Preparing for birth at home

2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 18:44

Birth at home? Why not? More and more women, supported by their midwives, are deciding to give birth in the comfort of their own home. Obviously, you have to carefully prepare for a home birth.

Indeed, giving birth, whether in the hospital or at the birthing centre, requires a degree of preparation on the part of the new parents. This is especially true when you decide to give birth in the comfort of your own home.

Giving birth in bed

Over the past few years, we have witnessed a comeback and an appreciation of the role of the midwife. More and more future mothers are using their service to monitor their pregnancy, wishing, among other things, to have a more human contact and greater control over their pregnancy, but also over their childbirth. After giving birth in a birthing centre, and following the trend, home birth is also popular, even if it is still not very widespread in Canada. And if the idea has something romantic, even nostalgic, childbirth is nonetheless an important event that requires a certain degree of preparation so that everything goes smoothly.good.

Home birth: a safe choice?

If the statistics are to be believed, yes! Indeed, if we compare the safety of home birth with that of hospital birth, the conclusions are similar. Thus, when the conditions are favorable on both sides, i.e. for a low-risk clientele, the perinatal mortality and morbidity rates are equal (Peat, Marwick, Stevenson & Kellog, 1991; Janssen, Holt, Myers, 1994; Olsen, 1997; B. C. Home Birth Demonstration Project, 2000). Moreover, in some countries where homebirthis more common (such as the Netherlands where it is the option chosen by 31% of expectant parents), we even observe slightly fewer incidents, which demonstrates its efficiency.

Of course, giving birth at home is only possible after reflection and an approach with your midwife, who will assess, among other things, whether your condition allows you to do so. If your pregnancy is not at risk, and it is estimated that there are no factors preventing you from giving birth at home, rejoice: you will most likely have an unforgettable experience. Still, your home should also be appropriate.

A safe house

Indeed, the very first element to consider is your home, and a few weeks before the expected delivery date, the midwife will visit you to inspect the premises. Your house must be clean, and above all easy to accessfor paramedics. She also makes sure that the bedroom is well lit, big enough, and that, if necessary, she can hang a solute above the bed.

The address must be clearly visible from the street, where it must be possible to park without problems. The entrance and the stairs must be clear.

In addition, the transport time to the hospital must be taken into consideration. Indeed, if it was necessary to migrate urgently to a hospital center, the journey should be done in less than 30 minutes. This directive is borrowed from the one issued by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC), which asks physicians on call to live within 30 minutes of the hospital.

Planning your birth at home

It is therefore around the 35^th week of pregnancy that the birth at home is really planned, when you will be asked to sign the "consent to services a midwife for a home birth”. You will also be given the famous "mother-to-be tray" provided by the birth center, which contains tools necessary for childbirth and birth, such as pliers to clamp the umbilical cord, a cap to keep the baby's head warm, his he alth record, a nasal bulb, compresses, solute and, of course, sterile instruments. You will also find some medicines there. In addition, the midwife will give you a list that will allow you to prepare your room and your home.

The bedroom

These preparations are not only important for your safety, but they will also allow you to limit cleaning after childbirth. Thus, you are asked to make your bed, then cover it with a large plastic piece, firmly attached to the mattress. Then, redo your bed over the plastic, preferably with used but clean sheets, which you don't particularly care about, and which you can, without too much trouble, get rid of at the very end. Thus, after childbirth, the midwife can quickly remove the plastic as well as the soiled blankets, and you can lie down in a clean bed with baby. Remember to protect the pillows. You must also provide a garbage can with several large garbage bags as well as plastic bags (grocery size). Make sure you can adjust the room temperature to a comfortable level.

You will also need to prepare a bin with the following items:

• a bottle of almond oil or olive oil;
• a box of tissues;
• three medium-sized plastic or metal bowls;
• towels (large, hand-held) and washcloths;
• a dozen small flannel blankets to wrap baby in;another cotton bonnet;
• a blanket for you;
• super absorbent sanitary napkins;
• a bottle of peroxide or cleanser;
• a magic bag or heating pad;
• a portable mirror;
• folding straws (which will allow you to drink lying down);
• a flashlight.

Also remember to display prominently, on the refrigerator for example, the list of important telephone numbers (babysitter, midwife, hospital). You should also put your pregnancy tracker there for paramedics.

Obviously you have to pack a suitcase, in case you have to go to the hospital.