Labour/home birth Essentials

On the back of Lazarus’s birth, before everything was erased from my memory, I wanted to write down some of the things I found most useful to have on hand. Of course ‘Essentials’ will be different to everybody and depending on what birth you are hoping for, but these are some of the things I found useful!

1. Homeopathic remedies

   I started exploring homoeopathy a few years ago and while I am still getting a grasp of it have seen it dramatically impact our family for good and meant that we can turn to natural remedies when we have something come up. We use homoeopathy for everything from colds to headaches and aches and pains. I naturally started exploring which remedies could be used for labour and beyond. I have a Helios basic remedy kit and a friend lent me her kit which more specifically has remedies for labour. I also called up Helios, as they have a helpline where they can suggest/prescribe and ordered a few key remedies that I could have on hand if there was a large bleed/to help the placenta away which had been the case in previous labours.

2. birth tracks

   If I could have anything going into labour it would be birth tracks. I had worked with a birth trauma resolution therapist and so I had an audio that she had created for me that I had playing. I also had signed up to the Christian hypnobirthing app so I had the tracks on there which were a mix of bible verses, affirmations and truths for specific scenarios. And then I had also chosen to do an online course with birth-ed and she also had a list of tracks. I had a mix of these playing through earphones almost the whole time and they kept me grounded and peaceful.

3. combs

   I didn’t use these as much as I thought I would but I was thankful to have them on hand. The comb acts as a distraction, squeezing it when a contraction comes, and when particular areas on your hand are stimulated they can help reduce pain. I used them on and off throughout the labour.

4. essential oils/diffuser

   I looked into a number of different oils for labour but settled on keeping things simple. I used lavender on a tissue to smell with my contractions (lavender is a highly calming scent for me) and then I had a clary sage roller to hand to which is thought to induce contractions and bring calm. I used this one.

5. birth ball

   I loved my birth ball during my third trimester as I was struggling with sacrum and pelvis pain. Being on the ball meant I could still be with the kids at bedtime but could be on the ball rather than on the floor. I found it was helpful in labour to lean over and mix up my positioning. Some people like to rock on it during labour or find a position that feels comfortable for them. I got mine off vinted. There’s lots about!

6. boody bra

   My plan was to photograph/video this labour more than the other two, but, the end happened so quickly we didn’t get round to documenting anything! I knew however, that I didn’t want to be fully naked and wanted to have a comfy bra on! I wore this bra in the last month or so of my pregnancy! It wasn’t the most supportive bra ever as I’m on the larger bust side but enough support that my boobs weren’t belly bound. It seems like they’ve discontinued the one i’ve bought but the one i’ve linked seems to offer more support!

7. water/straw

   I wanted ALOT of water during labour and because I was throwing up so much I wanted to make sure I was staying hydrated. I used this water bottle as most times Joseph was holding/handing me the water as I was working through something. Also I love these stainless steel straws if you aren’t wanting to purchase a water bottle, but also means someone can pass you some water and you can sip freely!

8. breathing techniques

   I knew from previous births that labour was a bit of a mind game and as soon as I had fear or panicked the contractions felt more intense. I knew I wanted to stay calm and I knew the breathing would help with that. My birth tracks incorporated a lot of breathing but I mainly just knew in my head that in that early stage I was breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth. I was sighing a lot in this stage, humming, praying. I wanted to keep my mouth moving as it can help open up down there! The second stage was a lot deeper heavier sighs as I felt my waters break and the breaths became more like a blow. The Birth-Ed course helped me with this!

9. tens machine

   I have used a tens machine in all of my labours and would highly recommend one. It works by small electrical impulses being delivered to the affected area of your body and giving a tingling sensation. The electrical impulses can reduce the pain signals going to the spinal cord and brain, which may help relieve pain and relax muscles. My labour pains have primarily been in my back and so I have loved using this as a tool!

10. Birth Partner/Doula

    An obvious one. But, Moses’s labour was primarily without the support of Joseph (because of covid) and I totally lost my peace because I was longing for his guidance and reassurance and was in an unfamiliar setting! I knew I wanted this one to be different and it would be because we were planning on a homebirth. Find the people or the person that makes you feel the safest!!! Share everything with them. Educate them on everything you’ve researched and learn together too! I had also planned for a doula who is a friend of mine and was visiting from America the same time I was due. I’d read people have incredible experiences with doulas and say if there was anything to invest in it would be one! Because of how my birth went the timing didn’t end up right, but would totally go for one again!