How to Prepare for a Home Birth
The experience of bringing your baby into the world in the comfort of your own home is both exciting and sacred. And, of course, many moms have questions about what to expect and how to prepare for a home birth.
As a certified nurse-midwife, I’ve had the privilege of guiding many families through this journey. In this post, I’d like to help you build your ideal home environment by sharing tips on support, supplies, and preparation based on my professional training and experience.
Is Home Birth Right for You?
First, let’s briefly touch on home birth itself. While having your baby at home is a beautiful option, it isn’t for everyone. For instance, home births aren’t appropriate for moms with complicated pregnancies, for the safety of both mom and baby.
Home birth is generally best suited for women with low-risk pregnancies who desire a low-intervention approach. If you’re someone who trusts in the natural process of birth, desires minimal intervention, and feels that a home setting aligns with your vision of a peaceful birth, home birth could be a wonderful option.
I often recommend that women take a childbirth class specific to home birth, both to prepare and to get additional insight into what to expect. Watching videos can also be helpful. (To get you started, we love Bridget Teyler’s educational birth story and Beth Moore’s raw and emotional water birth.)
If this all resonates with you, let’s explore how to prepare for a home birth that aligns with your goals.
How to Prepare for a Home Birth
Build Your Support Team
Your support system plays a crucial role in your birth experience. As you prepare for a home birth, carefully consider who you want present. For instance, I strongly recommend first-time mothers work with a doula alongside their midwife and partner. I also recommend only inviting people who are fully supportive of your choice to labor and birth at home. Research shows that mothers surrounded by knowledgeable, encouraging support have the highest success rates with home births.
Your birth team may include:
Partner/Spouse: Again, must be supportive of a home birth. (In fact, this is so crucial that at Haven we only accept clients when both parties are on board.)
Midwife: Arrives during active labor and provides guidance and medical support if needed.
Doula: Offers physical and emotional support from early labor all the way through birth.
Registered Nurse Birth Assistant: Provides additional physical, emotional, and medical support for both the patient and midwife.
You might also include:
Close Friends or Family: Again, only invite those who fully support your choice for a home birth. Anyone with doubts or concerns can unintentionally introduce stress, which may hinder the progress of labor. Additionally, consider how many people will be in the room with you. In my experience, a large, even supportive audience can cause moms to feel like they need to “perform” well, introducing stress that actually slows their progress. If you decide on a larger group, ensure you still have a private space available if needed.
Children: If you have children already, carefully consider whether to have them in the room with you, especially if they’re young. Keep in mind each child’s temperament and whether the experience would be comforting or difficult for you or them.
Pets: Some moms take great comfort in the presence of a beloved pet. I’ve attended births where the family dog stuck next to mom during the entire birth process, remaining calm and offering quiet support. A more exuberant and anxious pet, however, could become a distraction or impediment.
Birth Photographer: If you want a birth photographer or videographer present, I recommend finding a discreet, quiet professional who operates well in a “fly-on-the-wall” capacity.
Prepare Your Home and Gather Supplies
At Haven, we visit our clients’ homes around the 36-week mark to discuss the details of how to prepare for a home birth and teach some tips and tricks. We also provide our clients with a birth kit containing a few essentials, such as ice packs, disposable pads, and AfterEase for postpartum care.
Certain items will be up to your midwife to bring with her when attending the actual birth. Though we hope not to need most of what we bring, we come fully prepared to care for you and your baby with a full range of supplies, including:
Emergency resuscitation equipment
Handheld Doppler for monitoring baby
Medications to stop excessive bleeding
Suturing supplies, including lidocaine
Herbs and tinctures
Vitamin K (if mom chooses)
On your side, we guide parents through a list of essential items to gather ahead of time. Here’s a breakdown:
Tablecloths: Disposable, plastic-lined tablecloths work well as protective layers for your floor and bed. We’ll teach you how to make your bed this way at your 36-week home visit!
