage:
Olive Oil
Velour/Velour cloth baby wipes in deep plum (ooh, the idea of holding one of these to my perenium sounds so lovely! ;))
Essential Oils (various kinds if I want them)

After the birth:
Bowl for Placenta
Siscors (need to sterilize these although most MWs have them FYI)
NEED: Decorative cording for the umbilical cord (I'm going to add this to my swap list, because someone out there might remember how to make those friendship bracelets as I do not & that would be perfect.)
Nose suction thingie (never used from our first birth)

After birth:
Arnica Gel
Arnica Pellets
PostPartum Sitz Bath (I always take this with the baby immediately after birth)
Born At Home diaper (seen on the front page of Diapering modeled on my frog this week.)
Baby outfit
Comfy nursing nightgown
NEED Depends or generic brand

[Geofizz]

I've decided I neither have the time nor energy to assemble my own kit. I'll be buying the prepackaged kit that the midwife practice assembles.

Mostly my add ons will be things like food and drinks. Fortunately, I now have a really good sense of what pukes well. Trader Joes was out of my favorite this weekend. :( I'm hoping they haven't stopped carrying it.

[rapscallions]

claire, thx for reminding me. need to put this on the top of my to do list! (might want to pay my midwife a little too or else we'll owe a bundle at the end. geez i'm a slacker and a halfer on this pregnancy!) wendy, i'm like you, i'll just get the kit or i'll diddle around on every website out there looking for rock bottom prices and never actually order it! i gave all my leftovers away after baby 2, so i need it all. thankfully (and can you believe this?) our local drugstore had the same baby pool i used with my baby (inflated bottom and all) on sale for $10 at the end of summer, wow. so i guess i'm at least ready on that angle. i'm glad i have you guys to get me organized, shew.

[DesireeH]

I just ordered my birth kit yesterday. It's a pre-packaged kit thing. It's from www.1cascade.com (Cascade Health Products):

2 sanitary briefs (already have these too though!)
2 caps (granted I already have these)
25 underpads (23x36)
1 topper (whatever that is)
2 40x90 polybacked sheets
2 straws
2 sani pads
1 peri bottle (I got extra)
1 bulb syringe
2 clamps
1 5.5 blnt/blnt (whatever that is)
4 pairs gloves

In addition to that the midwife gave me a list of other things to have ready:
8 receiving blankets that can be stained
(2) 30 gall trash bags for clean up
2 kitchen size trash bags
2 brown paper grocery bags
large bowl
thermometer
gallon size freezer bag (placenta)
2 washcloths
5-6 towels
change of sheets
heating pad
hydrogen peroxide
rubbing alcohol
paper towel roll
bottles of sports drink
bottle of pure grape juice for after the birth
perineal oil for massage
food for labor/after
listing of emergency phone numbers
small "hospital" bag just in case of transfer (LETS HOPE NOT!)

[Geofizz]

Desiree reminded me: I'll be placing the phone numbers of the midwives, their answering service, DH's cell phone and other numbers I might want to dial early in labor by each telephone (we have 3).

I was so loopy in uber early labor (water really broken, no contractions felt, but observed at hospital) I couldn't make sense of my notes on how to call my doula.

[DesireeH]

Yeah, we did that too. Well the midwife gave us cards to keep in each of our wallets and one to tape by the phone with pager/cell/home number and all of that.

[birthjunkie27]

Here's mine:

Already have:

Kiddie fishy pool
Flannel backed table cloth to keep pool warm
Chux pads from last birth
Heating pad (for the killer after pains)
Rice sock
Waterbirth CD by the Tunnel Singer
Plastic sheet or shower curtain for bed
Sanitary pads
Born at home diaper
Breast pads
Birth Ball

Homefirst (my homebirth practice) will provide:

The Homebirth Box (which contains pretty much everything we'll need). It's so exciting when you get issued your box! Probably at the 36 week visit.

Still need:

Plastic tarp for floor
Waterbirth friendly hose
Faucet adapter
Big Comfy towels
Sport bra or something to wear in the water
Big Comfy robe for in/out of water (I'm modest even in labor)
FILM for video camera and regular camera
EXTRA BATTERIES for digi camera
Activity bags for siblings
Baby book

Woo hoo! My Have list is now the same size as my need list....I just cut and pasted a few items. It's nice to shrink the needs list.

