Diaper Swappers

bluedaisyma · 05-01-2012, 03:39 PM

Tell me about your experiences and what you had on hand, or wish you did, or did and didn't need.....any tips, advice, etc. Thanks!!

BabySnickerdoodles · 05-01-2012, 04:52 PM

I had a fantastic experience! I did go on to have a midwife with my next birth, but I'd say they both were awesome, since my midwife really let me run the show completely, and was only there when I wanted to be checked to make sure I could give in to my urge to push

I would say to make sure you get a birth kit (there are lots of websites for this, often local ones that ship for a good price).

I would also HIGHLY recommend you get a birthing pool and liner, it was amazing! Seriously, I would say it was better than my epidural in many ways...you are mobile, but every pain and intensity is numbed in a way..it was bizarre!

I would pre-make some great snack foods you crave during your pregnancy...mine were jello, pudding, and ice cream and strawberry smoothies

Have meals frozen and prepped for that day/night for your hubby/family...and make sure to make your hubby/partner/doula EAT while you labor, or they will konk out and get irritable, and that will stress you out, since they need to be your primary support person in the absence of a midwife or OB.

I'd suggest having an AWESOME playlist with soothing music...nothing too loud or upbeat...nothing with repetative annoying instruments, etc.

Lastly, EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE!! Get as many natural birthing books as you can (thinking womans guide to a better birth, etc.), and watch natural birthing movies...NOT TLC Birth Story

BabySnickerdoodles · 05-01-2012, 04:53 PM

Ooooh, and honey sticks!!!! They were the BOMB! Get a bunch if you can, they give you a great boost when you don't wanna eat food anymore

bluedaisyma · 05-01-2012, 05:13 PM

Thanks so much for responding! I have had 2 homebirths, so I know the basics of what to have but I am not 100% sure I will go UC, so I am still seeing an OB (I have an appt next week at 36 wks) and hope to just decide to stay home at the end. As far as food and honey sticks, I will have all that covered, I am just wondering (out loud, on here) what things I absolutely need, like bare minimum. I would love a pool, etc, but we don't have any money at all for anything like that. (one of the reasons I want to go UC is bc medicaid only covers a portion of homebirth and there are OOP expenses that I can't cover, so I can't have a MW there even if I want one).

So things I am thinking I must have: (I am not writing down stuff that's obvious to me like diaps and baby hats, etc)

*sterilized bulb syringe
*sterlized sharp scissors
*cord ring, clamp or thread (although, I don't see that as a need, as I plan on waiting until the cord is completely flat and white or going lotus)
*old towels
*dollar store shower curtains (a few)
*freshly washed towels and blankets (already washed and zipped up safe)
*bowl for placenta
*thermometer
*heating pad
*homeopathic remedies for labor and afterbirth
*shepherd's purse for bleeding
*peri bottle

can't tell if I am blanking on something important....

BabySnickerdoodles · 05-01-2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluedaisyma

Thanks so much for responding! I have had 2 homebirths, so I know the basics of what to have but I am not 100% sure I will go UC, so I am still seeing an OB (I have an appt next week at 36 wks) and hope to just decide to stay home at the end. As far as food and honey sticks, I will have all that covered, I am just wondering (out loud, on here) what things I absolutely need, like bare minimum. I would love a pool, etc, but we don't have any money at all for anything like that. (one of the reasons I want to go UC is bc medicaid only covers a portion of homebirth and there are OOP expenses that I can't cover, so I can't have a MW there even if I want one).

So things I am thinking I must have: (I am not writing down stuff that's obvious to me like diaps and baby hats, etc)

*sterilized bulb syringe
*sterlized sharp scissors
*cord ring, clamp or thread (although, I don't see that as a need, as I plan on waiting until the cord is completely flat and white or going lotus)
*old towels
*dollar store shower curtains (a few)
*freshly washed towels and blankets (already washed and zipped up safe)
*bowl for placenta
*thermometer
*heating pad
*homeopathic remedies for labor and afterbirth
*shepherd's purse for bleeding
*peri bottle

can't tell if I am blanking on something important....

I delivered in my bathtub actually, for our UC...but I had the tub for labor during my midwife-attended birth

We used yarn for his cord, but I donno...looks like you've got all your bases covered to me...but I might be forgetting something, lol!

OH! We did use the painters drop-cloths from the dollar store, to go under the bed...and a HUGE tip I got, was to have 2 sets of fitted sheets. Make the bed twice...so: Matress, drop cloth, fitted sheet, drop cloth, fitted sheet. You can either top with those big square pads, or towels

I only was on the bed when my long labor stalled, and I took advantage of it and slept...but its nice having that peace of mind, that the bed isn't getting soiled

So when baby comes, ya'll can just strip of the whole yuck layer, and have sparkling nice sheet underneath! Voila!

You may want a bunch of flannel recieving blankets that are soft, to dry baby off with, since towels can be rough on their little tender skin?

okay...out of suggestions...but YAY! How exciting! We did the same thing...we saw a family practice Midwife, but when they started the interventions and wanted to induce me, and admitted us under false pretenses, we signed an AMA form and booked it out of there...i went into labor that evening, and delivered the next....it was awesome!

bluedaisyma · 05-01-2012, 05:13 PM

DP

L J · 05-01-2012, 05:30 PM

All of my birth stories are in the birth story section on here if you want to read them.

I really didn't need anything that is typically on birth supply lists.

Ds1 was a water birth in the fishy pool, so we had that and a hose. Towels. A shoestring for the cord and boiled scissors to cut the cord.

