Homebirth Newbie! Any sage advice?

Question

I am not due until late Sept and this will be my 3rd child but 1st Homebirth (waterbirth).
My other children will be 6.5 and 2y3m when this little bean is born.
Any sage advice? Tips? Things you wish you knew beforehand?
Also, definitely having my oldest present but what about my (then) 2 year old? My fear is she will be crying and tantruming and wanting me while I labor.

Answer

I’ll be having my kids with family as when I labour I do not like others around at all. Plus I’m loud lol they would not like that. I had my prep container at the end of our bed in a basket it had a shower curtain, puppy pee pads, towels, cloths, olive oil. I had in a small mesh bag (in sure a travel bag works to) for things for after birth like meds, mesh undies, pads, pea in a pod bottom spray). I also have a go bag for the kids for if they need to spend the night at someone’s house filled with two days of clothes, snacks, a few favourite books or toys. 
I also had some chocolate and snacks stashed away for the midwives and my doula in the kitchen as something special for them.

Answer

My son will be 2 (25 mo) around the month I’m due. I’m due in October and I really want my son to be there! But I have my reservations as well.

Answer

Way to go, home birth is awesome. I went back and forth about having my 6 year old there for our home birth but decided against it- for me, I didn’t want to be parenting while laboring and my partner wanted to be fully present and able to enjoy the experience. I think all kids/moms are different though- I know my older daughter wouldn’t have done well with our attention divided. As for home birth supplies, I kept everything in the pack and play so the birth team knew where to go when something was needed. I thought I had an excessive amount of chux pads but we ran out, so have a lot of those on hand. Have fun with set up! I created a little birthday party in the kitchen with decorations and cute drinks and snacks and disposable dishes for the birth team. Don’t underestimate how messy it gets- invite a good friend to help the birth team with cleanup so you and your family can relax together afterwards. Good luck!

Homebirth Newbie! Any sage advice?

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