Homebirth Stories and Advice

Hmm not much is needed!

Things I really really like that are kind of extra - an electric blanket to put the towels in so they are warm & cozy for wrapping babe in after birth (some midwives may bring this along). Washcloths for hot compresses for you while pushing (kept in a crockpot of water so they are hot). A birth ball (exercise ball) is nice to have - I have to get mine soon as I use it through the third trimester. A postpartum herb bath for mom & babe (again, some midwives may bring this along). Your choice of "pain relief" for the dreaded after pains.

If you follow the instructions many midwives give (mine included) of resting and doing nothing but taking care of you & baby for 2 weeks you may want to stock up on movies & books (borrow from friends!) if you are anything like me and would get bored doing much of nothing. I have done it both ways and doing nothing definitely worked out better as far as my feeling better, faster and all.

If you want to connect with other moms doing the homebirth thing there is a homebirth group in DFW you can look into - http://www.homebirthdallas.org/tiki-index.php

Hi V.!
Congrats on choosing a home birth! Both of our babies (boys) were born at home. Our first birth was extremely long and difficult, but we are so thankful we were at home since we believe I would have ended up with a c-section at the hospital. Our second birth was much smoother and faster - I was better able to listen and pay attention to my body and what felt right. I spent alot of time in the shower & tub but ended up not wanting to push there. We actually didn't even have time to do anything but throw some beach towels on the bed in time for the birth.

We also ordered a custom birth kit from In His Hands - www.homebirthsupplies.com
I would say definitely have the underpads for your bed, couch, rocker, etc. You can buy these in the incontinence/feminine products aisles. Towels, baby blankets, baby shirt/gown, baby cap also.

One great idea while you're in the early stages of labor is to put clean sheets on your bed, put a clear plastic painter's drop cloth or shower curtain down next, then just an old bottom sheet (or a cheap one) on top. After the birth, take off the bottom sheet and drop cloth/shower curtain, and you have clean sheets ready to go!

Our births were amazing and having our boys at home was the right choice for us. If you want to talk more, I'd love to share with you. Just send me an email!
Blessings,
K.

I had my first two (wonderful births) at home, and our third will also be born at home. I bought a pack or two of incontinence bedpads to put under me in my rocking chair, lay across the floor where I walked, etc. I wasn't able to try a water birth b/c we have a bathtub with one of those old sliding doors, so it would be too hard to get in and out, catch the baby...but I would have loved to have tried. With my first my husband turned an empty paint bucket upside down with a towel on top so I could sit under the water in the shower stall. We bought a shower stool for our next son, but didn't end up using it (he got here so fast). Besides that, clean washcloths, towels, waterproof mattress cover in case you decide to deliver in bed, baby clothes and blanket...ask your midwife if there's anything else- she of course will have all her own equimpment.

Sorry, but another vote for a hospital or a birth center just in case! you just never know what could happen. atleast have a safety net plan where there would be an ambulance called should something go wrong. think things out all the way if you really want a homebirth.

Awesome choice! I had #1 with a doctor in the hospital, and decided never again. #2 was in a hospital with a midwife. Wonderful experience, no drugs, but I was a lot more confident by #3. He was born in a jacuzzi in a birthing center. I would have preferred a homebirth, but my insurance would cover it if it was in a birthing center. We were back home about 4 hours afterward. My husband brags about how wonderful the experience is. Have your kids participate as much as possible. My youngest was the first to see and announced that it was a boy, and my oldest cut the cord. Yours are a little young for that, but its still a great memory for you to have them there. God made our bodies to have babies. You won't regret it.

I had both of my sons at home. Of course, it was 20 yrs ago. I would think not much has changed. I'm guessing you have a midwife. For those who don't know, certified midwives have a list of criteria you have to meet before a home birth is an option. It is a totally safe option for a healthy mother and baby. For my births, I had plastic sheets on the bed, as well as old sheets (that could be tossed) on top, since I didn't want to fight clingy plastic. We had a huge metal bowl filled with warm water on hand. The midwife pretty much brought everything else she needed. Of course, a water birth will be much less messy I'm guessing. Why didn't I think of that? Good luck to you and baby!

