Homebirth ?

Hi All. I know there are a number of ladies who have had homebirth on this site so I am just wondering what I need to get ready? I have hired a birthing pool but what else needs to be ready to go?
I plan on birthing in the pool but if that doesn't happen I assume I should have a birthing area ready too. What would that require?
Any other tips?
Thanks in advance.

No advice so far as she said we'll talk about it when she gets back form holiday but that isn't for another week or so and I don't want to leave everything to the last minute as I have already been in hospital for preterm labour. Baby could come any day now and I just don't really feel that organised in terms of the birth.

Hi, I had a homebirth last month, and to be honest we didn't need too much. I chose not to birth in a pool so just had a shower curtain and old sheet for the floor. I ended up giving birth on my knees, leaning over a swissball, so had a pillow underneath the shower curtain (so it didn't get dirty!) for me to kneel on.
Also we bought 4 old towels from SaveMart and washed them ready to use for the birth. I forget how many we needed at the time but didn't need to use any of our "nice" towels hehe. Also had an ice cream container to put the placenta in.

You will also need quite a few packets of maternity pads, and a couple of rubbish bags. My mw and her student put on a load of washing for us before they left, and made our bed while I was getting cleaned up which was nice

Oh also, after the birth when I transferred to the couch my mw had some disposable waterproof mats to put down to protect the couch, and one of the old towels under me too.

All up there was not much mess leftover, just a wee bit of blood on the floor when I'd walked over to the couch, oops, but that scrubbed out with soap and water. It was all very tidy

Good luck for your home birth!

Hi newbie here... just joined the site!

So great to read all the info here - I have just decided I would like to have a home birth (due sept 26th).

It never even occurred to me as a possibility until my midwife mentioned it, but I made the mistake of mentioning to ladies at my work that my midwife was obviously keen on homebirths and they all freaked me out with their negative comments! Then one day a light bulb came on and I just knew it was what I wanted. I'll just be very selective about who I tell, thats for sure!

Kupukupu - I'm in Gissy too. Are you involved with the homebirth support group at all? I'm just waiting for them to get back to me.

~Jo

Im in Gisborne too and attend the monthly homebirth group meetings! The next meeting is next Wed 22nd June at 10am. I also go to Le Lache Legue breastfeeding group, which has like minded Mums too- next meeting wed 29th June at my house. PM if u want details of either group.
I had Andie Bruce and Kerri W attend my homebirth- 17 months ago.
I defintaly second having a bag packed. I had it in the wardrobe of baby's room, and it was great to have everything ready in one place when I wanted my birthing stuff- especially as it was early morning and DD was asleep and I didnt have to rustle around trying to find everything I wanted and risk disturbing her!
I did end up having to be transfered to hospital when I was 10cm dilated and pushing, cos of muconium in the waters- the trasnfer was a rush and unexpected and we forgot the camera

Edited by Kellz

I think in that situation I would be a little too concerned about the hospital thing to have a homebirth but that is just me. Best of luck with deciding what works for you though as it is a very personal decision.

Andie's my MW too - we tried for a homebirth last time, but had to transfer and I'm not confident about doing it at home this time because of the complications I had (but she reckons we'll make it just like a homebirth, but in the hospital ). If it had all gone to plan first time round I'd do it again for sure though! Andie is incredible - you'll love her.

Hi Sarah,

I'm in Hawea, by Wanaka and am planning a home VBAC. Loads of women around here have homebirthed and we're about 3+ hours to hospital. The midwives in the homebirth collective are well used to operating in this area and generally most problems arise well before the day, nothing is guaranteed though. Sage Femme are part of the collective, I'm not sure who else, have a google. There are helicopters if the worst came to the worst, but I haven't heard of anyone I know having to get that drastic! Of course it depends on what you'll be comfortable with, there's no point staying home if it will worry you and hinder your labour. The birthing centre in QT (where most QT ladies with uncomplicated preganacies labour and birth)is operated the same way anyway - it would only be you and your birth partner(s) and midwife in there, there is no Obstetricians or anything, as you know. There's a Doctor who has had 4 homebirths herself, called Sarah Buckley, her book is very good and all backed up by reliable studies - there is some material online - see if you can find the bit about Nature's Blueprint for birth, it explains very well how the delicate balance of hormones are orchestrated in a natural birth and how disturbing this balance can wreak havoc with the process. Have a read and then think about where you will be most comfortable and where you will be least disturbed to allow nature to take it's course, then that may lead you to the answer that's right for you. All the best! Happy and Healthy pregnancy to you. xxx

Yep Anide told me to order the pool trough her and borrow the tubing etc- but u still need some way to heat the water,...and keep heating it. I decided I didnt want DH to be spending all is time sorting the pool-so decided against it. Ended up being in the bath quite a bit, and birting kneeling on the floor leaning on the bed - until I went to hospital- I did te same there tho. Still only had the 2 homebirth midwives and Mum and DH in the room- still no drugs or interventions