The anticipation is killing us! This is new territory for us...a homebirth. Each appointment with the midwife, it becomes more real that we will be welcoming a new person into this world, and AT HOME! Since most people think we are nuts, and some are just plain intrigued and have lots of questions (most of the questions we had too!), I thought it would be fun to simply chronicle the next 5 weeks as we prepare for a homebirth. Tub preparation, supply prep and sterilization, and etc...
So, here goes.
We received our supplies box, and I had it sit on my dresser for a few days, as the paint guy was finishing up our bedroom/bathroom and as Nate was finishing up some house projects. By the way, this was the first time we ever paid someone to paint for us and it was heavenly! I am usually 8 months pregnant and painting something! Anyways, that is beyond the point. Annabelle couldn't wait to open the box, and I actually couldn't either! It has some of the normal stuff that you see at the hospital, but then there was this comfrey tea. Interesting. Later the midwife told me that I am going to prepare my own iced pads (you know, those heavenly ice packs you get to wear right after delivery?) . Well, to prep these, I make this comfrey tea, soak the pads in the tea, and freeze them. This tea is supposed to be more healing than simply comforting. I will let you know how that one goes! And then there are straws...hmmmm...I will have to ask the midwife what those are gonna be for:)
Later, I will show you the list of things I have to simply have ready or sterilize at home. This is definitely getting interesting. But since we have finally gotten the insurance stuff nailed down, I am happy and ready to go. So check out the list of things in the box. Interesting. We have no idea what we are getting ourselves into, except that we will be able to labor and deliver with family and girls nearby just the way we like (Lord willing there are no complications!)
And by the way, her name is Daisy Hope Perkins, so you can start praying for her by name:)
1 - Vinyl Sheet, 96" x 120"
1 - Peri Irrigation Bottle
1 - Bulb Syringe, 3oz
15 - Gauze, 4" x 4", Package of 2
1 - Alcohol Prep Pads, Med, 20/pk
1 - Flexible Straws, 10/pk
1 - Sanitary Pad, Dozen
1 - Lubricating Jelly, 4oz Bottle
8 - Single Gloves, Latex, Medium
1 - Basic Cotton Baby Cap
1 - Sterile Cord Tape
1 - Digital Thermometer
1 - Povidone Solution, 8 oz
1 - Sterilization Pouch
2 - Waste Bags, 30 gallon
1 - Wish Garden Herbal Cord Care
1 - Comfrey Leaf Herb, 4 oz
1 - Almond Oil, 4 oz
Lovely!! Two of my children were born at home and these were such sweet, wonderful experiences. We are planning to birth at home this time as well (provided everything continues to go well with the pregnancy. . . we hope it does!) The statistics are very good, something like 90 to 95% of labors progress without complications. I will pray that it works well for you! Do you mind sharing contact info for the company from which you bought your supplies? I need to get some supplies too.
ReplyDeleteHey Deb! So funny you are with your "inventory"! I have experienced home birth before (been there, but wasn't me!)...nice that they provide the shower curtain liner for your bed ;) Praying all goes well for you! I LOVE Daisy....it was one of my girl names.
ReplyDeletePurplemoose, I used www.1cascade.com. Thanks for the encouragement! I am praying for your delivery as well.
ReplyDeleteCarli, I heard your experience with homebirth didn't go so well. I would love to hear more! I am glad to hear younlike the name! Love you and miss you!!
Hey Debra,
ReplyDeleteYou will be amazing at the homebirth just like you are amazing in everything you do! God will protect you and little Daisy (I also love the name). My girlfriend did a homebirth with her 4th and said it was the best experience ever. She is actually now studying to become a nurse so that she can eventually become a midwife and help others have the same wonderful experience.
How exciting! Laboring in the tub I am sure will be good. I can remember having contractions and then getting in the pool and they were so much easier to take! Will be praying!! I have not had a home birth but have heard wonderful stories from mamas who have.
ReplyDeleteHang in there!
What an exciting time for the four of you! I hope you have a beautiful birth experience. My Mom had the first four of us in hospitals, then the next five at home. I was at my littlest brother's water birth and it is one of the most amazing and beautiful things I have ever experienced. What an incredible thing to be a part of. Home births are amazing!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I love the name you picked. Daisy Hope Perkins is just beautiful. And I love the pictures of your daughter by the birth supplies. So great you let your children be involved! My siblings and I loved helping our Mom get ready!
Praying for you!
-Lydia Jane
The straws are for drinking, because homebirth midwives know how wonderful it is to drink something icy cold with a bendy straw when you're recouping in bed ;)
ReplyDeleteLoved, loved, loved our homebirths! Really looking forward to hearing about yours!
Girls, all your notes are so sweet. Thank you for the prayers!
ReplyDeleteKenj, I was just thinking about you and your crazy trip to the east coast. Hope it was a blast! I thought you would know what the straws are for:)
Just wanted to stop by and say I have been thinking about you!!
ReplyDeleteWill say a little prayer for you today!