Home Birth Check In?
enkb
member
I've seen a few mentions recently about people planning home births, and I was hoping we could have a check in to see how we're all feeling. I know we have a few things that will be different than for the majority of the women on the board planning a hospital birth.
1. Will this be your first baby or your first at home? First baby for me!
2. Do you have any specifically homebirth anxieties? I've developed a bit of a complex about going 'late' and not being able to stay with my midwife, who I love, past 42 weeks
3. What is in your 'birth kit', or the equivalent of the hospital bag to pack? Selfish question because I don't have a clue. Obviously I'll have all my clothes, toiletries and the babies things at the house already, and I know the midwife has a more 'medical' list (pads, etc) to get, but I feel like I should be packing something else and I just don't know what it is 
Re: Home Birth Check In?
2. Do you have any specifically homebirth anxieties? I'm paranoid about something going wrong, like shoulder dystocia or baby coming out flat/grey. I know these things can happen in hospital too but it still worries me! I live within 10 minutes of a hospital and a block away from a paramedic station which is the only reason I am even CONSIDERING home birth.
3. What is in your 'birth kit', or the equivalent of the hospital bag to pack? I haven't started preparing any of this! My midwife is going to send me a list of things to prepare and I'll probably start getting things together after that. However, if I do deliver at home I will definitely be doing a waterbirth in a birth pool provided by my midwife.
I want to ADD a question!
4. How do you deal with people's criticism of homebirth or telling you horror stories about homebirth's they've heard?
2. Do you have any specifically homebirth anxieties? My biggest fear is something that requires that I transfer to a hospital before my due date. The first hurdle was not having GD. I'm also anemic so I'm currently on a blood building regimen to bring my red blood cells up. It's a lot of supplements since I really can't eat meat these days. I also need to make sure my blood pressure stays down, which hasn't been an issue.
3. What is in your 'birth kit', or the equivalent of the hospital bag to pack? I haven't started preparing at all. My midwife will bring the birth pool to my 36 week home visit. I need to order the birth kit soon. I just feel like doing it to early will jinx things. Other stuff that I'll have are string lights, a comfy robe to wear when I get out of the tub, and something comfortable to wear when I allow my dad to come meet the baby (he and my mom live next door).
4. How do you deal with people's criticism of homebirth or telling you horror stories about homebirth's they've heard? I've only dealt with it once, on facebook and I told the woman that she was absolutely not allowed to fear monger on my facebook page. If she wanted to have a rational discussion, that was fine. She never replied. Other than that, I think people know better than to give me crap about something like this. It wouldn't end well for them. My family, however, is completely supportive.
2. Baby being too big and going past 42 weeks as well
3. I didn't realize we needed more than a pool since we'll be at home where everything else is at... Oh and some painters plastic so things don't get all messy
4. I've had one bad story but other than that everyone is excited and happy for me. A lot have told me they were jealous
2. That the pain will be too much and I'll request a transfer
3. We still have to buy the birth pool liner, and all the items on the list my midwife gave me. We also have to pack a "just in case" bag in case we transfer to the hospital.
4. Most people don't have much to say. They just say I'm brave. My mom goes "so you still planning on doing it at home?" With doubt in her voice
I want to ADD a question!
4. How do you deal with people's criticism of homebirth or telling you horror stories about homebirth's they've heard?
Tell them to F off.
No but seriously tell them, "I did my research." Then laugh it off and change the subject. Changing their mind is too much work, and you know what choice is right for you and your family.
2. Going past the due date and having to get induced (DD arrived 3 weeks in advance so it's not likely to happen)
3. Got a list from my midwife: painters plastic, 2/3 older bedsheets, pads, pants for single use and other little hygiene products like that. She also said that it would be nice to have two RED towels to wrap baby in because red is the one color babies are familiar with so they like it! ;-)
4. I've learned to say that it's the best option for me but that I fully understand that it's not for everybody. I also add that we live 5 minutes away from the hospital and that our midwife is a neighboor and a friend. But I don't try to justify my decision anymore. The second time around, it's easier not to listen to every comment... ;-)
1. Will this be your first baby or your first at home? Third baby and third homebirth.
2. Do you have any specifically homebirth anxieties? Not really. I think the fact that I've done it twice helps me feel more calm and at ease going into it. Birth is fairly normalized for me. My siblings and I were born at home, and as the daughter of a Midwife and Doctor, I've been sort of immersed in it my whole life. The only thing that has really been on my mind is if I deliver before my midwives are able to arrive. (I have a history of quick labours.) I also delivered my last at 37 weeks. Any earlier this time, and I won't be delivering at home. (That's ok with me though, as I'd like to have a pre term baby in a hospital vs home anyways.)
3. What is in your 'birth kit', or the equivalent of the hospital bag to pack? I am gathering a small basket based on a list my Midwife gave me. I can post it below,
Homebirth supplies:
olive oil
bowl/pan for placenta
plastic sheet for bed
extra wash cloths and a bowl for hot water compresses
garbage bags (for the chux pads and pool lining - easy clean up)
hand mirror
good nights bed pad
bendy straws
ice chips
Waterbirth supplies:
extra towels
drop cloth to spread under pool
hose
small sieve (you guessed it...)
pool/adaptor and pliers/inflator
drain pump & hose
flannel sheet or blanket to wrap baby in
postpartum supplies:
depends pads or underwear
comfortable clothing for mother
thermometer to monitor mother first 24 hours
nursing pads
cloth pads
peri bottle
hydrogen peroxide (in case of any blood stains)
acetaminophen or homeopathic pain relief
breast cream
On another note, is it worth taking acetaminophen during labor? Does it help, even marginally?
Married DH: 2013
DD: Dec 2015
BFP 8/14/17 --> Due 4/27/2018
@MammaDoc, I believe all registered midwives are required to bring (and mine certainly does bring) vitamin K, erythromycin, the hepatitis vaccine, oxygen, and Pitocin to every birth she attends. She can also administer antibiotics for Group B strep and blood testing kits to test for Rh factor of newborns and will administer Rhogam if needed. They also have certifications in newborn resuscitation that require yearly classes to maintain, and carry newborn intubation kits. I am sure there are differences between midwives and in different states and countries, but these are pretty standard as far as I know.
I completely understand that home birth is not something everyone wants and totally respect anyone's decision to birth wherever they feel most comfortable and safe. I am just so glad that this option exists for me as it is what is most comfortable and safe for me and my family.
Married DH: 2013
DD: Dec 2015
BFP 8/14/17 --> Due 4/27/2018
It's hilarious. And I'm not teasing anyone because these are in fact the things you would need!
It sounds like stuff "Dexter" would carry in his trunk.
I'm going to go order plastic drop cloths, blood stain remover, giant trash bags, rubber gloves, and disposable clothing on Amazon and wonder if I'll get flagged by the fbi.
I'll post a screen shot when it says, "People who bought these items also bought...duct tape, a bone saw..."