Essential Tips Every Expecting Mom Must Know Before Giving Birth

When it comes to crafting your birthing plan, the choices can feel overwhelming. You find yourself weighing whether to deliver in a bustling hospital, a midwife-led unit with a more relaxed atmosphere, or even consider the intimate setting of your own home. The potential for a home birth can seem like a distant fantasy for some new mothers, while others may entertain the idea, only to be met with a flurry of practical concerns.

To peel back the layers of uncertainty, we spoke to three mothers who have navigated the world of home births. Their insights might just provide the reassurance and clarity you need as you explore this unique option for welcoming your little one.

One practical tip they all agree on is to inflate the birthing pool well before labor kicks in. If you’re planning on a water birth at home, you can either purchase or rent a birthing pool, but timing is essential. Jessica Ord, a seasoned doula specializing in home births, explained, “Home births often progress more quickly than hospital births due to increased levels of happy hormones! This means that many women find themselves needing the pool sooner than they anticipated.” Having the pool ready ahead of time can save you from scrambling in the last moments leading up to labor.

And if you’re worried about mess—get this: it’s not as chaotic as you might fear. Jessica also reassured us, “After a home birth, I can usually restore everything to its pre-labor state in about 20 minutes!” Jo Smedley, who brings a light-hearted approach as the Chief Candlestick Wielder at Red Herring Games, put it simply: “Sure, there might be a laundry pile, but it’s not nearly as messy as you might expect. After my home birth, we washed all the towels, and guess what? We’re still using those towels two decades later. It’s all part of the experience!”

Preparation is another crucial piece of the puzzle. Jo offers a top tip for getting your delivery bed just right: “Layer it with a bottom sheet, a waterproof sheet, absorbent towels, and a top sheet. Then, after you give birth, all you need to do is roll everything up in the waterproof sheet—so you can get right back into bed on a clean bottom sheet.” Stephanie Buckley, a home birth veteran with three experiences under her belt, echoed the importance of preparation. She said, “Reading up, planning for different scenarios, talking it out, and seeking advice can build confidence in your decisions.” Stephanie found that her trust in her body played a major role: “I felt secure knowing I was close to a hospital, but also prepared and calm in my home environment.”

You might also want to stock up on towels—lots of them. Jessica shared her insight that “If you’re using the pool, you’ll go through towels quickly getting in and out, so it’s crucial to have a fresh supply handy. Twenty large towels and four smaller ones for the baby should do.” Ever the pragmatist, she even suggested, “If you end up with more than you need, you can always donate the clean towels to animal shelters later on.”

And if you’re anxious about the timing of when to call your midwife, take a deep breath. Just like heading to the hospital, Doula Jessica reassured us that if it’s too early for your midwife to be there, they will simply leave and return when labor is truly underway. It’s all part of the journey.

Confidence is everything. Stephanie chose a home birth because she had absolute faith in her body’s capabilities. “Millions of women have given birth before me,” she said with certainty. “Everything I learned about home births and creating a calm environment for both mother and baby showed me that home was the best place for me.” Jo echoed this sentiment with her own story: “Growing up on a farm, childbirth felt like a natural process. My mother had two of her six children at home, and she told me it was straightforward. Hospitals scare me a bit, and I didn’t feel fearful about giving birth at home.”

Of course, as alluring as a home birth may sound, there are vital considerations to keep in mind. Jessica pointed out an important fact: midwives possess significant experience, but “they cannot provide a surgical theater or an epidural at a home birth.”

If you’re seriously considering a home birth, your best next step is to have an open discussion with your midwife and healthcare consultant. They can help assess whether this option aligns with your health needs and overall birth plan. Knowing the right people are part of your support system can make a world of difference in how you prepare for, and ultimately embrace, the miraculous journey of bringing your baby into the world.