Five Reasons I Love When My Clients Choose To Labor At Home

Instead of rushing to the hospital or birthing center as soon as labor starts, some couples are choosing to stay at home as long as possible. These couples have planned with their care provider to labor at home until they feel the need to head to the place they plan to give birth. Most care providers will ask you to head in once your contractions are at 5-1-1 or 3-1-1. (You can learn more about what to do when you think you’re in labor here: https://www.downtowndoulaofomaha.com/4-doula-tricks-to-know-if-youre-in-labor/

Here are five reasons why I love when my clients choose to labor at home

It helps encourage Oxytocin and a faster labor.

Oxytocin (the love hormone) is an amazing, natural hormone your body produces. This hormone helps stimulate your contractions to get longer, stronger, and closer together. Being at home in your safe space, with your birth partner can help increase your Oxytocin levels. Back rubs, soft kisses, and snuggles can encourage your body to make more of this hormone.

You can eat the foods you like.

Most hospitals only allow you to have broth, jello, popsicles, and clear fluids once you’ve checked in. When you’re at home we encourage you to eat small light meals. Remember early labor can last 12 hours or longer. It’s best to fuel your body and to keep up your energy. Remember this is a marathon, not a sprint.

People find it easier to cope with pain.

Everything is easier when you are in a familiar place, even labor. Being in control can help with coping with labor pain, and you have much more control in your own home. You also tend to be more distracted by what’s going on at home, instead of the constant reminder that you’re in labor in a hospital setting.

Keeps away the temptation for pain medications or an epidural.

This is a great choice for those who are making the decision to wait as long as possible for pain medications or those who are choosing to have a medication-free birth. Laboring at home can REALLY help you stick with your birth plan/ birth preferences.

It’s a great time for bonding.

These are the last few hours before this new little person is here, it is a great time to sit, be still, and have those last few quiet moments with one another. It is also a fantastic way to invite your doula into your birth space. Once labor really gets moving and feels more like work, this is a great time to call your doula and ask for them to help, before you all head to your birth center together. This gives you, your birth partner, and your doula time to truly work as a birth team. As a doula, I quickly get a feel of how my birthing client copes with their pain, how their birth partner is coping, and how I fit into their team for emotional and physical support.

If laboring at home sounds like something you would like to try, talk to your care provider and get a birth plan started. Need help planning for your birth or have questions about laboring at home? Visit www.downtowndoulaofomaha.com and we will be happy to chat with you.

Until next time friends remember… Birth is amazing, no matter how it happens!!