Some women wish to experience the early part of labor at home. This approach has both risks and benefits. Be sure to consider both before deciding whether to:
- Labor at home and return to the hospital when labor gets stronger, or
- Remain in the maternity unit for the duration of labor
Remember: If you labor at home, you'll need someone to help you and drive you to the hospital when the time is right. If you have other children, you will need someone to care for them during this time.
The Benefits of Laboring at Home
- You may be more at ease in the comfort of your own home.
- You can move around freely without the monitoring required by hospital staff and procedures.
- Labor sometimes improves at home.
- Family and friends can support you at home.
The Risks of Laboring at Home
- Labor and delivery can progress rapidly. It is not always possible to predict when this might happen.
- If labor progresses rapidly, your baby may be born before you can reach the hospital. You would not have access to services such as physicians, nurses, pain medication and emergency surgical procedures (e.g., cesarean birth).
- Then benefits of laboring at home may decrease if you are anxious or uncomfortable about it.
Comfort Measures
If you labor at home, these things might make you more comfortable:
- Taking a warm bath
- Resting in a bed
- Rocking in a rocking chair
- Listening to music
- Drinking liquids
- Having a massage
- Meditating
- Lying on the floor with your feet up
- Doing last minute things for the baby or for your other children
Don't wear yourself out with too much activity! This is a time to rest, relax and prepare yourself for the birth of your baby.
Come to the Hospital Immediately if:
- Your bag of water breaks;
- You notice vaginal bleeding similar to the start of your period;
- Your contractions suddenly become closer and more painful;
- You contractions become strong and regular, especially if they are less than 5 minutes apart;
- You are concerned about yourself, your baby or how your labor is progressing.
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