Final Preparations for Baby and The Home Birth Supply List

We are making headway on the final preparations for baby # 2's arrival. It's a good thing too, since technically, he could be here any day (although I'm not planning on him arriving for a few more weeks!) We've stocked up the pantry, fridge, and freezer, as well as our cleaning supply closet and things like toilet paper:

Dmitri loves to play with the cereal boxes in the pantry.

And we've been cleaning like crazy. Although, it seems that we have a little elf who likes to undo our cleaning as we go. We've had to re-arrange some furniture to prepare for the baby's arrival. We moved our queen size bed into Dmitri's room, and then changed our minds and moved it back into the guest room, which is serving as the "birth room." We will also be setting up a labor/birth pool in there.

Having a home birth requires a bit more preparation than merely pre-registering at the hospital and getting there once labor is underway. It can be a little overwhelming, but it's also a lot of fun to be more involved and prepare for the birth. Luckily, my midwife made it easy for me by giving me a very detailed list of supplies that I need to assemble before my home visit (which is this week!) Here is what that list looks like, just in case you are curious!

Supplies:

-A pre-assembled birth kit from Everythingbirth.com (this has a lot of the medical supplies in it)

For Mom & Baby:
-2 Sets of clean sheets
-8 bath towels
-Clean night gown
-Bathrobe
-Socks for mom
-Baby's 1st oufit
-Newborn diapers
-Receiving blankets

Supplies:
-Two roles of paper towels
-1 box of 13 gal. trashbags
-4 -30 gal. trashbags
-3 painters drop cloths
-2 lg. bowls
-1 flashlight
-Overnight pads
-Lysol Wipes
-Toilet paper
-1 lg. bottle of Floradix Iron Plus Herbs
-small bottle of Olive Oil
-1 package baby wipes
-1 bottle of rubbing alcohol
-Ample heat in birth room
-Car with gas tank at least 1/2 full

Food and Drink
-Light food: yogurt, eggs, toast, frozen grapes, broth, honey, etc.
-2 qt. clear juice
-Quick meals/snacks, coffee, and half/half
-Emergen-C Packs

Ice Options:
-Lots of ice cubes and cold packs
-Ziplocs with crushed ice or gel packs (I made my own "gel packs" by filling freezer bags with water and a little alcohol)

Water birth:
-Pool/tub
-Inflation pump
-Floating thermometer
-Hose
-Sink adapter
-Large pots for heating water
-Small fishnet
-Pool liner

I almost have everything together; I just need to pick up a few more things! = ) It's hard to believe it's almost here; this pregnancy has gone by so quickly. I think being due in the middle of a school semester plus having an active toddler has had a big influence on that. Life isn't slowing down at all for this baby. I'm just hoping that he'll hang in there until after midterms, and then it should be coasting from there.

Of course, there is always an infinite list of things that I would "like" to accomplish before the baby arrives. But I'm having to let go, de-stress, and view any extras as icing on the cake; because really, the baby doesn't care if there are curtains hanging in every room. (There is a hint as to what projects are coming up!)