Selecting your birth support team

Image by www.verwonderfotografie.nl

There is a lot to consider when deciding who you want on your support team and what you want their role to be. In this post we outline the main support roles and things to consider when planning your homebirth.

Your partner. 

Assuming you have a partner, they are likely the person who will be your main support for the majority of your labour and birth. They will be there from the first signs of labour to the snuggles and cleanup after your little one arrives. It might be helpful to come up with a list of jobs they can do during early labour when you might not need as much support from them, for example notifying care providers, ensuring phones and cameras are charged, and setting up the birth pool. Having a physical list for them to tick off can be useful, rather than relying on memory in what can be an exciting and emotional time. Remember that this is a big event for them too, and when things get more intense they may also require support from the rest of your team to get some reassurance or rest. 

Older children. 

The ability to have older children present and involved in the birth is a big attraction for many families, and depending on their age, older siblings may be able to take on a support role. They can be given jobs to do like taking charge of snacks and water. If they are young, they may require an additional support person to care for them. Read our blog post on involving siblings in homebirth here!

Other family members or close friends. 

Many women choose to have their own mother, sisters or other family members or close friends support them during labour and birth. Sometimes this may be in more of an observational capacity, for example a grandmother watching the birth of her grandchild. Other times family may provide practical or emotional support. It is important to discuss what you'd like their role to be prior to the big day to prevent any confusion or disappointment. It's also important for family to consider how they might cope with seeing you in labour, as some people may find it distressing if they aren't prepared or feel like they don't know how to help.

Your midwives.

Most homebirth families choose to have a midwife support them. It is also a requirement in Victoria for a second midwife to be present for the birth itself to ensure adequate care for you and your baby. Throughout your antenatal appointments you'll develop a relationship with your primary midwife and create a detailed birth plan. They will likely arrange for you to have some of your appointments with the other midwives in their practice so that you will already know the second midwife who attends your birth too. You will also have a longer birth preparation appointment at around week 36 of your pregnancy which can be a chance for your whole support team to meet and discuss who will take on what roles and responsibilities.

Early in your pregnancy, don't be afraid to meet with a few different midwives to ensure you find one that is a good fit for your family. Most midwives provide a no-obligation initial meeting which may even be bulk billed so that you can get a feel for what they can provide.

Student midwife.

Although you will already have the gold standard in continuity of care if you have hired a private midwife, some women also like the added support of a student midwife. Student midwives are required to follow 10 women through their pregnancy, birth and postpartum period ontop of their professional placements in order to obtain their certification, and can accompany you to appointments and scans, as well as providing additional practical and emotional support without any cost to you. Many student midwives are keen to gain experience with homebirth and this can provide invaluable experience for them if you feel comfortable. You can connect with a student midwife on the HBV website or Facebook group.

Doula. 

Where a midwife provides practical and medical support, a doula's role is usually more focused on emotional support. Not every family feels this is necessary, but a doula can be particularly helpful if this is your first birth or you don't have the support of family. You will usually have several antenatal appointments with your doula so they can get to know you and your wishes for the birth. Again, don't be afraid to meet with several doulas to find one who is a good fit. Read more about the role of doulas in homebirth in this blog post! Student doulas can also be a great option, particularly if cost is a barrier, and you can also connect with student doulas in the HBV Facebook group.

Birth photographer. 

Hiring a professional photographer and/or videographer to document your labour and birth is becoming increasingly popular. This can be an expensive addition to your support team, but some people choose to look at it the same way as hiring a wedding photographer - it's an investment in photos that you'll treasure for the rest of your life. There are lots of birth photographers around, so have a look at their websites/instagram pages to find one you like the style of. Some doulas also offer birth photography/videography as part of their services, but you may need to discuss whether you want to prioritise the photography or the emotional support. If you're not sure about hiring a photographer or can't afford one, your midwives will be happy to snap some photos on your phone or camera!

This post aims to provide an overview of all the different support people you may wish to have at your birth, but of course you don't need all of them. Many women choose to freebirth with only their partner supporting them or even on their own! It's up to you to decide how many support people you'd like at your birth, and what you want each of their roles to be. Also remember that's it's okay to change up your support team at any point - even during your labour! If you're feeling observed and want some time alone or just with your partner, don't be afraid to ask for it. It's your birth, and you know best what is going to make you feel safe and supported.

Resources

• Partner birth story episodes on Elsie's podcast Birthing at Home: A Podcast

• The Great Birth Rebellion: Episode 28, How to be a great support person