Currently, baby #4 is baking in the oven and due in May. This time we are planning a home birth – assisted home birth.
Home birth is not new to my family. My grandmother was a midwife and gave birth at home in Mexico, my mom birthed my sister at home, and my sister birthed her son at home. I wanted to have home births since my 1st born but I didn’t know how to start looking for the right one.
Labor and delivery never excite me because I know how labor pains are, especially as you get closer to giving birth. It’s just a moment in the spectrum of the whole labor and birth. You kind of forget how painful it was then want to have another baby, haha!
Seriously though it is painful. I know that many women train their mind to think of the labor pains in a different way. Truthfully, all I want is the birth to be smooth sailing and God’s strength to get through the most painful part.
I have 3 prayers for this birth (not goals because I only have so much control):
- (the obvious one) That baby and I are 100% healthy and thriving through labor, birth, and postpartum.
- That I don’t tear at all – it will be a quicker recovery and less frustrating/difficult.
- That baby will breastfeed easily and effortlessly.
So here is my plan to prepare for labor, birth & breastfeeding – from education/research to supplies.
Part 1: Before Labor & Birth
Nutrition
Aside from homemade hearty meals –
- Drink a NORA tea blend – nettle, oatstraw, red raspberry, alfalfa – (daily beginning at 32 weeks)
Nourishing helps reduce the risk of hemorrhage and tones the uterus.
- Electrolyte drink from Taylor Dukes Wellness (daily as soon as possible)
Keeps you hydrated well – which also helps reduce tearing if your body & skin is well hyrdrated
- Magnesium Glycinate from Seeking Health (daily as soon as possible)
Reduces risk of preeclampsia and high blood pressure. Helps with leg cramps (which is a sign of magnesium deficiency)
- Dates (4 – 6 daily at 36 weeks)
Helps prepare body for labor and more likely to have quick labor
Exercise
Exercising in some way helps with labor, especially if you at least move your legs & hips. Strengthening your glutes and hips will help a lot with posture.
- Walking on treadmill
- Workouts A, B, & C – glutes/legs/hips/arms/back/chest
I’ll share my workout routine on a later post. I’m not an expert but it may give you an idea on what you can do.
Sleep
- Go to sleep at a good time to be well-rested when kids wake me up.
Get everyone to bed by 10p, wake up at about 7a is a good schedule for me.
Education
- Breastfeeding Course – The Thompson Method (gentle breastfeeding method)
I like this course because it is a more natural approach to breastfeeding. To me, it seems more in tune with how God created us with the instinct to feed. (Watch this video – it is not from the course but it is eye-opening in my opinion. FYI it is graphic since it shows newborn babies breastfeeding.)
Be prepared for possible engorgement – learn techniques to alleviate or prevent it. According to Dr. Robyn Thompson, starting to breastfeed on the first day and following the baby’s cues moving forward can help prevent engorgement.
Check out their YouTube channel which has a lot of good information!
This is a great book resource that will equip you will knowledge on how to best nourish yourself and your baby for optimal health.
- Labor & Delivery Course for Homebirth – like Sister Birth
I am not sure if I will be able to purchase this course at this moment but I would like to in the future. If you are a Bible-reading Christian, seeking biblically based perspectives without the New Age intertwined this course is a good option for you.
She also has free resources and they are pretty helpful.
Tear Prevention Steps
Aside from staying hydrated –
- Massage the perineum with vitamin E oil (ideally starting at week 30)
(Insert Evening Primrose Oil vaginally at about week 36 – I planned to do this but more than likely will not try this)
Part 2: During Labor & Birth
Helps to labor and open your pelvis. A helpful tool that is pricey but worth checking out. At the time I ordered the peanut ball from Premier Birth Tools with the book and the childbirth charts, I received additional free charts and booklets.
I did not get to use this ball last time because my boy came very fast. Maybe I’ll be able to use it this time!
You can use it while laboring and even through pregnancy to prepare for labor – Pelvic Tilts, Figure 8s, Swaying Side to Side. I do these while we eat breakfast every morning.
Your midwife will probably provide you with a list or link to a birth kit. I don’t need everything in the kit so I’ll select what I do need – somethings I already have.
To test if your water broke, if you’re not sure.
In case of any fevers with mom or baby.
Nutrition
Water Pool
Water birth helps reduce chance of tearing — just remember not to rush through the birthing process because ultimately giving your body time is what really helps. It’s said to help relieve a bit of pain due to the buoyancy of water.
You can purchase the pool yourself but many midwives offer this as part of their package OR they will rent them out.
- Birth Pool Liner (regular or mini – we’re choosing the mini)
For birth debris in water….
To fill up pool, make sure it is safe to use.
To protect your floor, place pool on top of this drop cloth
There are other accessories you can buy for the pool, that I probably won’t buy.
To make sure water temperature is consistently at a good degree – not too hot and not cold.
