Pregnancy Journal: My Birthing Kit

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I’m almost 35 weeks now!  And it’s getting closer and closer to time!  I had a dream last weekend that I was 34 weeks (I was) and that I had to wait at least three weeks to meet my baby…and that I didn’t know how I was going to stand waiting to find out whether I’m having a boy or a girl and “who” this baby is!  I’m excited to have had that dream, because I know that it means I am finally getting really excited about this.

It’s been hard to sleep the last couple of weeks.  By the time I go to bed, I’m usually overtired, yet restless.  I have a hard time actually relaxing enough to completely fall asleep.  Drinking some hot rooibos tea seems to help.  I’m trying to get outside a bit more in the sun and walk around when I can (not always so easy these days as I get tired quickly) and hoping that helps, too.  I am still checking the garden almost daily and weeding it myself!

Buying the remaining supplies I need/want for my birth kit has become a big deal too.  Here are the things that I plan to have on hand:

• 15 large disposable ‘underpads’ (for all the mess of birth!)
• 15 small disposable ‘underpads’
• 1 bulb syringe
• 2 newborn hats
• 4×4 gauze sponges (I have a bunch from last time)
• 2 peri bottles (one for after, filled with water; one filled with oil for perineal massage during birth)
• 2 large black trash bags (one for laundry, one for trash)
• 2 large ziploc bags (I believe one is for the placenta; not sure about the other)
• 2 large diameter bowls (one for the placenta, one in case I get sick)
• 1 crockpot (for wash cloths for perineal compresses)
• 4 wash cloths, sterile
• 4 towels, sterile
• 4 baby blankets, sterile
• Additional towels/baby blankets (not sterile)
• Straws (to drink; I plan to get some of the large fast-food ones.  I’ll have to ask someone who goes there to bring me some, unless I buy some glass ones before then!)
• White cranberry juice
• Frozen fruit (blueberries or grapes, for during labor)
• Pregnancy tea strong infusion
• Music playlist (I’ll be choosing classical selections, no vocals, that have positive memories for me)
• Essential oil blends for massage
• Birthing ball
• Aquaborn birthing pool
• 1 small bottle arnica massage oil

The ‘sterile’ stuff will be accomplished by packing stuff into individual paper bags, sealing them, labeling them, and baking them in the oven for a few hours.

I had intended to buy the Birth Pool in a Box Mini, but I really wanted to order my birthing supplies from the same company I did last time, and they don’t carry it.  The company is In His Hands, and is a Christian natural birthing and health company, and I wanted to support them.  They offer the Aquaborn for about the same price as most places sell the mini (which is harder to find than you’d think) and they even sell it with a liner!  Okay, sold. 

The arnica massage oil is for post-birth.  Last time, the way Daniel was positioned, my left hip was so sore after birth, I pulled or strained muscles.  It remained sore for months.  I’m buying the arnica massage oil this time because, believe me, if it happens again, someone is going to help me with that pain as soon as possible!  And as often as needed!  Daniel was positioned “ROA,” or with his back along my right side.  This baby is often positioned “LOA,” or with his/her back along my left side, so it could easily happen again.

I’ve talked to a couple friends who will be ‘on call’ in case I need someone to come watch my kids for awhile when I’m in labor.  As soon as we’re sure “this is it,” we will call my parents to watch them, but just in case we don’t realize it until the birth is close or if things go really fast, we wanted someone local who could keep an eye on them.

Plans are slowly falling into place!  I’ve gotten out the bassinet and the baby swing now and I’m teaching my kids the rules about those.  I still need to sew my birthing gowns, but now that I have my camera I’ll try to post some pictures as I do so, in case anyone’s interested in doing this too.  I don’t use a pattern so I’ll even include general directions on how to make it work!

I also had another midwives’ appointment this week.  Next up is my home visit, in just 10 days!  I can’t believe it’s almost here.  After that I will be going weekly.

Everything was normal this week, looking good.  We finalized most of my birth plan (though I’ll be writing down some extra things I want and ‘comfort measures’ before my home visit for everyone to review).  We also made a back-up birth plan, in case of transfer.  Hoping it doesn’t happen, but we’re prepared if it does!  I mentioned that if we already lived on a farm in the middle of nowhere (i.e. no neighbors who could easily peak over our fence!), I’d be inclined to birth outside, if the weather cooperated!  Unfortunately not really an option here, but I’ll have the windows open.

That’s where we are now!  I’m using the energy I have to get as much done as possible now!