[DesireeH]

I need to get or rent a pool still too. I'm debating between the fishy pool (which would save a ton of money) or renting the Aqua Doula (costs around $200 to rent!). I like that it stays warm though. What have been your experiences? Is it a pain to keep the fishy pool warm?

[birthjunkie27]

Desiree....I had the same problem trying to decide between the fishy pool or renting one. I decided to to with the fisy pool because what if when I'm in labor I decided I don't even like it? What if I'm a "land laborer"? What a waste of $200 PLUS shipping costs.

As far as keeping water warm, I've read on other threads that it's not a big deal. Just bucket out some cold water and add more hot (Dh or helpers of course). And when you're not in the pool you can cover it with a flannel backed table cloth..that helps insulate it. I've also read that you can do that AND add another heavy blanket over the top of that for extra insulation.

[Spark]

I had an Aqua Doula (mw has one) with my DS birth and just hated it. Nothing but trouble here! Glad I didn't pay for it! I think the fishie pool is such a great option! :thumb

You all are reminding me other things. I added Depends to my list. I need to get some. They're SO nice afterbirth. No worries about staining your own underwear and much cozier than the mesh panties in my experience. Plus the tops are all stretchy so when your legs don't want to be threaded through panties, it's easier. I only seem to use them the first 24 hours. But, they're so handy that first day!

We should probably start a thread about preparations for the birth, too. I usually come up with a game plan and then e-mail it to all the people that will support us in birth. I include the phone numbers of everyone involved. Then, like Wendy, I post the emergency numbers of everyone right where I can see them.

I'm going to get Recharge and Eloctrolyte Water as well to keep on hand for the birth. We usually manage to go to the grocery before I go into labor so I won't worry too much about food right now. (I seem to do the ctx on and off for days and days before actually going into labor... I SWEAR this is going to be the birth where I don't think I'm in labor until I actually am. I get so embarrassed by those false starts)

[selazenby]

I have a lot of stuff left over from our first home birth too - but there's some things I need to buy:

-spare batteries for the flashlight
-Depends
-more Chux pads (we had a lot left over after Jake's birth but have used them for all sorts of things since then - example, we put one down under our Christmas tree stand to soak up any water the might spill over the edge)
-a bottle of unopened olive oil
-a bottle of unopened alcohol
-a bottle of unopened peroxide

Also, I will use it as as excuse to get new sheets (did this last time too) and use the old ones for messy stuff - I LOVE new sheets - high thread count 100% cotton ones!!

And I need to cut up my towels for old compress rags - and get new nice towels too :)

That's about it - plus of course any food, drinks, essential oils, etc that sound good to me as we get closer...

[Spark]

You know... it's so nice to be at home for birth. Just think if the mood suddenly strikes us to use the birth ball, it's right there. If we decide we need a different CD, we pick one. If we want orange essential oil, we don't have to worry about packing it... it's right in the cupboard.

Golly, we have it easy, don't we?

[DesireeH]

That is sooo true Claire. I hated being at the hospital with DS. The whole time I just wanted to eat something and then after he was born I just wanted to get the heck out of there! LOL I remembering feeling soooo lonely and HUNGRY (my blood sugar was at 40....UH HELLO!). It will be so nice to be at home this time!

I think I am just gonna get a fishy pool. The big ones are like $30. LOL I have a jetted bathtub too but it's always grubby looking on the jets. LOL I'm worried about chemicals coming out of the jets from the cleaners too. Hmmmm...........

[Spark]

I think I am just gonna get a fishy pool. The big ones are like $30. LOL I have a jetted bathtub too but it's always grubby looking on the jets. LOL I'm worried about chemicals coming out of the jets from the cleaners too. Hmmmm...........

Desiree, I think in the homebirth forum there was a thread about how to clean the jet hot tub without chemicals. Of course... :demon You could take selazenby's approach and just get a new jet bathtub! :LOL

Selazenby -- I think that's so neat that you can get new stuff for giving birth at home!!! How cool is that!?!?

[DesireeH]

:LOL Gonna do a search on the homebirth forum! :thumb

[selazenby]

Selazenby -- I think that's so neat that you can get new stuff for giving birth at home!!! How cool is that!?!?

