Planning for a home birth is an exciting and empowering experience that requires a bit of preparation. In this post, we explore the practical considerations and mental preparation needed to feel calm and confident as the birth approaches.
First Things First: Let's Talk Logistics
The Birthing Space:
Choose a quiet, comfortable spot in your home where you'll feel relaxed and at ease. Whether it's your bedroom or the living room, you might want to consider how close you'll be to a bathroom, and also to a water source if you choose to have a pool. Make sure it's big enough for you to mobilise and stay active, and to accommodate your birthing team in a way that they can be with you to support you while giving you plenty of space and 'privacy'.
Of course birthing at home means that you can roam around the entire house and garden (if you've got one), but one of the rooms should receive that little bit more attention as you might find that as you move into the most established phases of the birthing process, you want to withdraw to a specific space. Maybe you'll want to have a pool in there for example.
I encourage you to set-up this space as if you were planning a 'date night'. Think low lights, maybe candles, fairy lights, soft textures and comfortable furniture for when you want to rest.
Stock Up on Essentials:
Clean towels: 4-6 medium/large bath towels.
Bed linen: plan on them being stained so consider using old sheets or get some second-hand ones. Consider getting spare flat sheets to drape over the plastic drop sheets if you choose to also cover your sofa or rugs.
Plastic drop sheets: you can use those to protect your mattress, rugs, sofa. Place bed sheets on top to make it more comfortable to lie on.
Disposable waterproof bed pads.
Large bowl: this can be used with cold/ warm flannels as a lovely soothing comfort measure, but also to catch the placenta after baby is born.
Portable light/ flash light: this can come handy to you and your birth team if you crave darkness during labour. Your midwives should bring one too.
Warm and light blankets and pillows
Snacks!
Optional Bits to Add to Your Home Birth Kit
Essential oil diffuser / essential oil roller / pillow spray
Candles / fairy lights
Small speakers to listen to your birth music playlist in whichever room you're in.
Birth ball
Birth sling
Rebozo or large woven scarf
Hot water bottle
Flannels
Lip balm
Head bands
Bathrobe
The Birth Pool:
If you wish to have a water birth, you may want to buy or hire a birth pool. Birth pool have the benefit of being larger (so you can mobilise in it) and more comfortable than a standard bath tub.
Extra things to consider if you're planning to use a birth pool:
Get a brand new disposable pool liner if not included with the one you've hired or bought. Beyond the obvious sanitary reason if you're using a second-hand or hired pool, the liner will make the cleaning up much easier.
Check the hose connection fitting. Make sure that the one provided with the pool fits the tap you'll want to use. You might need to purchase a hose adapter if not.
Thermometer: The birth pool water should be kept between 32 and 37 degrees Celsius.
Sieve: get a cheap sieve to scoop out bits from the water during and after the birth.
Now, Let's Explore the Emotional and Mental Preparation.
Home Births Empowerment: The Benefits of Hypnobirthing
For expectant parents who want a home birth, hypnobirthing, as a birth preparation method, can offer several benefits:
Mindset Matters: A big part of preparing for birth, whether this is your first or fourth, is the acceptation to surrender to its wild and unpredictable nature. Growing a positive and confident mindset means that you can look forward to the birth with anticipation instead of worry and fear. Hypnobirthing emphasises the body's natural ability to give birth and encourages mothers to trust in their innate birthing instincts. This mindset aligns well with the philosophy of home birth, where the focus is often on allowing the birth process to unfold naturally.
Reduced Anxiety: Hypnobirthing teaches relaxation techniques that helps mamas feel more calm and confident about giving birth. Studies show that hypnobirthing can help with a smoother and more comfortable birth experience.
Pain Management: Deep breathing, visualisations, and other alternative comfort measures provided in hypnobirthing programmes, can help manage discomfort during labour without the need for pharmaceutical interventions. This can be particularly beneficial during a home birth where medical pain relief options are limited.
Empowerment and Control: Hypnobirthing empowers expectant parents to take an active role in their birth experience. By learning self-hypnosis techniques and coping strategies, mothers can feel more in control of their bodies and the birthing process, which can be especially important in the context of a home birth.
Support for Partner Involvement: Hypnobirthing also involves partners in the birthing process, teaching them how to provide effective support and encouragement. This can strengthen the bond between partners and enhance the overall birthing experience, making it a more intimate and meaningful event for both.
Communicating Your Wishes: The Importance of a Birth Plan.
Whether it's your partner, midwife, or doula, make sure everyone is on the same page regarding your birth preferences. Clear communication can alleviate stress and ensure everyone is working to support you with what matters the most to you.
Although I encourage you to focus on your ideal birth experience and prepare for it with confidence and self-belief, your baby might have other plans... Have a backup plan in place, whether it's a transfer to access stronger pain relief or because an intervention is needed, you'll want to share your preferences in these circumstances.
Curate your Perfect Support System.
Surround yourself with a tribe of people who are ready to support you with your birth choices for the rest of your pregnancy. You'll also want to take time to think about those you'll want by you for the birth.
Having a skilled doula by your side might also be an option worth exploring. Doulas can bring a wealth of home birth experience, and can provide invaluable support during labour and birth for both mama and the birth partner(s).
What Else?
Here are a couple more bits to consider:
Birth Playlist: Curate a couple of birth playlists to help you feeling energised or to relax at various stages of your journey.
Food: Make sure your fridge and cupboards are stocked up with yummy and nourishing treats to fuel you during the birth and in the days that follow. A good thing to do at the end of pregnancy is to batch cook some healthy meals and freeze them ready for the early postpartum days.
For more information about my hypnobirthing and birth preparation classes in Bristol or online, feel free to browse my website or get in touch if you have any questions.