Home-Birthers: what items did you need in your birth
By eden32
@eden32 (3973)
United States
March 5, 2007 9:38am CST
I'm about 6 weeks pregnant with my fourth child. If all goes how I wish it to, I will be birthing in my home, assisted by a very good friend who's also a midwife. To work within my budget, I will be picking up supplies here & there throughout my pregnancy rather than spending one large lump & purchasing one of the 'birth kits' available at various websites. My bathtub is large enough to labor or birth in comfortably, so I don't see a need to rent or buy a birth pool. I own a birth ball already. I plan to make my own rice heating pads, and to make a bunch in a variety of sizes.
What items did you use during your labor & birth? Were there items you wish you had available?
2 people like this
4 responses
@astromama (1221)
• United States
6 Mar 07
I am 34 weeks pregnant with my first and planning a homebirth as well. My midwife told me I would need to go to the dollar store and buy one of the picnic tablecloths with the felt-like stuff on the back, in case I end up birthing in bed. the felt will keep it from sliding around. She said I would also need some old sheets (Goodwill) that can get stained and at least 20 washcloths (for soaking in hot water and salt and using as compresses for the perineum). Something to birth in like a huge tee-shirt just so I don't flash my neighbors, a comfy robe for afterwards... things like that. Oh, another necessity is 'chucks'... my mother is a nurse so she's bringing me a pack from her clinic, but these are good for keeping under you for the first little bit, so you don't get your bed dirty. And extra-absorbant maxi pads, frozen meals, etc. so your partner doesn't have to make a run for these things later. As far as other tools for the birth, she said just to make some relaxing CD's, have birth stories printed out that I want my husband to read during first stage, massage oils, candles, bath... things that help me relax. I don't know what your midwife will bring to the birth, and what she needs you to provide. I know my midwife brings oxygen just in case, as well as items needed to sew me in case I tear.. she also brings Rescue Remedy and certain herbal tinctures. I would ask her if she can provide you with a list of things you need to have handy. Hope this helps...
3 people like this
@astromama (1221)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I wanted to add raspberry tea to my 'supplies list'.... they say drinking it throughout labor keeps your uterus working strong. I made some really strong raspberry leaf tea yesterday, mixed in a bunch of honey and froze it in ice cube trays so I can suck on it during labor. My midwife also recommends I have an unopened (sterile) container of honey in case the baby needs a quick blood sugar boost (unlikely, but just in case) and a tube of astroglide! Also, cabbage leaves in case of engorgement and a well stocked fridge... lots of popsicles, OJ, and yogurt. I'm 37 weeks now... getting my supplies together and counting down the days!
@lillake (1630)
• United States
7 Mar 07
Personally, I like both. After Evan the midwife gave me some bags to herbs for soaking and they were nice, definitely made eased the ache. After Trey i had ordered some online that were for easing the ache and had lavender to calm. I really loved them, if I didn't have a newborn needing me i probably would ahve soaked for hours.
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@ryleesmama (560)
• United States
11 Mar 07
I just had my first homebirth in Oct. It was wonderful. I went to walmart and got a plastic matress cover for $5. It was great because I delivered in my bed so after I was done they just folded it up and threw it away. If you go to inhishands.com they have all kinds of items that you can order for a home birth. My midwife had a birth kit on their and so all I needed to do was order that. I wish that I had a rice heating pad. I will keep that in mind for next time. Make sure you get an after birth sitz bath. It was great to get in the tub with an herbal mixture. Also I bought a cheap nightgown that I could throw away after the birth. make sure you have about 6 towels and some large pads.
2 people like this
@ragmama (536)
• United States
16 Mar 07
Congratulations on your pregnancy! My daughter's birth was induced in a hospital with an epidural, and just wasn't a pleasant experience (aside from the end result.) I'm SO looking forward to having a peaceful homebirth when we're blessed with another child. I hope yours is wonderful!
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