Dd I had in the tub. So, basically the same - towels. But I just used my normal bath towels, blood washes out.

Mamatoabunch · 05-02-2012, 08:40 AM

I've had 8 UC's. All of my UC's have been wonderful experiences!

My top thing to have on hand is a kiddie pool to birth in, never want to birth w/o it. Otherwise, I have the typical HB items on hand.

bluedaisyma · 05-02-2012, 10:38 AM

Laura, I will have to look up your stories, thanks! I love reading birth stories!

Heather, thanks again! I actually have the towels for me and the old receiving blankets for the baby- as you said they are softer. With my 1st HB we did the 2 sets of sheets with a shower curtain in the middle, but I like the drop cloth idea better. My 2nd HB, DS was born on the toilet, so it didn't matter

Right now our tub is clogged....like you can shower in there and then dump the water, so I can't bathe in it.....grrrrrrrr

Annabelle, thanks for responding!

You ladies are really encouraging me to do what I *know* in my heart is right for my family

bluedaisyma · 05-02-2012, 10:38 AM

DP surprise, surprise

05-01-2012, 03:39 PM	#1
bluedaisyma Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 6,799 Ratings: 27 Feedback: 100%	Unassisted Childbirth.... Tell me about your experiences and what you had on hand, or wish you did, or did and didn't need.....any tips, advice, etc. Thanks!! __________________ Jul, Mama to 1/2 dozen boys; and been doing those "off-beat" parenting things way before they were cool and learning more each day!

05-01-2012, 04:52 PM	#2
BabySnickerdoodles Registered Users Formerly: Generalsgirl08 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,047 Ratings: 52 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Unassisted Childbirth.... I had a fantastic experience! I did go on to have a midwife with my next birth, but I'd say they both were awesome, since my midwife really let me run the show completely, and was only there when I wanted to be checked to make sure I could give in to my urge to push I would say to make sure you get a birth kit (there are lots of websites for this, often local ones that ship for a good price). I would also HIGHLY recommend you get a birthing pool and liner, it was amazing! Seriously, I would say it was better than my epidural in many ways...you are mobile, but every pain and intensity is numbed in a way..it was bizarre! I would pre-make some great snack foods you crave during your pregnancy...mine were jello, pudding, and ice cream and strawberry smoothies Have meals frozen and prepped for that day/night for your hubby/family...and make sure to make your hubby/partner/doula EAT while you labor, or they will konk out and get irritable, and that will stress you out, since they need to be your primary support person in the absence of a midwife or OB. I'd suggest having an AWESOME playlist with soothing music...nothing too loud or upbeat...nothing with repetative annoying instruments, etc. Lastly, EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE!! Get as many natural birthing books as you can (thinking womans guide to a better birth, etc.), and watch natural birthing movies...NOT TLC Birth Story __________________ Heather, Loving wife to Jon & Mama to Jason (6), Tyler (5) Micah (3) , Emma (1) and with Snickerdoodle #5! What's up at Baby Snickerdooodles? Facebook & The Baby Snickerdoodles Blog! Ready to Shop for Woolies? Check out Baby Snickerdoodles on Etsy

05-01-2012, 04:53 PM	#3
BabySnickerdoodles Registered Users Formerly: Generalsgirl08 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,047 Ratings: 52 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Unassisted Childbirth.... Ooooh, and honey sticks!!!! They were the BOMB! Get a bunch if you can, they give you a great boost when you don't wanna eat food anymore __________________ Heather, Loving wife to Jon & Mama to Jason (6), Tyler (5) Micah (3) , Emma (1) and with Snickerdoodle #5! What's up at Baby Snickerdooodles? Facebook & The Baby Snickerdoodles Blog! Ready to Shop for Woolies? Check out Baby Snickerdoodles on Etsy

05-01-2012, 05:13 PM	#4
bluedaisyma Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 6,799 Ratings: 27 Feedback: 100%	Re: Unassisted Childbirth.... Thanks so much for responding! I have had 2 homebirths, so I know the basics of what to have but I am not 100% sure I will go UC, so I am still seeing an OB (I have an appt next week at 36 wks) and hope to just decide to stay home at the end. As far as food and honey sticks, I will have all that covered, I am just wondering (out loud, on here) what things I absolutely need, like bare minimum. I would love a pool, etc, but we don't have any money at all for anything like that. (one of the reasons I want to go UC is bc medicaid only covers a portion of homebirth and there are OOP expenses that I can't cover, so I can't have a MW there even if I want one). So things I am thinking I must have: (I am not writing down stuff that's obvious to me like diaps and baby hats, etc) sterilized bulb syringe sterlized sharp scissors cord ring, clamp or thread (although, I don't see that as a need, as I plan on waiting until the cord is completely flat and white or going lotus) old towels dollar store shower curtains (a few) freshly washed towels and blankets (already washed and zipped up safe) bowl for placenta thermometer heating pad homeopathic remedies for labor and afterbirth shepherd's purse for bleeding peri bottle can't tell if I am blanking on something important.... __________________ Jul, Mama to 1/2 dozen boys; and been doing those "off-beat" parenting things way before they were cool and learning more each day!

05-01-2012, 05:13 PM	#6
bluedaisyma Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 6,799 Ratings: 27 Feedback: 100%	Re: Unassisted Childbirth.... DP __________________ Jul, Mama to 1/2 dozen boys; and been doing those "off-beat" parenting things way before they were cool and learning more each day! Last edited by bluedaisyma; 05-01-2012 at 05:17 PM.