One of our really good friends is about to have her second baby and she's opted for a 'home birth'. How does that work then and what do you need? Does the mid-wife turn up with loads of equipment that she just rolls out of her bag? Ummm, no. You have to get organised yourself. What your midwife will have is a list of all the things you will need to have in place and ready, but if you're still in the early stages of deciding on where to have your baby, and a 'home birth' seems appealing, then here's a quick overview of the key things a home birth requires.
'Birthing Pools are second to epidurals in alleviating pain', say the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence. And you can have one for your home birth. Here's a great website which would be a good starting point for your research http://www.homebirthsupplies.co.uk/
The first thing that springs to my mind with a home birth, is the cleaning up! A floor sheet is an essential and something you can simply roll up and throw away with minimal fuss and no cleaning! Disposable bed pads are super absorbent and obviously really useful. A mirror with a handle will allow your midwife access to you without you having to get out of the pool ..... she may have one, but get one yourself just to make sure. A large bowl to receive the placenta. Face cloths will keep you fresh and cool. Drinking straws .... allow your partner to hold a drink for you so you can get fluids easily without using your hands. Lip balm, at hand for dry lips which can be an off-putting nuisance. Candles .... you're at home, so surround yourself with calming and soothing light, or even scented with a relaxing fragrance. Clary Sage oil is fantastic for labour as it acts as a uterine tonic which encourages labour and stimulates contractions. Other oils, Lavender and Rose, are well know for their relaxing and calming properties. And music! You may not feel like rocking out(!), but some of your favourites may help you get through and can be a wonderful distraction for a busy mind. Prepare some meals before hand and keep in the freezer ... you'll be hungry after all that hard 'labour' and some home-cooked food will be exactly what you'll need. Enlist some support, if it's not a partner, for your birth, a close friend or a 'doula', and also ask this person to record some notes throughout the labour to record the birth and take some pictures at the joyful ending! If you already have children you may want to have a couple of freinds 'on call' to come and collect them or keep them occupied whilst you're delivering their sibling.
And most important of all, when you've done all the hard work, what better place to be than in your own bed ..... sounds like a great option to me.
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