delivering your child at home what you need to know

A nine month tedious pregnancy leads to the most important day – the day your baby is delivered. Most doctors get the due date wrong, and you can never be absolutely sure about when your baby is going to make their grand entrance. Predicting an effortless delivery might not come true.

In the off chance that you go into a labour while at home, you need to ensure that these steps are followed.

Step 1

Call the hospital if you did not intend to have a home delivery. Until then, continue with step 2 until help arrives. Make sure your hands are thoroughly sanitized before you proceed with anything. Also, call you husband, parents, in-laws, friends or relatives – anyone who can arrive fast enough to help.

Step 2

Collect clean blankets, towels, and bedspreads for around the house. Your clothes will do too. Use pillows and cushions under your back to ease the back pain. Make the area as comfortable as possible.

Step 3

Ease yourself to a position that is comfortable for you. Lying down with a your back slightly propped up will help you notice if your baby’s head is visible. Make sure you do not stand when you feel immense pressure, as this might push out your baby, resulting in a fall from a height. Your baby will suffer serious head injury of this happens.

Step 4

Stay as calm as you can, though this is easier said than done, as this is the only way you can deliver your baby with ease. It is the only way you can think straight to go ahead with the delivery at this point.

Step 5

Do not start to push your baby until you have an immense urge of pressure to do so. Pushing beforehand might wear you out. Breath between every 5 second push.

Step 6

Time your contractions. If they exceed a certain time period, you might have to go to the hospital. A 10 minutes interval between every contraction is normal. If they are 5 minutes apart and last for 60 seconds, there might be a problem.

Step 7

While pushing your baby’s head, if you notice the umbilical cord around the neck, it is important that you, or the person helping you with the delivery, avoid tugging or pulling the baby. Gently loosen the loop around the nick until your baby comes out. Avoid cutting the umbilical cord and wait for help to arrive.

Step 8

If your baby’s body gets stuck after you have pushed the head, avoid putting pressure on your stomach or rubbing it. Instead, take deep breathes and continue to push. Avoid tugging or pulling your baby. Do not touch your baby until his/her head comes out completely. Do not touch your baby’s back or bottom when you see it protruding.

Step 9

After you baby is completely out, bring your baby up to your stomach or chest. If the umbilical cord is not long enough to pull your baby up to your chest, try and stimulate lactation in your breasts this will help the umbilical cord dispatch on its own.

Step 10

Keep your baby warm with all blankets and towels. Wipe and keep them warm until help arrives.

Step 11

Check if your baby is breathing. Clear out your baby’s nose in case of any fluid or mucus in their nostrils. Use your fingers gently or use a sterilized cloth to clear their nose. If he/she is still not breathing, rub your baby’s body briskly.

Step 12

Prepare to release the placenta from your body. Rub your stomach briskly under your belly button. Use a bowl close to your vagina and start to push your placenta out. You are likely to ooze out blood, but don’t worry because this is common.

Make sure you have these ready:

1. Your doors should be kept open to make it easier for aid to come in as soon as possible. Get help from neighbours or a midwife by calling them.

2. A bowl of warm water.

3. Sterilized towels, clothes and a room.

4. Keep the room at a fairly warm temperature.