Protect Furniture/Reduce Cleaning Efforts
- Chux Disposable/ Washable Pads
Use to catch any blood/fluids coming out during birth. You buy disposable or reusable pads OR both.
I have puppy pads and would like to purchase the washable ones to use through postpartum. It’ll be useful to protect couch or mattress from breastmilk leaks or postpartum lochia etc.
Large dry towels for extra protection on your bed or couch – wherever you might be during birth.
I would get white to make sure I can revive the color using hydrogen peroxide and bluing liquid.
We may use some of these towels as a receiving blanket to dry off baby and me post birth.
In case we need something small to clean off baby or me.
Can use these postpartum to shower.
I probably won’t buy these – not sure yet.
- White Bed Sheets
You can use old ones during labor and birth. Use new ones after birth to rest on new clean sheets.
- Shower Liner & Mattress Protector
Both for mattress protection. Personally, I won’t need these since I do not plan to labor in the bedroom.
Part 3: After Birth
For Baby & Placenta
Dry off and wrap baby. I’m using baby blankets and/or towels.
This is for the placenta.
- Arnica Oil/Coconut or Olive Oil
Apply to baby bottom to make it easier to clean off the meconium.
- Diaper + Water Wipes
I would have a newborn and size 1 diapers just in case. Baby will pee and poop – meconium – at some point after birth.
If you’re considering cloth diapers Hopewell Heights has a great blog and video on this.
For Mom
- Adult Diapers/Period Underwear
Immediately post birth through lochia period. I usually use the Always Discreet Boutique diapers and I have some left over from December 2023, baby #3. I would like to try Rael Disposable Period Underwear at some point. They also have reusable period underwear options.
- Nursing Wear
Supports breastmilk production. It has other nutrients to help support you and your baby postpartum.
I am thinking of having button down nightgowns or pjs shirts to make it easier to breastfeed.
I’m planning to have baggy t-shirts, as well, that I can just lift up and breastfeed. I prefer not to buy actual nursing items because they are more expensive. (Although I am going to try the thrift stores first.)
Postpartum Pain/Healing
- Cramp Bark + Motherwort + Yarrow (possibly added to NORA)
Natural way to manage postpartum cramps – which are said to get worst with each child.
- Ibuprofen
Personally I rather not take meds but no shame if they are needed.
- Sitz Spray
You can buy one and I recommend this one. I am also thinking of making one using – witch hazel + aloe vera gel + lavender tea + yarrow tea (you can also add uva ursi).
- Stool Softner
You may not need this one. Personally I prefer it just to prevent any hard pushing postpartum.
I have the Frida Mom peri bottle. Personally, I preferred this one way better than the one at the hospital because it was a softer stream. It was especially helpful when I tore level 2 with my firstborn. Here is another option from Sunflower Motherhood.
Other anti-pain options, I won’t buy.
Tincture to help with cramps.
Postpartum Supplements
Good to consider to support replenishing your body and feeding your baby.
IF you find a good postnatal vitamin that is great too.
- Fenugreek Tea
My mom, sister, and I ground fenugreek seeds and use the powder to make tea. It supports breastmilk production (but doesn’t make milk) because of its nourishing assets. It is nourishing for postpartum moms and helps with bloating. As a plus, it can make you smell like maple syrup and I love that!
It is bitter so be aware that it can make your breastmilk bitter and you may need to stop consuming it if your baby is negatively affected by the taste.
For Cleaning
- Bar Mop Towels/Paper Towels
I prefer reusable items so that I can have them just in case I need them for future births – mine or my sister or a friend.
- Disinfectant Wipes
Use for quick wipe down of surfaces etc.
- Large Garbage Bags
To collect dirty washable items and disposable items in separate bags. Makes it easier to clean up the area.
- Hydrogen Peroxide
Removes blood stains. You can pour hydrogen peroxide on the blood stains, then follow by 1 cold wash and 1 hot wash. I am using white cloths, linen, etc. to make sure nothing I like gets bleached by the peroxide.
Other Optional Items
I plan to have a small hospital bag ready just in case. Additionally, we will plan for family to watch our kids whether the kids don’t handle being present well OR if we transfer to the hospital.
Additionally, I plan to have some snacks and drinks for the midwives. The midwives often have to stop whatever they are doing and come help. I’d like to have something for them to munch on or replenish energy in case they are hungry/tired.
My midwife said that they will take care of the clean-up post birth including emptying the pool and take it down. I’m grateful for that.
I will provide an update once the homebirth is set and done – after baby is in my arms.
Sources to Reference
- How to Prepare for a Home Birth + Supplies Checklist by The Duvall Homestead
- How Messy is a Home Birth? 7 Tips for Handling the Clean-Up by Natural Home Momma
- Preparing for the Home Birth of Our Fifth Baby by Hopewell Heights
- Sister Birth Free Resources and Gathering Birth Supplies for Home Birth by Brooke Collier
Honorable Mentions
