Planning your birth can be exciting and fun, but also a little scary and overwhelming! There are so many unknowns. Will I go into labor spontaneously? Will I go before my EDD, after my EDD? Will everything go smoothly?
Will I be able to do it?
Number one, you can do it.
Now that we got that out of the way, the first question you should answer- home or hospital?
I'll write a whole post about choosing a home or choosing a hospital birth with the pros and cons of both! But for now, I'm going to assume that you're reading this because you already are planning a home birth.
1) Decide which CPM (certified professional midwife) you would like to attend your birth. It's a great idea to interview a few and to ask the community about their experiences so you can find the right person for your birth.
2) Choose a doula. Some people wonder if a doula is necessary at a homebirth. Here's the thing, your midwife is likely trained in labor and pushing positions and even comfort measures but, the reason you need a midwife is the medical care. She needs to stay sharp and use her energy for making sure you and your baby are healthy. So a doula and a midwife are actually a really great team!
3) How about a birth photographer? You can read all about my reasons you need a photographer here!
Another option is finding a Birth photographer that is also a doula. You just have to decide if both skills are equally important. Do you want EVERYTHING documented AND full-time support or are you ok missing a shot because you need support?
The beautiful thing about homebirth is that you have complete control over who is there. You don't have to limit friends or family, although you may want to. Do you have other children? They can be there to see their new baby born!
It does matter who is present at your birth. Why? Simply put, your body relies on a cascade of hormones to progress in labor. Those hormones require you to feel safe, undisturbed, and unwatched. Many women prefer dark and quiet spaces which is why home birth is such a great option for having your baby. But because of that, it's very important that you are comfortable with the people you choose to be present. Family members, midwives, and other support people should all be ones that make you feel safe and comfortable.
"The moment a child is born, a mother is born also"
much love,
Olivia
Comments