Planning a home, water birth... help me prepare!

[Erised]

I've got less than 2 months left until my due date, a holiday planned for this week and somehow returning to England at 33 weeks pregnant sounds sooo much closer than I am now.

I'm sure my midwife will take me through it all closer to the time, but I'd like to have a list ready of things to buy to prepare and get ready.

At the moment, all I have is the 'normal' stuff that is required for after any birth. I've got:

• Maternity Pads
• Breast Pads
• TENS Machine
• Birthing Ball

The midwife will supply me with a birthing pool, not sure whether it will be when I go into labour or before.

My to get list at the moment is as follows:

• New TENS sticky pads
• Clean Bucket for Water Top Ups
• Shower Curtain
• Cheap Sheets

Those who have gone through a home and / or water birth before, did you actually need the shower curtain or sheets? Anything else you would recommend for either during or after labour?

 

[Lois22]

Didn't need any shower curtains even though we did get them. Just used a towel for myself and baby when born. The midwifes brought everything and left no mess.

I only used the waterproof bed sheet.

Xx

 

[lozzy21]

Some of those maternity bed sheets, they were fab after my waters went.

 

[elohcin]

I have had mine in the bathroom each time, one "on land" and one in the bathtub, so clean-up was minimal (and pretty much non-existent the last time). We had plastic under some big towels on the floor the previous time, and just had to wash the towels (don't know if I would have even considered the plastic necessary).

One thing I'd have on had, not "mess" related though, is coconut water for rehydration (great for you for so many reasons). And Rescue Remedy that you can drink in water to help calm you if you get worked up at all. Lots of people recommend honey sticks, too, for a little energy boost.