{"id":21082,"date":"2022-05-06T13:31:34","date_gmt":"2022-05-06T11:31:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=21082"},"modified":"2022-05-06T13:31:49","modified_gmt":"2022-05-06T11:31:49","slug":"how-to-prep-for-a-home-birth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/how-to-prep-for-a-home-birth\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prep for a Home Birth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pregnancy and birth \u2013 how exciting! First off, congratulations. If you\u2019re reading this you most likely are pregnant or have a partner or loved one who is. A new baby coming into your life is exciting and can also be nerve-wracking. You\u2019re probably full of questions, especially when it comes to planning for labor and birth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a saying in birth work \u2013 your body, your baby, your choice. Medical conditions and financial accessibility aside, you get to choose where you have your baby. For some people that means a hospital, for others a birth center, and for some \u2013 at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is A Home Birth?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Homebirth is just what it sounds like \u2013 laboring and birthing from the comfort of your home (or another chosen location). These are typically attended by a licensed midwife (medical birth professional). Some people also hire a <\/span>doula<\/span><\/a>, which is a non-medical birth professional who provides emotional, physical, and educational support for people during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the U.S., about <\/span>0.9%<\/span><\/a> of all births occur at home each year. Although about a fourth of these are unplanned or unattended home births \u2013 meaning there\u2019s no medical support. That\u2019s a tiny slice of the birth pie, but it is becoming a more popular option.<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone has their own reasons for choosing home birth. Some of the most common are wanting to avoid unnecessary medical interventions like <\/span>episiotomies<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>cesarean sections<\/span><\/a>, the ability to be in the comfort of their own home, and having more options for their choice of provider.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are Home Births Safe?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Birthing outside of the hospital can bring up a lot of fears and worries, especially in places where it\u2019s not as common. This <\/span>comprehensive study<\/span><\/a> of birth outcomes over a large population shows that overall, home births are relatively safe for low-risk pregnancies. Not only are they safe, but home births for low-risk pregnancies can actually drastically reduce the chance of having an unnecessary intervention. In the United States, the <\/span>C-section rate<\/span><\/a> for full-term pregnancies is 31%, versus 5.2% for people who plan on having a home birth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Different countries and regions have varying legislation around who is eligible for a home birth. Some people may not be able to if they have certain health conditions if their baby is over forty-two weeks gestation, if they are pregnant with multiples, or if their baby is breech (feet or butt first instead of head down). <\/span>Wondering if you\u2019re eligible for a home birth? Let\u2019s learn how to find a provider, and how to prepare to have a home birth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prepping for A Home Birth<\/b><\/h2>\n

So you\u2019re hoping to have a homebirth? This takes a little extra preparation so that you have the right supplies, and can hopefully set yourself up for success.\u00a0 <\/span>Here are some key tips to keep in mind:<\/span><\/p>\n

Find The Right Provider<\/b><\/h2>\n

Most planned home births are attended by a licensed birth professional like a midwife. Finding the right midwife depends on where you live. One of the best tools here is word of mouth. Try asking friends, people in pregnancy or birth education groups, online forums,, and anywhere else you can find birth information.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your best bet is to do a Google search to find a midwife in your area, then read reviews. You also may be able to find information through your insurance provider. Once you have a healthcare provider that you trust and feel comfortable with, you can get some advice on these next steps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Get Your Supplies<\/b><\/h2>\n

The supplies you need depend on what your midwife provides and what your plans are for labor. Your midwife will of course cover all medical supplies and possibly some other gear, many also sell home birth supply kits. These can also be found online.\u00a0 <\/span>Here are some other important things to have on hand for a home birth:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n