While a hospital setting would give you all the comforts and assistance you would need during labour, a home birth would need meticulous planning and a careful preparation from your side to make it a success. If you are one of those 'go natural' mothers who believes in making the birthing experience as natural as possible, without any medical intervention or artificial assistance, then you're likely to opt for the latter. Here is what you need to do if you want to plan a home birth:
Educate yourself about labour and related complications: A better knowledge about labour would make you more confident and prepare you well to face the challenges and consequences. Only reading books in this case might not be of much help, so take a step forward and volunteer to be a birthing mate for someone who has planned a home birth. Ideally you should experience or be a part of the birth circle even before you conceive. In case that is not possible, get enrolled in an antenatal class and tell your instructor about your desire to have a home birth. You might have to attend a few extra sessions that will help you learn about labour and also prepare your partner to be a good birth coach as well.
Talk to your doctor: Even if you want to opt for home birthing remember this type of natural birthing isn't for everyone. Talk to your doctor about it and get a clearance from your gynecologist for a home birth. Keep in mind that, women who are suffering from any health condition like pre-eclampsia, diabetes or have a low lying placenta might need to give birth in a hospital setting rather than opting for birthing at home. Read five things you should ask your gynecologist during your antenatal visits.
Choose your labour partner(s) wisely: Talk to a midwife, nurse or a medical attendant who has experience in home birthing and is willing to help you. In India, most doctors would not encourage a home birth or volunteer for it. Apart from that, make sure you have only a few select people around you during the birthing hours. A crowd can make you feel uncomfortable and make the entire experience unpleasant. With all those contractions, pains and discomforts, a crowd hovering around you would be the last thing you want. Ask your partner and your mother, or a close friend, to be with you during those hours. Make sure that whomever you choose to be in your birthing circle, has attended sessions with you at your antenatal class and is prepared in handling your needs during labour. Be very particular while choosing your midwife, remember she has to support you, monitor your progress and that of your baby's during labour. To create a comfort level with her make sure you meet her after each antenatal visit and discuss your pregnancy and its progress. Read what not to tell a woman in labour.
Be ready with a plan B: Labour is unpredictable, so keep your doctor in the loop while your labour pains set in and you decide to birth your baby within the comforts of your house. In case of any labour complications or fetal distress, if it at all arises, rush to your doctor and get assistance for your labour. To be on the safe side, ask your doctor to keep a bed prepared for you on your due date. So that if you have to reach the hospital in the middle of your labour, you might not have to wait too long for a bed.
Look for natural pain relief options: To counter labour pains at home look for natural options. Acupressure, massage or having a birth pool ready can be of great help. If you opt for acupressure or massage make sure one of your labour mates are well-versed. Read five ways to counter back pain during labour.
Create a birthing space: Prepare a room for your birth at least a week before your delivery date. Sterilize the room and make sure that there isn't any bulky furniture around. You might need a lot of space to move around during your labour hours. Keep a birth stool or cushions ready to comfort yourself during labour. Try positions that makes you feel the most comfortable. Remember a home birth means a lot of mess, blood and fluids all around. So keep away things that you wouldn't want to get stained or ruined. Prepare a bed for birthing and make it comfortable with minimal additions. Read how to plan for a birth without violence.
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