A Guide in Preparing for Home Birth
If you’re here and are on the same journey of preparing your first home birth, I want to first say congratulations! For me personally it felt like a big decision at first, but once my husband and I starting researching and reading, watching and listening to positive home birth stories, along with our hypnobirthing class (HIGHLY recommend doing one regardless of where you plan to birth, we went to Meaghan Amors class the Currumbin Lighthouse) we felt really empowered and confident with our home birthing decision.
We also spoke to an incredible private midwife who answered all our questions and concerns around home birthing - this played a vital piece in making the decision also.
Here is a list of books that really helped us:
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May
Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method by Marie F. Mongan
Childbirth without fear by Grantly Dick-Read
Two websites that have incredible info:
Home prepping - Lets talk getting your home ready!
Birth Box
Making sure everything we need is in the one area (or one basket/box) to help you, your midwife or your birthing partner access easily is a good idea. You can watch me here go live going through my birth box here.
Waterproof mattress protector
My daughters birth was an unplanned home birth and she was born on our bed. One of the best things we had for this was a waterproof mattress.
Puppy pads
Sounds strange but I got some super absorbable puppy pads to be placed underneath me when labour really starts to kick off and if I am not in the pool.
Old sheet set for you bed and towels
You never know how many towels are going to come in handy or what you might use them for. Pull out some of your older towels or buy some cheap ones to have on hand. Do the same for any sheets you have too for floor areas you want covered, or an old fitted sheet to go over your mattress protector. You may be able to clean these things afterwards, or throw them away.
Wash cloths
During labour, I have always found it so nice to have a wash cloth placed over my forehead, chest, or wherever I want it really. You can pre soak these and add some drops of your fave essential oil to it and put them in the fridge. My favourite oils to infuse with would be peppermint or lavender (you can put the two together if you like). I would suggest choosing an oil that helps ground or energises you.
Paper towels
Can we ever have enough paper towels, really? Just something that is super handy to have around. I’ve even been told to get some “puppy pads” to sit on.
Exercise ball
This will help open up your pelvis and encourage the baby to move into position. During labour, it can be useful to lean over the ball and rock your body from side to side or forward and back.
Padsicles
After labour pads - can I get a hallelujah?! These guys are so easy to make and are incredible to use.
What you will need:
2tbs Witch hazel
1tbs Aloe Vera Gel
Lavender EO
Maternity pad
What do to:
Open pad, and save the wrapper.
Mix the 2 tablespoons of witch hazel, one tablespoon of aloe Vera gel and a couple of drops of lavender essential oil.
Place mixture onto pad, fold it back up and place in wrapper.
Store the pad in a zip lock sandwich bag and place it in the freezer.
Heating pad
Something that can be used for on areas of tension during labour, like your lower back. We have a hot water bottle as we don’t use a microwave. Also handy to have to heat up any towels or blankets for when babe arrives if you don’t have access to a dryer.
Post birth pads/nappies
Don’t really have to explain this one! You can buy these down at your local supermarket.
Music playlist
Creating a calm atmosphere can be done in a few ways, you might find that having a playlist ready is the perfect thing to keep you calm and focused. I created mine about 5 weeks prior to birth and used a Spotify playlist. There are a tonne of already made lists you can select from. Otherwise some guided meditation or affirmations may be your thing!
Diffuser and essential oils
This is the real game changer in a labouring room and will transform the space into an incredibly calming one. You can check out this post here to see my favourite essential oils, diffuser blends and roller recipes for labour.
Birthing Pool
Water is an incredible natural pain relief during birth. You may or may not have easy access to a bath in your home (I would consider going up and down stairs when in labour) so a birthing pool could be something that you can either hire (check local home birthing facebook groups) or buy yourself online. Even if you aren’t planning for a home birth, I would still consider having this as an option.
Ningxia Red & a STRAW
Okay, the straw is in capitals because I cant tell you how handy it is to have someone offer you a drink when you might not be capable of even holding it yourself. We LOVE Ningxia Red. It is an incredible natural energy drink that I have drank throughout my pregnancies and have always noticed a huge difference to when I don’t. Read here to learn more.
Cozy clothes
Pretty straight forward! Slipping into something cozy and breastfeeding friendly after the big event is an incredible feeling.
Cozy blanket
My body temperature always drops after birth and Ive always appreciated have a big cozy blanket placed around me while I stare down at my beautiful new babe. Make sure you birthing partner knows that this is something you might want offered to you when you have birthed your baby.
Baby blanket & baby’s first outfit
Have soft baby blanket ready to wrap your sweet babe up in afterwards and whatever clothing you’d like for the first outfit.
Hospital bag
It might sound a little strange if you have opted for a home birth, but in the unlikely case that you will need one, its handy to have something ready to grab and go.
Affirmation cards
Labour is a marathon. For me, I love hearing words of affirmations to keep me anchored. I bought these beautiful cards from Meaghan Amor and will have them placed around the areas of my home I know I will be labouring in.
I hope this list helps you prep and feel ready for your home birth. My daughter was an unplanned home birth and we still managed to have a beautiful birth without having all of the above available, but if we can make our birth space calming and beautiful, then why not.
Extra tip: Make sure you go through this box with your birthing partner so they know what everything is for, because no doubt you will be a little occupied!