Good luck hun.  I look forward to hearing your birth story.

i had the gas and air from 37wks with both my hb's and no one mentioned ths. We did store it in the outhouse but they didn't know that. Good luck for your hb.

Aw thank you everybody that's really helpful and all of a sudden made it all seem very real   I'm going to ask again about the gas and air insurance thing as I have a wee boy in the house too.

I'm starting to get excited now and hope everything goes well, I was started with my ds so never really experienced 'normal' labour - fingers crossed i can manage the pain - however many people have told me it's a case of mind over matter and it helps to focus when you are in your own surroundings.

Thank you again everyone and hopefully I'll be able to share my story soon.

Julie xxx 

If you have a child living at your home then the MW are not allowed to bring G&A in advance for health and safety reasons.

As for the insurance thing, i had to call my home insurance to let them know but only if i had to store it in advance as its a fire risk.

In all other cases the MW/Hospital insurance will cover any accidents/explosions!

You don't really need much for a HB. FOr my first one i had loads of stuff and none of it got used...appart from towels!!!

For the other 3 times i just had lots of towels, a big plastic sheet to go under the towels and lots of tea/coffee and biscuits for the MWs!!!!

My MW advised to pack a bag like you would for hospital so that all your fresh nighties/baby bits are accessible and also if you've already packed and need to transfer then you have everything sorted already!

I looked into a birthpool for my first 2 homebirths but wouldn't have been covered on my home insurance (upstairs flat) and couldnt live with myself if something went wrong and the people downstairs got flooded!!!

I found that my bath was lovely and relaxing as i always had the urge to be on dry land to deliver!!!

GOod luck and can't wait to hear your HB story!!

Hey, I'm also due in just under 5 weeks now ... I'm ordering La Bassigne pool when my grant comes through on the 5th! I looked into birthpoolinabox but I found it too expensive, tbh.

The whole storing G&A and needing home insurance is news to me - I thought the MWs just brought it to you as and when you needed it xXx

hi there check with mw on the home insurance i didnt need it cos i didnt store the gas and air mw brought it when went into labour i found with my homebirth u can never have enough towels so get plenty good luck with it xx

Hi hun I had my HB 9 1/2 weeks ago.  Not sure about the home insurance thing.  I didn't check TBH.

Things I had for the birth.were:

6 old towels

an old duvet covered by a tarpaulin, with an old blanket on top to kneel/lie on

a cheap shower curtain to cover the sofa

TENS machine

a washing up bowl (as you may be sickl)

birth ball (useful for sitting on or leaning on when kneeling)

torch (for stitches)

bendy straws for my drink

drinks, snacks, sandwich stuff for you and midwives

lip balm, spray mist, hair bobbles, socks, t-shirt and maternity towels for me

clothes, hat and nappy for baby

hospital bag packed just in case

As pp said if you're having a water birth you will need extra towels and tarpaulin.

HTH and good luck!  I look forward to reading your birth story.

Luv Rachel

Hi Julie,

Congrats! I had ds2 at home 12 weeks ago & it was the best choice I ever made, you won't regret it! I used the birthpool in a box because I had an independent mw & I hired theirs & just bought a new liner for it, I found it really good, very comfy & sturdy! I had no idea about the gas & air thing! My mw's being independent brought it with them so I didn't have to store it but they never said anything about needing insurance to use it Not that it mattered because I didn't use any pain relief, just the water!

If you are having a water birth make sure you have lots of towels & plastic sheeting (if it doesn't come with the pool you get) lots of people use shower curtains & old bed sheets to put over the sheets so it's cosier! Then all you really need is anything you think will make it more comfy for you, candles or music that sort of thing!

Hope this helps, if I've forgotten something I'm sure one of the other ladies will help you out!

Holly & Riley (12 weeks 1 day) xxx

Hi I'm hoping to have a hb with my second baby and due in 5 weeks.  I was just wondering a couple of things and looking for your expert help girlies..

Is it true that I need home insurance to cover the use/storage of gas and air - if so how do you go about doing that?

Also any ideas on a good birthing pool - I've seen one called La Bassigne and it looks quite good - any help in this area would be appreciated.

Another thing, any suggestions for practical things I may need for the birth?

I need to start organising things now as my baby was breech for a while but now turned - woohoo!

Hopefully someone can help.

Julie xxx