Mom Monday: Homebirth (Part One: Lists!)

The following is a guest post by my friend Holly from A Mommy's Blessings. Holly recently successfully gave birth to a sweet baby boy at home after having two c-sections.

When Janeen asked me guest post a 'Mom Monday' on getting ready for a homebirth, I gladly agreed. Then after awhile when I started thinking about what to say, I was worried about getting in over my head!

I honestly don't know a cut and dry explanation to that! But I will do my best to show you how I gear up for the greatest miracle God can give us.
Birth.

A homebirth to be exact.

My 6th baby that was due in March was born at home, just like two of his other siblings were.

When I find out I am expecting, what's the first thing I do?

Lists, lists, lists!

I make a giant list of everything I want done before the baby and after. I then write out every month from then to the due date, and even beyond. Under each month's heading, I map out and divide all my list into a small amount of tasks each month. This helps make that monsterous amount of to-do's accomplishable.

For example...want to clean the windows, scrub the baseboard, and wipe off the tops of the fans? Divide them out into 3 separate months. I list everything I can think of that needs done, and am constantly adding to it. All the way from change the furnace filter and get a haircut, to change the toothbrushes in the last month.

As things get done each month, I cross them off, then eventually delete that month when all is finished. I don't fret if something gets bumped to the next month, or if I have extra energy, can do one of next months tasks! This master plan is just to ensure I don't forget anything I want done...That way I'm not in the middle of birthing the baby when I remember I forgot to pull out the baby's carseat or put batteries in the bouncy!

I also go a month beyond the birth, listing out things like applying for his birth certificate and social security number, adding his name to our family frame, mailing out birth announcements, etc. With lack of sleep to come, I need everything spelled out for me.

At the bottom of the master to-do list, I jot down everything last minute that needs done also, for when I go into labor. Things like making sure the bills are all paid, quick clean the house, shower and shave, make sure the children's nails are cut, make laboraid, etc. Everything that is little and mundane that won't be thought of or completed while in the throes of contractions or done for awhile with a newborn in the house!

Trust me, this makes life so much easier.

You can come back next week for part two of the homebirth story! Do any of you mamas (or grandmamas) have an encouraging thought or post to share with us about Motherhood? It doesn't have to be about homebirth. I decided that may be a little hard for everyone to stay on a theme. But we'd love to hear your thoughts and if you have had homebirths, we'd love to hear about it!

Leave a comment below or link up your encouraging Mom Monday post in the linky below to be entered for this week's great giveaway! By the way, if you're new, we do a giveaway with every Mom Monday post, so come back each Monday for a new post to join in on and a new giveaway to win!



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Come back next Monday and I'll have the new Mom Monday post up and announce the winner. I'll also send the winner an email and you'll have 48 hours to respond. :) Good luck and thanks for joining us in this journey of motherhood!