Yeah - pretty cool! I'll admit to being a very lucky mama! Of course it's hard to compete with the entirely remodeled bathroom of last pregnancy - but I'm not complaining!! We've actually done some great stuff around here lately - we had a detached garage which we just had demolished and redid the area with wonderful grass and plantings. And my husband is almost done building the most wonderful deck / back porch area complete with outdoor kitchen. And we put up a new privacy fence - so I am totally planning to spend a lot of my labor time (and hey - maybe birthing time!) outside this time around - which I am VERY excited about!! I think it would be soooo cool to give birth outdoors!

[witchbaby]

cascade (http://www.1cascade.com)
birth with love (http://www.birthwithlove.com/index.asp)
:bouncy
i also need a birth ball. i was considering asking about using my midwives', but i decided i want one at home for the last trimester-- the kids can play with it next summer! :LOL where would i score one for cheap?
oh, and michelle at muttaqin (http://muttaqinbaby.com) is making me a "born at home" dipe for q to wear after we're all cleaned up! :love

[birthjunkie27]

Ooooh, yes a birth ball.

Spark, can you please explain Arnica pellets/gel? Like what are they used for and where to buy?

[Spark]

Target or Wal-Mart like stores seem to have the cheapest birth balls. And, YES kids love them! :LOL Thread from earlier about Birth Balls: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=333000&highlight=birth+ball

The Arnica I was referring to is a homeopathic remedy. This is what it's used for during labor:
Arnica: this wonderful remedy can be given from time to time during any labour to help the muscles function properly, and to relieve the over-exertion of labour.
Then for after the birth:
Arnica: relieves soreness and bruising and helps with after pains. It is also helpful for babies who are bruised (from a long labour or a forceps delivery). If you are still sore after three days then take Bellis perennis to help with bruising to deep muscle tissues. Arnica may also be taken after a fall or accident while you are pregnant.
(taken from http://www.homeopathy-soh.org/about-homeopathy/what-is-homeopathy/pregnancy-and-childbirth.aspx but there are many sources that say the same thing)

The gel can be rubbed on. And the pellets are just taken orally letting them dissolve under the tongue.

[DesireeH]

I got my birth balls at Target. Depending on how tall you are......I like the 60 and 70 cm ones best.

[witchbaby]

i haven't checked the local target yet, but i looked at the website and the cheapest were available by web only IN 4-8 WEEKS. um, no. if they don't have any at my fave target (which i have been to, no lie, 3 times in the last week), i'll score one on ebay.

[amygoforth]

Sorry to chime in so late. Has anyone used the big disposable maxi pads that have a cold pack in the middle? I had my first baby in the hospital, and the lovely nurses sent several home with me. Ohmygoodness, they made my tender yoni feel so much better. I found some on the website where I'll be ordering my mw's homebirth kit, and I'm definitely adding a dozen to my order.

And another question... Have any of you reused your peri bottles? I'm considering using mine to store baby butt cleanser for my cloth wipes. I wonder how long they last?

-- Amy

[rapscallions]

amygoforth, still using my peri bottle filled w/ dr. bronner's and water 2.5yrs later. witchbaby, don't do ebay unless mega cheap... i got a large, cheap exercise/pilates ball from sports authority and it worked great. held air for over a year despite my boys giving it total what-for.

[littleteapot]

Have:
Bendy straws.
Fetoscope

Need:
Kiddie pool
Hose
Chux/puppy pads
fish scale
Labour-aide or Emergen-C
Shepherd's purse tincture
Embroidery thread

[Geofizz]

i got a large, cheap exercise/pilates ball from sports authority and it worked great.
For those living in the midwest: Meijer had exercise balls on sale this week for $10.

[DesireeH]

Has anyone used the big disposable maxi pads that have a cold pack in the middle?

I loved those too! I have 2 leftover from last time! :)

I also have extra peri bottles and I have reused them for wipe solution when out and about and lotion and whatever and it still works (my son just turned 3.) LOL

[cariadanam]

Do you know the name of the pads with the cold pack or have a link? They sound wonderful.

[cariadanam]

Oh and maybe I missed it, but why do people like Depends post birth? It never occured to me to use them.

[Spark]

Cold Pack Pads:
http://www.birthwithlove.com/categories/itempage.asp?prodid=Peri%2DCold+Pads
http://www.birthwithlove.com/categories/itempage.asp?prodid=Peri%2DCold+Insert

Julie, I really like depends for after the birth. 1. Keeps my own underwear from getting stained. 2. No leaking blood. 3. Easy to thread your feet through when your legs don't want to work. 4. Easy to use!

