Setting up for a birth at home

Your Birth Preferences

Create a birth plan, no sorry, I mean a Birth Preferences sheet! It’s been proven that women who have a higher expectation of childbirth will have higher levels of maternal satisfaction after birth too*.

At She Births® we believe in ‘shooting for the moon’ – aim for the greatest possible experience, so that even if you miss, you will land safely amongst the stars. We know how important it is to express your desires and ideals to your caregivers but we also know how to help you go with the flow when things don’t go to plan. And provide couples with a specially created approach for conscious decision making.

Start thinking about how and where you will give birth. Find out if you’re allowed to give birth in an all fours position? Did you know that this is the most popular choice for women to give birth in? This allows the pelvis to expand by up to 30 percent and is generally more comfortable and allows for an easier second stage.

You may also find that water is your favourite form of relaxation and pain relief in labour. So, it’s a good idea to check if water births are available in the centre or suite. Even if you are planning a homebirth it’s essential to check that the floorboards are strong enough to withstand the massive weight of a water-filled birthing pool.

Below are examples of Birth Preferences sheets that give you a platform to ask questions and create your most optimal experience with your team. It’s critical that you create your own Birth Preferences’ sheet and discuss it fully with your caregivers well before birth is imminent, and also have at least one copy with you in your birthing bag too so that you can place it easily on a table for any provider to read and understand quickly. Our different visual icon – birth preferences sheets are also downloadable via your app and the private facebook page.

What to Pack for the Birth

For mum:

• Toiletry bag with personal items such as a toothbrush, etc.
• 2 comfortable T-shirts, nighties, sarongs for labouring in
• Dressing gown
• Slippers

• 2 pairs of warm socks
• Comfortable clothes and flat shoes for going home in
• 6 pairs of comfy undies or old ones
• 2 or 3 nursing bras
• 1 box of nursing breast pads
• 2 packs of large sanitary napkins (e.g. Nighttime/maternity ones)
• A box of tissues, lovely soft toilet paper for after birth
• Hair clips, elastic bands for hair
• Lip balm
• Face moisturiser
• Face flannel
• Personal comfort items to create your own labouring room e.g. photos, doona, favourite pillow, etc.
• Favourite music
• Room spray, essential oils – lavender for relaxation, clary sage for stimulating labour, peppermint for energy boosts
• Homeopathy – arnica and rescue remedy and pulsatilla
• Sea sickness bands for nausea

For partner:

• Toiletries, etc.
• Swimmers to be in the shower/bath with your partner
• Camera
• Video camera (tripod)
• Change of clothes
• Mobile charger
• Baby capsule in car
• ‘Labourade’ drinks – raspberry tea, Gatorade, glucodin powder, apple juice, etc.
• Labour snacks – crackers, lollies, fruit, healthy bread, perhaps a chocolate cake for after!
• Orgasmatron / acupressure tool
• This She Births® book

For Baby:

• 4 singlets
• 4 nighties or sleepsuits
• 2 muslin wraps
• 2 bunny rugs (that you have washed and had in your bed)
• 2 bonnets/head coverings
• 3 pairs of booties/socks
• 2 packets of cotton balls for washing baby’s bottom

Photo by Sarah Pulling of Bear Hunt Photography