How to Plan a Home Birth

Giving birth at home is, for many women, a way to make sure they're comfortable and in control during labor and delivery.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Candles
• Pillowcases
• Pillows
• Sheets
• Towels
• Waterproof Sheets
• Fresh Fruit
• Juices
• Teas
• Soothing Music
• Doctors
• Photographers

1. Track down an attendant (usually a midwife, but sometimes a doctor) who is experienced delivering babies in nonmedical settings.
2. Read up on pregnancy, labor and delivery - outside of the hospital, it's important to be as informed as possible.
3. Choose who you want to be there: Sister? Friend? Photographer?
4. Make sure you're stocked up on towels and sheets (and anything else your midwife recommends), as well as tea, juice and healthy snacks.
5. Remember that you make the mood: Do you want candles? Jazz or classical music? Older siblings?
6. Establish a backup plan for getting to the hospital in case you (or your baby) need emergency care.
7. Line up some help for after the birth. At home, you won't have the support of nurses or other hospital staff.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're in doubt about giving birth at home, consider saving the home setting for later children, when delivery is usually easier and you'll know what to expect of yourself.
• Home births are recommended only for low-risk pregnancies.
• There's always a risk of complication, so don't have a home birth if you live more than 15 minutes from the nearest medical facility.
• Home birth is usually cheaper than hospital birth, but if you end up having to get whisked to a hospital, it could end up costing more.