New Montreal mom and baby resting together.[/caption]Many of my clients have lamented about the fact that they wished they could have a home birth, but whatever reason it wasn’t possible:

They were not able to secure a spot with one of our three birthing centers in Montreal. When there aren’t enough midwives, there are not enough spaces for the women who need them.

They were not 100% comfortable with the idea of birthing out of a hospital, and wanted to be somewhere where they felt emergency care could be available immediately if needed.

Their partner didn’t feel that birthing at home was a good idea.

There was a medical issue that made it necessary for them to birth at a hospital.

Regardless of the reason, one common question was always, “How can we make the hospital feel more like a home birth?”

There’s no easy answer to this because, if I’m being truly honest, the two are completely different. A home can be a place where you innately feel safe, where you are surrounded by your own belongings, and where you have all your creature comforts.

A hospital can be impersonal, clinical, and unfamiliar for most people.

There is always a way to try to bridge this gap. First off- think of the things that you will need to feel safe. For most women that means having their partner by their side, ready to help and support them. Next up, having a doula there to serve as their secondary support person, who knows the ropes at the hospital and can help guide them so the territory doesn’t feel so uncharted. By setting up a great support system and bringing familiar faces with you, you can eliminate the feeling of unease and make your space more personal.

From your long list of “what to bring to the hospital” you can choose a few items that will guarantee to make you feel more at home. At the top of this list-
– your pillow and a small blanket (no, not your king size duvet!)
– your own comfortable clothes. A good example would be some loose pajama pants and a camisole or loose t-shirt.
– a room spray that reminds you of home
– music that makes you happy and relaxed

Making sure to pack your favorite snacks and drinks can help to create a more home-like atmosphere. Most hospitals don’t advocate for eating during labor, so they don’t even offer you any food. But, you’ll need energy (and so will your partner!) so it’s best to have some yummy food on hand just like you would at home.

This is only the hitting the tip of the iceburg in how you can make your hospital birth feel more like a home birth. I have so many more tricks up my sleeve, and suggestions that I make to my doula clients in our prenatal meetings.

Happy Birthing! 😉