Time keeps on tickin’ tickin’…into the future
NS July 16th, 2008
Only nine and some change weeks until my due date. That means I could go into labour as soon as seven weeks. I know that in theory that’s still bags of time but I just suddenly have this slightly-panicky ‘must get everything done now’ feeling. So I’m making exhaustive lists and coming up with budgets and doing trips up to the loft and eying up all available storage space. Surprisingly, I’m not stressed about it at all though. In fact, I quite like getting everything organised and it’s nice to have something to occupy my time besides toddler-wrangling and article-writing and wishing that I owned a crane to turn me over in bed in the middle of the night.
And now that the cat’s out of the bag — that I’m having this baby at home — I can relax about it a bit more. I didn’t purposely not tell anyone, it’s just that no one really asked. The assumption that I’d go into hospital like I did last time has just hung there in the air and I did nothing to dispel it. But now that my parents know and seem relatively ‘okay’ with it (not that I need their permission or approval) and the planning stage is ramping up, I don’t care who knows. It’s not my dirty little secret, it’s my secret joy and I’m extremely excited about it. So any naysayers can check their negativity at the door ’cause nothing is going to bring me down from my homebirthin’ cloud.
Though I will say, many of the things I need to gather for the birth are proving somewhat amusing. Some of the things on my list include old shower curtains, a crock pot, a flashlight, a large resealable bag, olive oil and a bucket. It sounds more like I’m hosting one of those strange Japanese game shows where they humiliate the contestants and pour goopy stuff on them than having a baby! I can’t wait to see The Noble Husband’s face when he sees the final supplies all stacked in a corner. I have a feeling some jokes about a cave and a stick to bite on might surface.
My biggest challenge right now, however, has nothing to do with preparing for the birth, it’s trying to decide on cloth nappies. I never knew there were so many kinds, types and brands. All-in-ones, prefolds, inserts, wraps, fleece liners, disposable liners, boosters, soakers, pockets, poppers, clippers…the terminology and accessories are endless! I need to choose ones that are easy to use (so that there’s at least a glimmer of hope for getting TNH to use them), don’t leak, aren’t too bulky and are relatively inexpensive and cute. Oh, and that are quick to dry on the line. Can’t I just hire a magical nappy fairy to come make all the purchasing decisions, wipe the kid’s ass and take all of the mess away before I’ve even had a chance to sniff the air and wrinkle my nose? Because that would be fabulous.
My last inane pregnancy-related tidbit is that TNH thinks I am a bit strange for so thoroughly enjoying balancing things on my bump. Mugs of tea, books, bowls of ice cream…anything that needs to be closer to my face sits on the bump. It’s like having a built-in coffee table! One that spontaneously jumps and sometimes knocks things off of the previously level surface. It’s not perfect but it’s useful and it amuses me so that’s all that matters. It’s the little things these days.
- The Noble Fetus
- Comments(17)
Oooh a homebirth! A midwife attending a homebirth in NC can lose her license, and many OBs will refuse to provide prenatal care to a woman who is planning a homebirth. The women end up having to be all secretive about it. That attitude alone makes me want a homebirth (for my hypothetical next child), because it just smacks of overmedicalized hospital birthing experience, doesn’t it? But that’s a rant for some other day.
We’ve used cloth nappies with DD – not exclusively, but we’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of ours. She’s just recently outgrown our stash, actually, and I’ve tried a few different things and am currently awaiting an order of plain ol’ prefolds (which I’ve never used, so keep your fingers crossed!). Let me know if you want to chat about nappies.
And because I’ve realized I probably wasn’t clear – I wish you a fabulous homebirth and can’t wait to hear how it goes for you.
Krista! Woman, I thought you’d fallen off the face of the earth. Good to hear from you.
Would love to know more about nappies, will email you v. v. soon.
i don’t need to tell you that homebirthing and cloth nappies give me the willies just a bit, but i’m glad that you’re sticking with the route that is right for you. i can’t wait to see my new little niece or nephew! not too long now!
Congrats on deciding a home birth! Hope your midwife and GP are good about it- are you going private?
I’m really really happy for you, A. Best of luck with the homebirth and sorting out cloth nappies and just everything that comes with getting ready for a baby, it is so much fun!
Yay, congratulations on your planned homebirth!
