[simple life]

I saw in the 'who's attending your birth' thread that at least a few are planning to birth unassisted.

Originally we had planned to have a midwife, but things have fallen through, being it's Missouri, I can see why it would happen! So we have decided to do it ourselves. DH is a little nervous about it, but we live very close to a hospital and he works for 911 so can get help extra fast. Plus I'll be seeing someone here.

For those who are doing it alone

, have you before or is this your first? What do you plan to do to prepare yourself, your home and your husband/partner. What do you think would be needed for a home birth, like a supplies list. Any links or book suggestions very welcome.

Thanks,
Julie

 

[Gray's Mommy]

I am not planning a u/c, but www.inhishands.com is a great site for birth supplies & the cost is very affordable.

 

[kayjayjay]

We're planning our first u/c (second homebirth). There's a great unassisted childbirth forum here, and you should check out the February UCer's thread.

With our last birth, we bought a birth kit recommended by our midwife, and we ended up not using at least 1/2 of it. I think we're going to buy some chux pads and maybe cord clamps, and that's it this time. Just do what feels comfortable to you.

 

[mamaglee]

We're planning to go it alone. As far as planning, I'm trying to decide about a birth pool. This time I don't want anything that seems "medical" at all. Last time the chux pads and cord clamps bugged me for some reason...so I'm going to use lots of old towels/blankets, mama cloth pads and a braided tie for the cord ( I wish I wanted a lotus birth, but I really don't). Then I'll probably buy cord clamps just in case.

I'll probably have a couple herbal remedies on hand.

Last time I had made quite a few veggie dinners in advance...so we had veggie lasagna that night for all the grandmas and aunty...it was a birthday party

. I really liked that, but this time I want to keep it our little family for awhile. I do want FOOD for after the birth...food never tastes so good

.

I've got most of our newborn cloth diapers. I want new big sister presents for my older daughters. Hmmmm... I will put a shower curtain between a couple sets of sheets on our bed. I'll be making a mixed CD and gathering candles. I'm not sure what else yet...

 

[lanielayne]

This will be my second. I didn't do much to prepare for the first one and don't plan on having to do much this time. The only things I plan to buy would be a clear tarp or shower curtain, let my kids pick out some embroidery floss to tie the cord with, some cloth pp pads or make the myself, and some herbs for a pp bath and rinse. Oh and and a bottle to rinse with after using the bathroom - maybe just a reused water bottle. Everything else I would already have on hand like old towels and such.

www.unhinderedliving.com is great as well as http://unassistedbirth.com.
There are also a few yahoo groups that have been great for me that focus on unassisted birth. I haven't read any books on UC but I know there are a handful out there.

Luckily for me I don't have to prepare dh for UC, he would have UCed from the beginning. He trusts birth and me.

 

[simple life]

Wow, thanks for all the ideas, links and also thoughts. I think it'll be pretty simple for us too, but I also know that I'll probably need to over prepare for the sake of dh as he will be a tad nervous, but he also views birth the way I do, so I think that'll help.

I never thought of the shower curtain for the bed that makes perfect sense!

So has anyone just used their bath tub for a water birth??? Any thoughts on that?

Thanks again and keep them coming if you have more.

Julie

 

[simple life]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayjayjay We're planning our first u/c (second homebirth). There's a great unassisted childbirth forum here, and you should check out the February UCer's thread. With our last birth, we bought a birth kit recommended by our midwife, and we ended up not using at least 1/2 of it. I think we're going to buy some chux pads and maybe cord clamps, and that's it this time. Just do what feels comfortable to you.

could you send me a link to the February Uc thread. I have looked for it but can't find it. Thank you,

Julie

 

[simple life]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayjayjay We're planning our first u/c (second homebirth). There's a great unassisted childbirth forum here, and you should check out the February UCer's thread. With our last birth, we bought a birth kit recommended by our midwife, and we ended up not using at least 1/2 of it. I think we're going to buy some chux pads and maybe cord clamps, and that's it this time. Just do what feels comfortable to you.

never mind,it was right under my nose. I was looking in the Unassisted forum, but it's here!

Thanks again
Julie

 

[lanielayne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by simple life So has anyone just used their bath tub for a water birth??? Any thoughts on that?

Nope I like the floor, myself, in the corner of my room. I have been toying with the idea of a waterbirth this time but if I wanted one it would have to be in my tub. Unfortunately my tub is tiny! Also I don't know that I like the idea of being all wet when dc is born. I think I would want to take a shower right away and not be comfy sitting in towels and such. We shall see!

 

[arlecchina]

I had med torture the first time. UC this time. pretty much all my partner and I do is research

we're both in complete agreement that since we made this baby, we can also labour together and bring it into the world together. I'm getting some shower cutain liners in case I dont stay in the tub (we're debating kiddie pool but really, I think the tub is fine). I'm not worried about clamps and that junk because we're not cutting the cord at all (lotus birth). so basically all I feel I need is my home, my partner, some towels, some shower cutain liners, and........that's it. oh, and a rubber duck. I refuse to labour in the tub with only my partner to play with