Things I'm thinking of adding to my birth supply list -- something for after pain pains. They were something intense with Cicely and I hear that they just get stronger with every extra babe.
I'm considering something like this:
http://www.birthwithlove.com/categories/itempage.asp?prodid=After%2DPain+Relief%2DMountain +Meadow+Herbs%2DMontana%2DMade
or
http://www.birthwithlove.com/categories/itempage.asp?prodid=After+Pain+Relief+Tincture+++% 2DHERBLORE

Of course lots of other places sell similar. This is just one site.

[witchbaby]

Cold Pack Pads:
http://www.birthwithlove.com/categories/itempage.asp?prodid=Peri%2DCold+Pads
http://www.birthwithlove.com/categories/itempage.asp?prodid=Peri%2DCold+Insert

Julie, I really like depends for after the birth. 1. Keeps my own underwear from getting stained. 2. No leaking blood. 3. Easy to thread your feet through when your legs don't want to work. 4. Easy to use!

Things I'm thinking of adding to my birth supply list -- something for after pain pains. They were something intense with Cicely and I hear that they just get stronger with every extra babe.
I'm considering something like this:
http://www.birthwithlove.com/categories/itempage.asp?prodid=After%2DPain+Relief%2DMountain +Meadow+Herbs%2DMontana%2DMade
or
http://www.birthwithlove.com/categories/itempage.asp?prodid=After+Pain+Relief+Tincture+++% 2DHERBLORE

Of course lots of other places sell similar. This is just one site.

my midwives reccomend getting afterease tincture, which i added to my list. i remember the contractions being pretty painful every time i nursed after k for about a week and i know they're supposed to be stronger with #2 and on.

[cariadanam]

The homeopathic Pulsatilla is supposed to be good for afterpains. I never had intense after pains, so I can't say for sure how much they work (or maybe they worked really really well ;) )

[Spark]

my midwives reccomend getting afterease tincture, which i added to my list. i remember the contractions being pretty painful every time i nursed after k for about a week and i know they're supposed to be stronger with #2 and on.

This one? http://www.birthwithlove.com/categories/itempage.asp?Subcat=00BB&catid=03AA&prodid=AfterEase+Tincture-Wishgarden That sounds like a good combo for sure.

Julie, I did pulsatilla as well, but the herbal seemed to be a better combo for me. After Jude I had some afterbirth pains in the days following birth. After Cicely some of my afterbirth pains were more painful than labor. I hear that they just keep getting stronger and stronger after each baby. I'm going to have something herbal on hand just in case. And, I do have pulsatilla as well. :thumb

Ow, I just remember those HURTING!

Ironic Moment Defined: I'm more concerned about afterbirth pains than labor at this moment in the day! :LOL

[allnaturalmama]

Wow, girls, you've snapped me out of my ignorance! My BA gave me a list of about only 5 items I needed for the HB, and I was thinking, this is easy! But, now I realize those are just things to help with the birth (trash bags, chux, pillows, etc); I've not thought about the immediate postpartum period, or even accessories for the pool (like hose, faucet adaptor, floor protector, etc)

DUH!

I've made a list from all of your great lists, and am so grateful this came up now, rather than at Thanksgiving time!

Jen

[witchbaby]

This one? http://www.birthwithlove.com/categories/itempage.asp?Subcat=00BB&catid=03AA&prodid=AfterEase+Tincture-Wishgarden That sounds like a good combo for sure.

Julie, I did pulsatilla as well, but the herbal seemed to be a better combo for me. After Jude I had some afterbirth pains in the days following birth. After Cicely some of my afterbirth pains were more painful than labor. I hear that they just keep getting stronger and stronger after each baby. I'm going to have something herbal on hand just in case. And, I do have pulsatilla as well. :thumb

Ow, I just remember those HURTING!

Ironic Moment Defined: I'm more concerned about afterbirth pains than labor at this moment in the day! :LOL

yup, that's it. if i have any left i'm sending it (along with any unused supplies) to a friend who's during HER hbac in february! gotta spread the love around! :throb

[birthjunkie27]

Just wanted to add that you can make your own cold pack maxi pads. I did with my last homebirth. Just take a regular maxi pad, get it damp with water, then sort of mold into a slightly cupped shape, and stick in freezer. It works really well, is really cheap, BUT I don't know how long they'd stay cold compared with the "real" cold pads. I had those "real" cold pads with Dd's hospital birth and they were AWESOME!