And may I recommend prefolds for a cloth diaper? IMO, it matches all your criteria…
Easy to use: definitely. There’s a fold or two to do, but unlike a flat diaper, there’s less folding because it’s sewn in layers. not as “user friendly” as a fitted with, say snaps… but i actually find the snaps annoying, especially as they get more crawly and you just want to get it on quickly and not have to fuss with a bunch of snaps. and as for velcro, that gets worn down real quick in the wash and they tend not to stick for very long imo.
don’t leak: Never had a problem and none of my friends have. They hold in newborn blowouts really well. It also depends somewhat on the cover, but i’ve used a variety of them and still haven’t had problems.
aren’t too bulky: any cloth diaper is going to be a bit bulkier than disposables, but my prefolds are less bulky than some of my fitteds without compromising “absorbability”. and you have some versatility if you want, with two or three different ways to fold, for different circumstances… like if you want it more trim, or you want more absorbability in the pee area for night perhaps. yet its not overwhelming like a flat, which u can fold a million ways.
and are relatively inexpensive and cute: this is the best part, imo. while flats are probably the cheapest, and fitteds are most expensive, these are a happy middle ground imo. you can get a dozen for the price of one fitted… and with some fitteds you have to buy them in several sizes, whereas prefolds usually come in two sizes only. even the fitteds that come in only two sizes, i find are really bulky on newborns compared to prefolds.
as for the cuteness factor, i do find them very cute accessorized with a nice cover. imo, its the cover that determines how cute it us, since you dont see the diaper underneath anyway. and my favourite covers are motherease airflows and bummis polar fleece.
anyway, good luck! (sorry about lack of caps, nak!)
Chloe
Oh and i forgot to mention… prefolds dry much more quickly and nicely than the fitteds, especially on the line because there is not all that bulk, just a flat panel.
I’m only 18 weeks and already loving my belly for it’s book resting capacity…it’s just the right height when I’m slumped on the couch!
I loved resting things on my belly too. Even when things did often get kicked right off. It is fun and convenient. Enjoy it and hope all goes well with the home birth — I am definitely looking forward to hearing about it.
I enjoy all in one diapers, such as Fuzzi Bunz. Most people end up using Kissaluvs (well, over here anyway) for newborns and then switching to their desired brand.
I find that FB are just a bit slimmer and easier to use than the diapers that need both a diaper AND a cover!
Yay for homebirth!
andrea — I guess this means you definitely won’t be doing any diaper changes for me when you visit now, eh?
Erin — No, I’m not going private because it’s just too pricey for me. My NHS midwives have been great so far though, they specifically do home births so they’re very knowledgeable on how it all works and are very laid back.
Chloe — Thanks for all the diaper tips, I will keep them in mind as I make my decision.
Chips — Belly tables are great, aren’t they? I’ll quite miss mine when it’s gone. Congrats on your pregnancy!
Zoesmom — Thanks.
I hope all goes well with the home birth.
As for the table bump, when my mom was pregnant with my brother, our cat at the time loved to sleep on top of her bump. It was quite comical.
i need to know exactly (if you are sharing) what all these supplies will be used for? i’m confused on the crock pot and olive oil….are you going to use them to make a nice stew to coax the baby out? all joking aside, i wish you a smooth, problem free remainder of your pregnancy and i can’t wait to meet the little guy or girl.
Simple Family — I have heard good things about Fuzzi Bunz, will have to check them out.
Tabitha — My cat too seems to enjoy lying on the bump. I have to say I don’t enjoy it so much though because then the baby kicks the cat and her claws prick out. Ouch! As if I need claw marks on my belly in addition to the stretch marks.
Gary — You asked so I shall tell. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
The shower curtains are to put down over the mattress and/or sofa in case I decide to give birth there, though hopefully I’ll be in the birthing pool when that happens. The crockpot is to keep some water hot to dip washcloths in and put on my back during contractions. The flashlight is for the midwife to see what’s going on if I’m in the pool. The large resealable bag is to put the placenta in. Olive oil is to help ease delivery of the head if I’m not in the pool. The bucket is in case I throw up, which many women do towards the end. Hopefully I will not need this but probably best to have it on hand. I’d hate to blow chunks in my nice little pool.
So there you have it, all the gory details. I’m sure you’re feeling enlightened now.
You are so lucky to have the choice of whether to birth at home or in the hospital. I’m glad (and a little jealous) you’ve made the right choice for you and hope all goes well for you.
Hey! that’s cool on the home birth.
We used cloth naps for number one child, travelling with number two meant not an option..although they would’ve dried nice & quickly in Bali, Oz & South America!!
Gimme a call & we can chat nappies.
Hey!
Just wanted to say I’m so glad to hear about the Home Birth. You had alluded it to in in the past and I have been meaning to ask you about it! I can’t wait to hear about it!
SO exciting!