# Request to use the Lantern for home birth I, Janina, will give birth around Christmas this year (the estimated date is December 26th 2020). It is my wish to not go to the hospital this time and rather give birth at home. I communicated this wish early on, didn't receive resistance, and went on with taking the necessary steps to making it happen. I now have a midwife who is ready to support me and a team of Kanthausians who is happy to help. ## Exact time frame I would like to use the Lantern for **3 weeks starting from the time of giving birth**. ## Modifications on the room If it is okay for people I'd like to do some small rearrangements potentially earlier. But since they are so minor they could also take place just after it's getting clear that things are starting to get going. I'd need people to help with moving things around anyway. The modifications I have in mind are: - putting a stable cloth swing in the hooks on the ceiling for giving birth - putting the ~~bubi~~ mika swing in the hooks on the ceiling after giving birth - removing the table or turning it to the other wall to give space to the swing - removing the avocado plant - putting 1-2 isolation mats on the floor - putting a basket with towels of different sizes in the room - putting a box with other birth related stuff in the room (e.g. trash bags, foil, sheets, bowls, clothes) - putting a sign with emergency information on the inside of the door I think I would put the avocado plant in the piano room. I didn't think about a good place for the table so far, so maybe I'd leave it in after all or only remove it for some hours during birth and then take it back inside. Most of the modifications mentioned above are only relevant for the birth itself anyway. ## Usage of the room during the time specified I would like to leave some stuff in the room, like the milk pump, some extra clothes and possibly other things I am not aware of right now. I would like to always have the possibility to use the room for bubi2 and myself to retreat to and sleep in. However, I would really like people to come by and visit if they feel like it! Depending on how fit I am how quickly I might not spend most of my time in the room and rather come back to piano or dining room. If the room is free I'm happy for people to use it! If I come back though, I would expect prioritized access rights. ## Moving out of the room after the time specified Same as for moving in I will need help from other people. It would be helpful for me if we specify the last day of room usage early on so that I can keep it in mind and start in time to put everything back to how it was before. ## Why the Lantern? The Lantern has several advantages: - It is very well heatable. For the birth we need at least 22°C as newborns are very sensitive to cold. - It is close to the baby bathroom, which makes frequent diaper changes of the newborn less annoying. - It is not so far away from the main communal areas, which makes it easier for me to reach them even with impeded movement. - It is pretty bright even at night, so that I don't need to switch on the light for breastfeeding and the likes.