For many women experiencing a normal, low risk pregnancy, the idea of giving birth anywhere else but their own home is too medical. After all, several studies concerning out-of-hospital births have shown that having your baby at home supervised by a trained birth attendant results in fewer interventions, infections, deaths and injuries compared to hospital deliveries. These women favor the idea of being in the safety of their own home surrounded by their own belongings. They don’t have to fear the threat of foreign germs, and they tend to have a very personal relationship with their birth attendants. They don’t have to concern themselves with nurse shift changes, janitors emptying the wastebasket, and doctors that can’t stay with them for any extended length of time. After baby is born, they can settle into their own bed for a well deserved nap and enjoy their new family.
Sound like heaven to you? In the opinion of this home birthing mom, it is absolutely wonderful. And for thousands of other women who have chosen the homebirth option, it’s the only place to birth.
Just like packing your bag for the hospital, however, planning a homebirth does include a fair amount of preparations. When making the home birth decision, you and your partner must first trust your body and the birthing process. Reinforce this by reading and exploring the studies concerning the safety of out-of-hospital birth. You both should also read and research the capability of a trained, experienced midwife. Interview local midwives and discuss any concerns or questions the two of you may have. All of these steps are important factors in making a fully informed decision.
When you’ve made the homebirth decision, the first and most important thing is to find a midwife that fits with your personality and belief system and is someone you can confide in and talk with easily. You need to be able to trust her judgment and relax in her presence, and she needs to be someone with whom your spouse or partner is comfortable.
After you locate a midwife, you’ll begin or continue your prenatal care and nutritional evaluations for the duration of your pregnancy with your midwife. Around 36 weeks, your midwife may supply a short list of items you’ll need to have on hand for your birth. These items may include blue pads, a vinyl mattress cover, white towels and wash cloths, a pack of super absorbent maxi pads, and iodine. If you want a pool for labor or to possibly birth in, you should have it on hand and ready to be set up by your 37th week.
After the items for the birth have been purchased and reviewed with your midwife, finalize everything with anyone else who may be attending the birth. Discuss these people with your midwife and, if possible, try to have them meet your midwife before the birth. Make sure you are comfortable with those who are attending and that they fully support your decision to have your baby at home. To avoid commotion, give everyone a specific job. If you have other children, you’ll want a familiar person to care for them. You may have someone else running the video camera or taking pictures. Be sure everyone fully understands their responsibilities. Be careful. You don’t want too many “passengers” present at your birth. You won’t have the time or energy to entertain. A great time filler for the camera person when not snapping photos is to make the snacks. Or have the children’s caregiver help them make a special “happy birthday” cake for their new brother or sister.
The final preparation is to have easy-to-prepare foods like soups, pizzas, pierogies, or sandwiches available for the first few days after you deliver. Snack foods like fruits, cookies, and crackers are great for munching on during and after labor—for everyone. Just remember to keep it simple. Birth is an exciting and fun time, but you don’t need to feel obligated to provide all the goodies seen at a super bowl party or last holiday meal!
You should try to have everything ready, reviewed, and reinforced by your 39th week. At that time, sit back and enjoy what’s left of your pregnancy and finish the last few details in the nursery. It won’t be long before the bassinet will be full and you’ll have to share your little angel with everyone.