Whilst I was pregnant with my third baby, my husband and I started to discuss where I wanted to give birth. The Maternity ward where my sons were born had closed soon after having my second, due to COVID. We had hoped the ward would re-open in time for me to birth our third child however it wasn’t likely. The other options were hospitals at least a 30 minute car journey away, something which concerned us as my second birth was fairly swift! So our thoughts turned to a home birth.
We weren’t 100% sold to begin with, we were worried about running the logistics of the birth, the what and where. But because I had had the pleasure of experiencing two wonderful water births in a hospital, we thought why not!? I can do this at home! As long as we had everything we needed beforehand, and had sorted as much as we could, it would be fine. Well it surpassed both of our expectations! It was by far my “easiest”, most comfortable, chilled, amazing birth out of the three. I could go on and on about it, and perhaps at another time I will, but for now I will tell you about the equipment we had, what we actually used and what we thought about it.
I personally will always recommend having a water birth, I have only ever given birth in the water so that is my only experience. There is of course the option to birth “on land” at home, apart from the specific birthing pool equipment, you can use everything else below.
Birthing Pool
You have a couple of size options and how to have one in your house. In regards to size; there is a regular standard size – which would fit your birth partner in if that is part of your plan; or there is a mini version – perfect if you are a bit short on space. You can purchase either one – great if you plan on having multiple home births; or you can hire a birth pool and purchase the sterile accessories to go with it. This saves you money and means you don’t have to store the pool between births.
Whichever size you decide, you will need to purchase a new birth pool liner and filling hose. This will ensure that they are both intact, clean and hygienic – they shouldn’t be opened or used during any ‘practice runs’ of setting up the pool etc before you go into labour. You will also need an air pump to inflate your pool, and a thermometer to ensure the water is the right temperature. These items can be bought as part of a kit that also includes a water pump, tap adaptors, a sieve, and a non-slip mat. There are extended kits available with extra items included as well. When I started looking into it I was very overwhelmed by everything that we needed, so I understand that this seems like a lot. However we were lucky to find a company that had all the kits in one spot!
We used a company called Birth Pool In A Box (we are in the UK, but on their Delivery and Shipping page there are links for other countries). If you follow the below link you can receive 10% off from my discount code;
Shower curtain
We decided to buy a couple cheap shower curtains from Amazon to have underneath the birth pool, and on the sofa for after the birth. This could be used for a land birth as well, either on a bed or floor with old towels/sheets on top to make it more comfortable. I was concerned that I would be distracted by any noise it would make when I walked on it, however I didn’t even notice it but I’m glad we had it down, it was a simple thing to have down that gave us peace of mind.
- Shower curtain UK – https://amzn.to/3Kc4MqJ
- Shower curtain US – https://amzn.to/3wVqxId
Towels/sheets
If you’re just like me I’m sure you have plenty of spare towels and sheets hidden away in cupboards and the loft. I even asked my mum for her spares! We used a couple of towels on the floor where I got in and out of the pool, and a couple on top of the shower curtain we had on the sofa for after the birth. We definitely had more than we needed but at least we didn’t run out!
Birthing Ball
I used a birthing ball towards the end of my pregnancy and in early labour as well. It focused my mind whilst my husband was setting the pool up. Helped me concentrate on my breathing and the surges instead of worrying about the logistics of inflating and filling the pool. They come with an air pump so it can be inflated when needed and stored when not.
- Birthing Ball UK – https://amzn.to/4bts2fZ
- Birthing Ball US – https://amzn.to/3QUuDqW
That’s about it in terms of equipment. You should have your hospital bag packed anyway just in case you need to be transferred to hospital, your maternity notes and birth preferences with this as well (see my hospital bag essentials guide). When you inform the midwives of your plans to have a home birth they will arrange to visit your home to help you with logistics, then nearer your due date they drop off a box of equipment they need. You don’t need to worry about it, just to store it and have it to have when you go into labour and are preparing your birth space. They then bring more equipment with them when you call them to say that you are in labour.
My birth space was the living room, it had the biggest floor space for the pool, the hose could reach the tap from the kitchen, and was where I felt most comfortable. We had low level lighting, a speaker with calming music, and an oil burner with essential oils. I found all of these home comforts added to the atmosphere of the birth space and I believe made the birth as wonderful as it was.
Your birth space is very personal to you, it can be how you want it to be. And your birth partner, while you are in labour, acts as the safe keeper of that space for you.