If you’re expecting a bundle of joy, you may be considering a home birth, which can be advantageous for numerous reasons. Welcoming your little one into the world in a comfortable, familiar environment with a greater element of control is a favourable choice for many women. Hospitals can be overwhelming environments, so it’s easy to see why many expectant mothers would want to limit their time spent on the maternity ward. However, planning well for your home birth is the key to a safe and calm experience.
Talk To Your Midwife
The first step in arranging a home birth is to check in with your midwife. Home births aren’t necessarily suitable for every expectant mother, so it is crucial that you receive expert advice from the appropriate medical professionals. When speaking with your midwife, she may determine whether or not a home birth is suitable for you by considering factors such as pre-existing medical conditions and how long it will take to transfer you to the nearest hospital in the case of an emergency.
Cover Everything
Births are messy affairs. No matter how vigilant your birthing partner is in wiping up fluids and spills, you can avoid potential stains by covering up your carpets and soft furnishings with sheets, shower curtains and towels. If you plan to give birth on your bed, replace your good bed linen with older alternatives, and don’t forget to add an incontinence sheet to protect your mattress. This way, after the birth, you can peel away the dirty sheets and have somewhere clean and comfortable to rest.
Towels Upon Towels
When it comes to home births, you can never have enough towels, particularly if you’re planning on setting up a birthing pool in your living room. Ideally, avoid using your best towels, as they may become stained. Instead, grab as many old towels as you can spare – you could even get a few old towels from a thrift store or request friends and family to donate some they no longer need. You may also find multiple hand towels and washcloths come in handy.
Snacks For Energy
Once your waters break, you may not feel like eating a full meal, but keeping your energy levels up will be vital. As such, grabbing quick, healthy snacks during labour can help you push through and combat fatigue. Fresh fruit, sandwiches, cereal bars, wholegrain crackers, breadsticks, nuts – anything you can graze on whenever you get a minute to breathe and relax in between contractions. It is also crucial to stay hydrated, so keep a flask of cool, refreshing water nearby.
Have A Hospital Bag Packed
Keep in mind that even if you’ve planned a home birth from the moment you discovered you were expecting, you can change your mind at any time. For instance, you may require additional pain relief, or you may simply feel safer by being surrounded by medical professionals. Moreover, in the unfortunate case that you experience birth complications, your midwife will strongly advise transferring you to a nearby hospital. Prepare for every eventuality by packing an emergency hospital bag containing clean clothes, toiletries, baby blankets and whatever else you might need.
Create A Soothing Atmosphere
The primary advantage of arranging a home birth is the ability to welcome your baby into a calm and soothing environment. Additionally, a tranquil atmosphere can boost your oxytocin levels, which contracts the uterus and promotes the progress of labour. Hence, creating a calmer environment can lead to a safer, more successful labour. You can use scented candles, table lamps, dimmer switches and fairy lights to make soft, calm, ambient lighting. Additionally, it’s recommended that the best temperature for babies is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, so adjust your heating or AC accordingly.
Buy A Birthing Ball
A birthing ball can help ease the pain and discomfort of labour. It can also help you into different comfortable and beneficial positions. For instance, staying upright during labour can help it to progress more quickly. Many experts advise practising with your birthing ball prior to labour, which may also alleviate the notorious aches and pains of the third trimester. You may already have an exercise ball lying around; alternatively, you can purchase birthing balls at most health and fitness retailers.
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