Shhh! I’m planning a homebirth!
Has the thought of what your family would think prevented you from seriously considering a homebirth? Or are you planning one but not sure what your family will say? If so, you’re not alone. While the choice of birthplace is ultimately up to the parents, it can feel like everyone has an opinion and no hesitation to share it with you.
First, you’re in good company. About 20% of midwifery clients in Ontario plan to have their babies at home. Midwives in Ontario deliver about 4000 babies at home a year. So you can let your family know that your birth will be attended by the only health professional in Ontario trained to deliver babies safely at home. And home birth is a safe place to bring your baby into the world. Canadian research has shown that important health outcomes are similar whether your low-risk birth happens at home or hospital.
For more information on the safety of homebirth go to
Make sure they know what a homebirth actually involves. Many people think midwives show up to homebirths with a bucket for hot water and some string. The reality is that midwives bring state of the art equipment, medicine and supplies.
But isn’t it messy? You wouldn’t believe how many times we are asked this question, so chances are good that if you are planning a homebirth you will be asked to. The good news is that having your baby at home actually isn’t that messy at all. We will provide you with absorbent pads and give you information on how to prepare your bed and floors. By the time your midwives leave you will have one bag of garbage and one bag of laundry.
Remember that you can always bring family members or friends to your midwifery appointments too. We would be more than happy to answer their questions. Sometimes meeting a midwife who looks like a reasonable human being can go a long way to reassure worried family members. And don’t forget that at the end of the day, the decision is ultimately yours.
For more information, including videos, go to https://www.ontariomidwives.ca/home-birth
