Homebirth

For birthing people who have a low risk and healthy pregnancy, homebirth is as safe, if not safer, than birth in hospital. The Homebirth Aotearoa website is a great resource if you are considering a homebirth.

Home Birth Documentary - You can watch the NZ Home Birth Documentary here -

https://info.health.nz/pregnancy-maternity/labour-and-birth/where-to-give-birth#

Our very own Sarah Dow was inspired to create a documentary about Home Birth in Aotearoa, and was instrumental in getting this film made. It is well worth watching if you are considering where to birth.

NZ Dad’s talk about homebirth

Some other resources about home birth

https://wellingtonhomebirth.weebly.com/

https://portal.midwife.org.nz/research-article/1438

https://www.midwife.org.nz/midwives/professional-practice/consensus-statements/ please see the statement on normal birth.

https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/pregnancy-and-kids/services-and-support-during-pregnancy/where-give-birth

https://birthhub.weebly.com/

Planned homebirth

What you need for a home birth:

  • Birth mat: plastic sheet with absorbent layers to protect floor and furniture. (A picnic blanket, shower curtain, tarpaulin are great options)

  • Heater to heat your room

  • Bowl or bucket (some women vomit in labour), sometimes we need more than one

  • Pile of towels – (a least a dozen)

  • Cloths (that you’re okay if we use on your perineum)

  • Baby clothes, baby blanket (cotton/woollen is best) and nappies

  • Props (cushions, pillows, Swiss ball, or bean bags are useful for different positions)

  • Food (have the kitchen well stocked with food particularly snack foods and easily digestible and nourishing fluids)

  • Small Mirror

  • Sanitary pads

  • A container for the placenta

  • Rubbish Bags

  • A bag packed for emergency transfer (this is helpful if we need to transfer, but also keeps everything handy where your midwife can find it if there is no need to transfer

Unplanned homebirth (Surprise!)
It’s safer to stay at home if you have the urge to push

  • Call your midwife – We’re on our way, we will stay on the phone with you!

  • Wash your hands (if there’s time)

  • Reassure your partner and help them into a comfortable position such as on their hands and knees

  • Warm the room and collect clean towels for the baby

  • As the baby’s head descends you will see a round circle of hair…. just be ready to catch the baby – encourage your partner to breathe baby out

  • As soon as the baby is born wipe it down with the towels and put him/her onto your partner’s chest – skin to skin

  • DO NOT CUT THE CORD

  • Allow the placenta to be born – still attached to the baby and leave it until help arrives

  • Keep baby warm