Homebirth - Tips from a Mother Doing it for the Second Time
Some Things I'll Do Differently, Some the Same
Disposable supplies
First, we will use disposable Chux pads. I bled a lot, and even hydrogen peroxide couldn't get it all out. I had an aversion last time to Chux pads- too medical, I said. So I decided to use towels instead. Really, I wasn't up to doing laundry for quite a while after birth so the towels weren't ideal.
Newborn clothes
Everyone said not to get newborn clothes, so I only got a package of onesies in size newborn! Well, my 6-1/2 pound baby fit in size Newborn for a long time! This time I'll be stocking up on quite a few unisex newborn outfits.
Herbs
I had Shepard's purse, Angelica, and Cayanne tinctures on hand. I used both the Shepard's purse and Angelica, but was nervous to use the cayenne. Next time I will use Cayanne should any sign of excessive post partum bleeding occur.
Birth Pool
Water was so nice during labor! Next time I'm not going to care that we don't have a place for a birth pool, and I will just go ahead and set it up in the kitchen even though it will take up the whole area.
Help
We didn't ask for help from family members at all. We could do it all, birth is a natural experience, no need for anything extra. Well, yes, birth is natural, but I was pretty wiped out after birth. Next time I will arrange for either a family member to come help out a few times in the first few weeks, or for my husband to be able to stay off work for a week and a half until I'm back on my feet.
Mail delivery of groceries
Amazon Groceries and Amazon Subscriptions enable you to order groceries with the click of the mouse and not leave the house. Next time I will not try and be frugal during the exhausting first few weeks of birth recovery and having a newborn and will just order our stuff online. We already get toilet paper and laundry detergent through Amazon Subscriptions, and I will just add to this. If we lived near a store that did grocery delivery, I would do this for the first month or so.
TV Dinners and Bottled Water
I didn't realize how hungry I would be after birth and while breastfeeding. I will stock up on easy to make TV dinners and easy bottled water something I do not normally allow in my house, so I can focus on the important task at hand- the newborn and family!
Family member's reactions
I was not sure what to expect out of my family members after our unassisted birth. Now that I know how they react (by criticizing me), I will just call one member, the most supportive one, and ask her to call everyone else for me. That way everyone is informed about just who arrived, but I am not on the receiving end of criticism.
Cleaning and house prep
I am normally a stay-at-home mom and my husband is not used to doing housework. I will make sure to de clutter and label things so that he can easily find what he needs while I focus on the baby.
Doctor's visits
I thought I might want to bring the baby in to get checked out after it was born, so I found a doctor for her. This next time I am not going to worry about that.
The First Weeks
I will plan on having no obligations for the first 4 weeks, and plan on taking 3 months off of my job as a medical transcriptionist from home. Last time I tried to do too much too quick and just ended up getting sick.
Having an unassisted homebirth was a rewarding experience that I am looking forward to doing again, but this time with some slight changes.
Published by Lea Anderson
Follower of God, Wife to my honey, Momma to my baby girl, Medical Transcriptionist, Maker of boutique children's items View profile
Homebirth: What Supplies Will I Need for a Homebirth?A list of the supplies you will need, including your birth kit, and why you may need them. I've even explained why you would need a straw, which no one ever seems to answer.- Why Women Choose Unassisted ChildbirthOne reason women choose to birth unassisted is to be in control. But it goes so much deeper than that...
Our Unassisted Homebirth - Mama's Body is Baby's EarthBy taking our cues from the natural world and trusting fully in a woman's ability to give birth, my husband and I birthed our first child unassisted at home on August 14th, 2006.
Unassisted Childbirth: Cedric Orin's Birth StoryOn September 24, 2007, Cedric Orin was born into his father's hands at home in our bed with his older brother watching. Here are the details of our amazing labor and birth exper...- The Family Members Alert to Communal PropertyAll family members should know who has prepared the will for a parent, and where it is.
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10 Comments
Post a CommentGreat resource!
Great article! I agree wholeheartedly (after 4 births and soon to be 5!).
Great article! I think it is wonderful that you opted for a homebirth. So many women are wanting c-sections these days thinking that it is the "easy" way to give birth. I wish you all the best.
Aww Lea, I'm sorry it turned out not to be this time. But this is a great article! Very useful to anyone considering homebirth.
Ha ha, when I wrote that I thought I was pregnant. But my HPTs are very much showing only one line now. I think it was just a fluke, no bleeding either.
Great article!! Have another happy homebirth.
Good plan for the birth pool, Heather. I personally would have liked to have stairs when I was in labor, but every labor is different :o)
Mommy2 Thanks for the tip about doctors. Our doctor does do house calls as well, but I didn't want anyone interrupting the first few days of bonding that we had with our family. I was surprised at how at peace I was with knowing that the baby was just fine.
I thought of something else, if I was a first-time mother over again, I'd get more books on breastfeeding. Like every book that is on Amazon! I had trouble with that in the beginning and wish I had been a little better prepared.
Excellent tips! I haven't done this before, but it sounds like you'er right on target with those tips. On the doctor part: Many children's hospitals will do housecalls for right after the baby is born. You might want to look into that. That way the baby can get checked, but you and baby don't have to go anywhere. ;-)
These are great tips. I think personal experience makes the best teacher. I am definitely going to remember these tips. I am putting my birth pool in my son's room down the hall. It's the only place it'll fit except downstairs, and who wants to go up and downstairs all day with contractions?! :) I try to eat really healthy, but I think after this one I definitely will stock up on some convenience foods so I can rest for a few days at least. Better than fast food eh?!
Great article! I especially like the idea of calling one family member and having them call others. Supportive or not, it's exhausting making all of those phone calls and having to be excited each time! We found that out just when we called everyone to tell them we're pregnant!