[Spark]

Bethany, that's a good point. A lot of the stuff on those lists or kits are things that you can make do without or find an alternative at home.

For instance, I'm not ordering anything but some herbs this time around. I'm getting a peri bottle from Sally's Beauty supply. I have left over chux pads (although those have alternatives, too -- puppy piddle pads, wool blankets, towels, etc). And, i'm not sending away just for an umbilical clamp, when embroidery string will do.

I've never used a cold pack on my perineum. Just the herbal sitz bath after birth with my baby. My perineum has always been really quite fine without a cold pack. Heck, last birth, I only used the peri bottle to entertain my toddler and not to take any sting out of going pee!

[wawoof]

Oh wow, so much I need to think about! Our midwife is helping find a doula to help with DS during the birth. We're still looking for daycare for baby brother for next April (when I have to go back to teaching). We still need to figure out what we're going to do with our dog during the birth. He's overprotective and can't be trusted around strangers. Unfortunate that our due date is right after Christmas - we'd have to reserved and pay for weeks to get him into a kennel. I'm hoping we can find a dog-sitter, but again, the holidays are tough. If we can't find a sitter.... I don't know.

I plan to order a pre-packaged birth kit for sure - I don't have time to deal with assembling one. Has anyone used prefolds for the the afterbirth blood? I have so many spare CDs around that I hate the idea of buying special sposies for myself if I could just use prefolds or flats and wash them with the baby's (and probably DS's - no interest in PT!) diapers... I suppose I could wet and freeze them to provide cold relief. But if the blood is really hard to wash out then maybe sposies would be better.

I need to plan for the afterpains - those were really uncomfortable last time. I wish I believed in homeopathics, but since I don't, I doubt they'd even provide a placebo effect. I guess it's probably Tylenol for me, like last time...

[DesireeH]

That stinks about the dog, Amara. I have two as well but I have a fenced backyard so when people come over I will just put them outside (I'm in California though too, it doesnt get that cold here.) Hopefully I am not in labor in the middle of the night or they will probably whine cause they are used to sleeping in my room! LOL What about your garage? I might put mine in there if I have to with their blanket and pillows. LOL Hopefully it's a short labor........ahahahaha

[littlemomma]

Is there a particular "fishy" kid pool I should get that you have liked? I am tall (5/9) and want to be sure the water covers my tummy. I don't know if I'll be in the mood to use it because the water didn't make me feel good during ds's birth, but I want to have it as an option (since I don't know if I"ll use it, I don't want to rent a tub ($$)).

Please send me links because I'll have to get it online because all the stores around here are out of summer stuff.

Thanks!!!!!

[allnaturalmama]

Hi Littlemomma,

I'm 5'9", too, and this is the fishy pool I chose:

Intex Inflatable Ocean Reef Swimming Pool Model 56493 (http://www.qualityinflatables.com/56493.html)

Advantages: I picked it because it is bigger in diameter, and also 25" deep, which is a few inches deeper than most of the other kiddy pools I've looked at.

Disadvantages: you'll need a lot of floor space for it. Also, because it's fall, you'll have a harder time finding an online retailer with a decent price.

The retailer link above had it last summer for $20, but I missed it. By the time I was ready to buy, they were sold out for the season. I did an ongoing search on ebay and managed to catch it for $27 delivered, I think, but ebay will be very hit or miss now. Here's a link to one retailer who claims to have it instock:

http://store.yahoo.com/ismartshoppe/56493.html

I would also google different variations of the brand name, description, and item number to see if you can find a better deal (if you have the time and inclination :D )

Best wishes on your hunt!

Jennifer

[littlemomma]

Thanks Jennifer! I'm definitly going to get that one too! It looks perfect!

[wawoof]

Desiree,

Thanks for the dog suggestions. I do have a fenced backyard but our dog can jump the fence. I'm pretty sure he'd freak out in the garage. I suppose one possibility is he could be in the back of the car - he's comfortable in there and it won't be too hot in December. Really depends on how long the birth is, as you said.