Hi girls

I am planning on having my first baby at home and hoping it to also be a water birth. I have 8 weeks left and not really sure what to get. Also starting to get worried about how I am going to cope with the pain as my MW said she can bring gas and air but only half an hour cans as they are large and heavy and they can't take much in with home births.

K xx
31+6

hiya, i have just been given the green light for my home birth after some complications at the beginning of my pregnancy. i posted a few weeks ago about what to get and i didnt manage to find out the answers to my questions.
i mananaged to find the site.... www.homebirth.org.uk but i havent had time to go through it yet and find out if its useful or not. saying about pain relief i know the water is meant to make your more relaxed and hopefully ease the contractions.
is this your first baby? with my 2nd i found my body's natural pain killers the best thing ever and completely zoned out with them. i only used gas and air when i was 7cm.
i hope you get the answers you want!!
take care
vicky xx
22+6

I'm also hoping for a home (water) birth. I have just started looking into pools but I really don't what I should be looking for or what is actually needed! I have heard that if you run low on G&A the midwifes can call for more to be sent out. I went through loads of the stuff with my last birth so I know they will need a few extra cans for me! xxx

Cat 31+3

As you might know i had my Lo at home 6 weeks ago. I wouldn't worry about the G&A they will have 2 cans (1 each midwife) and they can send out for more if you need it! (I did with my first but only used it for 10mins this time) But it is Brill!! LOL
I was told clary sage oil in a burner was good as natral pain relief and i found this did work ( you breath it in when you are having a contration. I also hired a tens machine this time. I had never used on before but i did find it helped take the edge off.

If there is anything you (or anyone) wants to know about home and or waterbirths just ask and i will try to answer if i can!! (i've had 4 waterbirths 2 at home and 2 in the midwife unit)
xx

Hi K-Lou, I would say try and hold off the gas&air for as long as possible. If you really go within yourself you'll be amazed at what you can cope with. The pool is a huge pain relief too. Also take arnica every half hour throughout your labour, and rescue remedy can help you stay relaxed too.

They can always get more canisters of gas & air out to you if needed I'm sure.

You'll be great. x

Girls thank you so much :-)

Great I might try the clary sage oil everything and anything I can get my hands on.I am really really hoping that I am not going to freak out and just take it easy try and stay active and let my body do what it has to and that should help but this is my first baby and I am aware how you have to go into these things with an open mind ;-)

I know I need cheap shower curtains I will get some from Asda's did you just lay them around? What if I needed to go to the loo I am worried about messy the carpet up the stairs?? How does that work?? What can I get for my mat as well in case I end up having her on my bed??

What are the best pools to get as well?? Sorry so many questions

K xx
32 weeks

I just lay the shower curtain from the pool to the door and where i was standing before i got in the water. You can always put some towels on the stairs if you are worried about the carpet but there shouldn't really be any mess. Once you get to the pushing stage you won't want to get out of the pool anyway let alone walk up the stairs! (I know it sounds gross but the midwives are used to it)
As for your bed i brought some pampers bed mats incase (there is a money off voucher in your bounty pack) but the midwives bring something simliar with them which they would use and they put them on your settee after for you to sit on.
I really likid the blow up birth in a box pool i used and the midwife said they like them as if there was an emergacy they can get you out of a blow up pool easier?
don't worry about asking questions any help i can be. ask away!! lol.xx

I used a bucket to pee in!! Not very dignified I know but the thought of getting out of my lovely warm pool and walking to the toilet was not going to happen. x

klou i am hoping for a first time homebirth and waterbirth too
my midwife is amazingly supportive and gave my the notes on what to start to get ages ago

as for the mess they recommend plenty of old sheets and towels, plastic sheeting - diy stores or as you know smartprice shower curtains from asda

also they recommend the incontinence pads you can buy from the chemist as they are cheaper than maternity bed mats or kids bed protectors - they were i paid almost 4 pound sin boots for 5 and checked at lloyds the other day and got 30 much bigger ones for under ten pounds - they are the tena ones that older people use hence the price!!

they also recommend a bucket for wet waste, a roll of black bags, an angle poise lamp, access to phone, mirror if you want to see baby being born, as well as clean stuff ie towels etc for baby - i imagine that bit obvious lol

i have my homebirth booking appointment next week and am keeping everything crossed that it goes ahead - i am looking ofr tips for pain relief too as i know normally im a wuss lol

have you tried the hypnotherapy cds?? i have them but not listened as much as i should yet!!
jane n pink bump
33+4
xxxxx

hi karen, my midwife gave me a list of things to get at my booking in appointment when i said I want a hb. she said she will bring round gas and air when im 37 weeks and 2nd midwife will bring some too and they can call for more if needed.
she said put towels down from pool to toliet and then added "most women pee in the pool!" I said i would still like to use toliet so she said plenty of towel and water proff sheeting under pool and around it. oh and remember to pack a hospital bag for you,baby and hubby just in case x x