Ten tips for a happy home birth

2. Have supplies ready well in advance - You won't want your other half, or yourself, to be dashing around the place looking for necessary items when you're in the throes of childbirth, so making sure you have everything ready, waiting and easy to get at is important. You might also want to write a list of what's needed and where it is in case you're in no mood or position to field questions about where the towels are. />

Waterproofings You might plan to give birth in your bed or a birthing pool, but when it comes to it you really can't be sure exactly where you'll give birth in the house - you may find yourself on all fours on the floor. If you get ready a few waterproof sheets, tarpaulins or several old sheets as well as a stack of old towels, then you can give yourself plenty of flexibility without having to worry about spoiling carpets and the like. If you're using a birthing pool then you'll also need a waterproof layer underneath and around the pool as some spillage is inevitable.

Cloths to soak up fluids Old towels or terry nappies are useful to soak up the mess when your waters break

Towels Both you and your baby will need a good supply of soft, clean towels after the birth. Think ahead of time about your partner is going to warm towels and blankets to wrap up your newborn - such as throwing them in the drier during the pushing stage, warming them on a radiator or keeping them ready in the airing cupboard if you have one.

A bowl or bucket for the placenta Well, you don't want anyone slipping on it, do you!

Props Ice chips, high energy snacks (fon't forget your birthing partner and midwife will need to eat too!), pillows, birthing ball, herbal teas

Heavy-duty pads For post-partum bleeding

New baby essentials Vests, babygros, scratch mitts, nappies, receiving blanket, bedding etc. Read this article for the full low-down on what your new baby will need.

A poise-angle lamp in case you require stitching down below afterwards

3. Prepare your bed - Even you're planning to give birth somewhere other than your bed, for example in a home birthing pool, it's a good idea to get your bed ready so that you can keep that option open. You can make things a little easier if you make up your bottom sheet as usual and then cover it with a waterproof sheet and put an old sheet over the top. After the birth you can just peel away the two sheets and you've got a clean bed to rest in.

4. Plan for siblings - Even though you're planning to be home you'd still do with an extra hand with older children if you'd like them at home with you, or even have them with you for part of labour. Your birth partner will be too busy being there for you through the birth and assisting the midwife to give any attention to other children. An extra pair of hands will also come in very handy right after the birth when you'll both probably need a good rest.
Have a think about what you'd like your help to do with the children (going out, watching films, meal details etc.), whether your children will be allowed into to see you at any point, and when, and what you want them to be told if they do hear any birthing pains. Make sure that you communicate your wishes clearly - write a list for them if you think it will help.

5. Prepare pain relief - You may not have the full range of medicinal pain relief to hand that you would in a hospital, but there are still plenty of pain relief options for home birth such as: exercises, massage, gas and air, pethidine, TENS machines, aromatherapy, acupuncture and reflexology and

ThinkBaby

Authors

Create the perfect wishlist for your baby with MyCrib