Please
note, these articles solely express the view of the author and
NOT the view of the NCT
Ten things about a home birth
people may not mention
by Lucy Kirkland, Winter 2005
Disclaimer:
Please read no further if you are of a weak stomach!
1.
Big sign for the front door
In
hospital, people wait until visiting time, at home there is
no such luxury. Have a computer literate friend make up
and laminate (for longevity…) signs stating ‘PLEASE
NO VISITORS, WE ARE ALL ASLEEP’ for the front door, back
door, patio door, downstairs window and anywhere else people
may knock (ensures the truly desperate cannot say they did not
see the sign). Once organised, you can blu-tack a piccy
of the little one to it to keep them happy.
2.
Have extra plastic sheeting
As
part of my midwife's ‘kit’ there was a plastic sheet
but it wasn’t that big. If you are planning to birth
in your lounge (or anywhere that has a carpet) and your waters
have gone, you need protection so that you can still move around
without worrying about the floor. Also for the third stage,
if this is going to be somewhere other than where you have given
birth the same applies. I suggest Homebase disposable painting
sheets.
3.
Save old sheets/duvet covers
See
2 – the sheets are awfully uncomfortable without something
covering them – also aids absorption of liquid!
Granny to be’s loft is a good source.
4.
Remember to switch the heating and hot water to ‘ON’
At
2 in the morning when the house is suddenly cold, it takes a
while to heat up again. Don’t let your heating go
off at 10.30pm! Hot water is definitely required afterwards
for a nice bath or shower. Don’t let it empty out
through the night by filling the pool or running the dishwasher
with the midwife’s many used cups (midwives run on about
3 cups per hour, more when not much is happening, if this is
the case, get the toaster going too).
5.
Buy something to remove blood from carpets/sofas etc
Obviously,
if there is a disaster, something more that a stain devil or
1001 may be required. In my case, the only blood that
got anywhere was a tiny spot on the sofa arm on day 3 when the
midwife came to do my daughter’s Guthrie test!
6.
Warn the neighbours about the fire engine
If
you are keeping oxygen and Entonox at your house prior to the
big day, the fire service will have to come and check that you
are storing it correctly…..warn the neighbours that they
will be turning up. It saves on the gossip later!
(Then again, you could make up a much more exciting story and
see how far it travels…)
7.
Those incontinence pads make great……
….disposable
baby changing mats. They are the same as the Pampers ones
without the branding. If there are any left, ask if you
can keep them. It took 6 months for my supply to run out!
8.
Still ‘Pack your bag’
It
probably won’t happen but if you do end up at hospital
you need all your things and from what I hear hospital night
gowns don’t show your bottom in its best light.
A home birth transfer will have no time to pack at the last
minute (not because of any emergency necessarily, but during
labour is not the best time to be on a chair trying to find
your favourite slippers at the back of the wardrobe!)
9.
Look what’s happening in there mum!
If
you have shunned blinds or ‘nets’ in the past, but
live in a house that is overlooked, think again. There
would be nothing worse than labouring in semi dark when it is
a glorious day outside but all the curtains are closed so that
nobody can see in….. It doesn’t have to be attractive,
just functional. Metres of voile can be bought relatively
cheaply at local sewing shops or prospective granny’s
loft can be searched again (see 3)
10.
Emptying the pool……
If
any of you read my husband’s article in the last newsletter,
you may remember that last line regarding pumps and emptying
the birthing pool. I have one thing to say, be afraid,
be very afraid….
Related
articles:
One decaf
mocha, a tall skinny latte and a baby to go please!
A home birth as seen through a Dad's eyes by Kel Kirkland, Summer
2005 Read
more
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