I wouldn't do it. There are too many things that can go wrong. My son & I would have died if I had been anywhere else other than a hospital. I had an amniotic fluid embolism which is just a random, freak occurence that was no one's fault & could have not been predicted.

I just wanted to add that calling an ambulance would have been too late for my son and me. It's just not worth your life nor is it worth your child's life to give birth in your home. There are other alternatives.

V.
CONGRATS...having a home birth is a wonderful thing! We had our little girl at home about 7 weeks ago. The plan was a water birth, but I ended up not feeling 'pushy' in the water and wanted to be upright and I delivered my 9 pounder in a squat postion near my bed. I have a list of things that you will need for your home birth. If you are interested, ping me seperately and send my your email address and I will send it to you.
Birthing at home with a midwife is gentle - flipping HARD - but gentle on the mom and baby. The next day my husband had to remind me to get in bed and that I just had a baby - I felt so good.
Are you using a doula by chance?
BEST WISHES to you...I would love to hear about your experience afterwards.
M.

Good for you! I'm having a waterbirth in May. I'm so glad you are doing what's safest and most gentle for your baby. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise! Good luck!

Hi V.! I have 7 children, 4 of which were born at home. The hospital birth cannot beat the home birth experience! Pretty much the usual items will be needed at home as in the hospital: receiving blankets, clean towels, baby clothes, diapers, a warm room, plastic to catch anything that you don't want to stain just in case, a bag lined basin to catch the placenta. You might also want to have a heating pad, birthing ball, massage oil and things of that nature on hand. Most midwives will have the necessary items they need for the delivery: gloves, cord cutting scissors, blue pads, etc. Since you will be at home, most of everything you will need is already there. The best thing to have on hand will be the love for the new baby and a calm environment for the baby to arrive in. Hope this helps!

I ordered my supplies from In His Hands based on a list from my midwife. The main things are the plastic sheets to protect the mattress (I delivered baby in the tub but placenta in bed) and lots of towels on hand. Also those chux pads like they use at the hospital for you to lay on for the first several hours. We used a ton of those. And they have those GREAT pads that have ice packs built into them which are activated when you bend them before putting them in your panties. They are a dream.

I had baby #3 at home with a midwife and it was the most incredible experience of my life. He was 9# 6oz and perfect. I had him at 3:15 a.m. and by 5:30 my midwives and the grandmas were gone and everyone was back asleep. We had the older two (5&3) come in the minute after he was born and they gathered around the tub and then held him and loved on him and then went back to their beds and went to sleep.

It was a blessing and I loved that my baby wasn't subjected to any birth trama. I'm sure your birth will be great - think only positive thoughts between now and then!

How wonderful for you and your family. Most midwives will have you purchase a kit that has all the items you'll need a sisde from clean towels, a swaddling blanket and your birthing team. I found my third birth, which was a home birth to be sacred, beautiful and I treasure the experience. I know you will do well.

I have had both my children at home and it was the most wonderful experience. We had a giant plastic shower curtain that we laid on the floor for my first birth and all the mess went on the curtain. We threw it in the trash afterward - easy clean up! we also used several towels. We had a big can/bucket that we threw all teh soiled towels, etc. in there and then we did a big load of laundry.

For the second baby, she was born in teh bathroom. We have a small bathroom so we had a little more mess but just lots of towels worked for us. The midwife provided everything else that was needed.

Congratulations! You will love having a baby at home. Very intimate and personal.

There is tons of advice online. Blogs about it, Ricky Lake did a movie on it.
I never had enough nerve... and frankly I didn't feel it safe for me (first child at 40)... but I think it is empowering and neat... and I wanted to wish you luck and many blessings.