Part of my birth plan is to labour at home for as long as possible, until it is time to go to hospital.
Research has shown that labouring at home (where safely possible) is one of the best environments as women tend to feel more safe, secure and undisturbed in their own familiar environment.
As I am preparing for labour (also see What I’m Doing in the 3rd Trimester to Prepare for Natural Labour and Birth) I am setting up my home environment to make it as cozy and comfortable as possible. Here’s how to create the perfect labouring / birthing at home environment.
How to Create Your Own Nesting Area For Early Labour
Create a safe, dark, cozy “nest” – a place where I can labour and retreat to to get into the zone. The perfect environment for labouring at home (and for giving birth) is:
- warm
- safe
- private
- quiet
- dark
Here’s how you can create your own safe environment:
- Dim Lighting: Dim light with candles and salt lamp, Fairy lights
- Candles: LED candles are easy, safe and don’t smell / stink (LED candles can also be brought into hospital as they’re not a fire risk).
- Adjust Heating / cooling to make your environment as comfy as you desire at that time
- Aromatherapy: Peppermint for nausea (place on a tissue to smell)
- Cozy cushions, fur blanket,
- Setup Soundbox to play favourite music (check out the Amazon Warrior Labouring Playlist)
Calming Tools During Early Labour
- Early Education: Make sure you’re educated prior to labour starts and plan for a natural birth plan (the more informed you are, the more your mind will be at ease)
- Music / Hypnobirthing / Guided Meditation: Now is the time to prep your favourite labouring music or choose your hypnobirthing app / tracks. My choice is to listen to the hypnobirthing tracks on my phone (I use Blessed App) and I’ve already tested out the contraction timer that is inbuilt in the app. Make sure that you have a contract timer on your phone and that you test it out prior to labour, so you know HOW it works, and that you understand how it works. Relaxing Soothing Earthly Amazon Warrior Labouring Playlist
- Birth Affirmations: I’ve created a list of my own favourite birth affirmations which I am placing around the nesting area (e.g. place them around your bedroom / nesting area, toilet / bathroom door so that you are constantly reminded of the positive words to remind yourself how strong you are! You got this mama!
Pain Management at Home During Early Labour
- Tens machine: start this as early as possible. The electrical impulses can reduce the pain signals going to the spinal cord and brain, which may help relieve pain and relax muscles. They may also stimulate the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. How I plan to use the Tens Machine: pulse width 150, pulse rate 120-150, mode normal (pad placement on back 2 pads just below the bra line, 2 pads around panty line)
- Hot shower
- Hot bath with Epson Salts with 3 drops vetiver 2 drops geranium 1 drop bergamot
- Staying ambulant / active / moving during early labour is one of my goals as it will hopefully help me with surges as they come and go. My goal is to walk, and try different positions to see what works for my body, and to see what works at the time.
