Insights Every Mother Should Know Before Delivery

For some mothers, the idea of a home birth may never even arise, while others might contemplate it but worry about the practicalities involved.

We spoke to three mothers who have experienced home births to gather their insights and experiences regarding this option.

1. Inflate the pool before labor begins

If you are planning on a water birth at home, you can either purchase or rent a birthing pool.

Jessica Ord, a doula specializing in home births, noted that “home births often progress more quickly than hospital births (due to increased levels of happy hormones!), making it common for women to require the pool sooner than expected.”

2. It’s not as messy as you might think

According to Jessica, she can usually restore a home to its pre-labor state in about 20 minutes.

Jo Smedley, Chief Candlestick Wielder at Red Herring Games, added, “You can decide what to do about the laundry later; it’s not nearly as messy as you might expect. We washed all the towels post-my home birth, and we’re still using them 20 years on.”

3. Being prepared is essential

Jo shares her top tip for preparing for a home birth: “When setting up the bed where you’ll deliver, layer it with a bottom sheet, a waterproof sheet, absorbent towels, and another top sheet.”

She continued, “After giving birth, you can simply roll everything up within the waterproof sheet and get back into bed since the bottom sheet remains clean.”

Stephanie Buckley, who has had three home births, mentioned that each experience has been unique. She emphasized that by reading up, planning for different scenarios, talking, and seeking advice, one can feel more confident in their decisions.

Stephanie noted, “My trust in myself, my baby, and my plan to remain at home was what carried me through. I felt secure knowing I was close to a hospital, but also prepared and calm in my home environment.”

4. Stock up on towels

One common insight from the three mothers was that you should gather more towels than you anticipate needing. Jessica stated, “If you’re using the pool, you’ll go through towels quickly when getting in and out, so it’s crucial to have a fresh and dry supply handy. Twenty large towels and four smaller ones for the baby should suffice.”

Additionally, you can always donate clean towels to animal shelters later if you’re worried about having excess.

5. Don’t stress about when to call the midwife

Just as when going to the hospital for delivery, if it’s too early for your midwife to arrive, Doula Jessica reassured that they will simply leave and return when you’re truly in labor.

6. Have confidence in yourself

Stephanie opted for a home birth because she believed in her body’s capabilities, citing that “millions of women have given birth before.” She reflected, “Everything I learned about home births and the creation of a calm environment for both baby and mother statistically indicated that home was the best choice.”

Jo also expressed that she grew up on a farm, viewing childbirth as a natural process. “My own mother had two out of six of her children at home and said it was very straightforward. I don’t enjoy hospitals and didn’t feel frightened about giving birth, making it the ideal choice for me.”

While there are many advantages to a home birth, Jessica noted that it’s essential to remember that although midwives have significant experience, “the one thing they cannot provide at a home birth is a surgical theatre and epidural.”

If you’re contemplating a home birth, it’s wise to have a discussion with your midwife and consultant to determine if it’s a suitable option for you.