More and more women are choosing to give birth at home instead of a hospital or birth center. Some choose home birth for the comfort and freedom it provides, while others may do it because it may be more financially suitable to them.

No matter why you choose to have a birth at home, you need to know that it still needs many preparations to have a safe birth for you and your baby. Knowing what to expect during a home birth is important because it helps you in planning your birth. Here are what to expect during a home birth.

• While birth at home can be safe, experts believe that giving birth at the hospital or birthing center is the safest option for mother and baby. Doctors advise against home birth if you have a high-risk pregnancy. A high-risk pregnancy is when you have an increased risk of complications due to any factor, such as carrying more than one baby or having had any complication during your current pregnancy or a previous one.

• If you have any complications during birth, your midwife will call emergency services or advise taking you to the hospital immediately. Additionally, if your baby is not correctly positioned, you will be taken to the hospital; therefore, despite all your preparations, you might end up giving birth at the hospital.

• Your vital signs, such as blood pressure, will be taken periodically at home instead of being under constantly under monitoring at the hospital.

If your doctor has given you the ok to have birth at home, the first step is finding a midwife you feel comfortable and confident about. Here are other preparations you need to make before you go into labor.

Classes
Going to birth classes can help you learn you need to know about birth. This can be very helpful when the time comes.

Backup
Arrange with a second midwife in case your first choice was unavailable at the time of delivery.

Physician
It is highly recommended that you have a physician present or on-call during birth.

Transportation
You need to ensure that you have a reliable means of transportation ready at the time of birth in case you need to get to the hospital quickly. You should also prepare a bag for the hospital in case you were transferred.

Items
Your midwife will give you a list of items you need to have ready when it is time to give birth. Prepare these items beforehand so you do not have to do it when you are in labor.

For Baby
Do not forget to prepare items your baby will need after birth, such as diapers and clothes.