| How to Prepare for Homebirth |
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| Labor and Birth |
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The first thing to do when preparing for a homebirth is to read. It is important to be informed and prepared. If you can talk to families who have had homebirths, this will also be helpful. Your midwife should give you information and a list of supplies you will need for the homebirth. Get them a few at a time to spread out the cost. Your room that you give birth in should have room for the people you want there. If you have a small room, move out some furniture, like a dresser to another room temporarily. Good lighting will be helpful. If you are having the birth video taped or photographed have the bed positioned so whoever will be doing that won’t get in the way of the midwife or family members. An old, clean shower curtain will make a nice barrier from the fluids (including blood) that are released during birth. If you need a new one, this is the time to buy one andsave your old one. If not, a cheap shower curtain will do. In one bag, put the bedding and an absorbent bed pad on that will be on the bed after the birth is over. In the same bag, put the shower curtain and old (preferably dark colored) bedding to be used during the birth. The bed will be made with the “good set” of bedding and then covered with the shower curtain. The bed will then be made with the “old set” of bedding. While the mother is in the shower after the birth, everything from the plastic up can be quickly removed and a clean bed will easily be ready for mom and baby to lay back down. Not everyone that you invite to the birth needs to be in the room at the moment of the birth. The people invited should have a “role” and not just be spectators. Different roles people will have: Support and relief support Care of children Assist midwife if needed Photography/video Manage calls and visitors (update on progress) Back up for any of the above roles In the rare event transportation to the hospital will be needed, have a plan to go and instructions for children, pets, etc. Have food for your helpers in the freezer or a few jars of spaghetti sauce in the cabinet with some pasta. Preparing a meal will give helpers something to do during labor. The children can plan the “birth” day party. They can decorate, bake a cake, and wrap presents during the labor. Have the photographer get shots of the preparations or have a second camera available. Have a gift for the children from the baby for them to unwrap at the party after the baby is born. A homebirth is a memorable and personal experience that may not go exactly as planned, but how ever it goes, be flexible, and enjoy the beautiful and rare experience of giving birth. 
 
 
 
 
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