Birth Pool (optional): Many mothers desire immersion in warm water and opt to check out a birth pool from their midwife practice. These are included with your care at Haven, if you decide you’d like to use one.
Extra perineal ice packs (for the first 24 hours)
Peri pads
Baby thermometer
Ibuprofen and arnica (if desired) for cramping/discomfort postpartum
Hydrogen Peroxide: We’ve found that hydrogen peroxide works well for cleanup, especially for removing bloodstains.
Additional Supplies: Prepare With the Five Senses
Creating a cozy, welcoming environment can have a positive impact on your birth experience. We encourage moms to think about the five senses when preparing for a home birth. How will you want your space to look, feel, smell, etc. for maximum comfort?
Taste: Have light, nourishing snacks ready. Fresh or frozen fruit, honey, or chilled watermelon are excellent options for a quick, easily digestible energy boost. Choose simple carbohydrates over heavy foods. Hydration is also important: coconut water is a fan favorite, as well as other electrolyte drinks.
Sound: Music can be powerful during labor. Some moms like playlists, and others prefer the gentle sound of a Christian Hypnobirthing app. It’s helpful to communicate your preferences about conversation and noise level to your team, as well. Think about what feels comforting for you.
Touch: Many mothers find relief from the weightlessness and warmth of a birth pool. Other physical comforts, like birth combs or Birth Weapons (small, textured balls that help redirect your focus from pain by stimulating other senses) or even a supportive hand giving you counter pressure or hip squeezes can also make a difference.
Smell: Essential oils or calming candles can create a peaceful atmosphere, though you may want to use these sparingly. For moms who feel nauseated, the scent of peppermint or eucalyptus oil can be helpful.
Sight: Your visual atmosphere can be inspiring and/or comforting. Consider writing affirmations or placing comforting images around your space. Maybe opt for dim lighting with string lights — whatever makes you feel calm and peaceful.
Preparing for Pain Management
One of the most significant aspects of preparing for a home birth is building mental and emotional resilience. This isn’t about avoiding pain, but recognizing that:
Your body was created and designed to give birth, and you are fully capable of doing so.
You must be willing to press in and trust that the process, though intense, is not broken.
It’s natural to feel moments of fear or resistance, especially during transition. As your midwife, I’m here to remind you that your body is capable and knows what to do. Every wave of intensity moves you closer to meeting your baby.
One of the advantages of a home birth is the freedom to move and adapt to what you feel your body needs. Trust your instincts. Changing positions, whether it’s standing, squatting, lunging, kneeling, etc. can all help your baby navigate the birth canal and possibly expedite the birthing process. The first contraction after moving sometimes feels stronger. This is your chance to lean in and TRUST — not run. Remember, your body knows what to do.
How to Prepare for a Home Birth: Final Thoughts
Learning how to prepare for a home birth combines practical planning, emotional readiness, and faith in your body’s abilities. With a supportive team, a comfortable space, and the right tools, you can set yourself up for a beautiful, safe, and empowering experience. And remember, your birth plan is just that — a plan. Be gentle with yourself if things shift, and know you’re in capable hands.
Dawn Swendsen, CNM, MSN, APRN
Dawn Swendsen, CNM, MSN, APRN, is a midwife at Haven Birth and Wellness with 25 years of experience in women’s health. She has participated in nearly 1,500 births in diverse settings across the U.S. With a background in Labor and Delivery, NICU, OB-Emergency, and the Main Emergency Department, midwifery became a natural progression for Dawn. She is passionate about empowering women through education and shared decision-making.
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Dawn now lives in Tennessee with her husband, Taylor, and their five children: Ezra, Lucy, Levi, Micah, and Jude. She enjoys running, camping, and outdoor activities.
Disclaimer: The content on the Haven Birth and Wellness website is created and/or reviewed by qualified Certified Nurse Midwives and healthcare professionals. We strive to provide accurate and detailed information for our readers. However, this blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Your own healthcare provider is best equipped to understand your unique situation and medical history. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any decisions that may affect your health.