Siblings attending a home birth

Naomi Hannah, Doula, shares advice on whether or not it is alright for your other children to witness your home birth, and how to help prepare your children for your home birth
Should Your Children Attend Your Home Birth?
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Siblings attending a home birth

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If you are planning a home birth and you are wondering what to do with your other children, it's very important that you prepare them for this experience. Let them know what to expect and have a special person there just to take care of their needs during the birth. Children are very good at knowing what they can handle and removing themselves when they need to take a break or coming in when they know they are welcome. It's important that they can come and go when they need to. It's important that they know they are going to see certain things like blood and they know that doesn't mean that their mom is hurt. It's important that they know that their mom is not going to be able to talk during parts of the labor and that doesn't mean she's mad at them. If you can show them videos to anticipate what they are going to see, that's even better. They can help you prepare for the birth. They can help you pick out sheets. They can help you pick out music. They can have special food for them or movie that they can watch. When you have older siblings be a part of the experience, then that is their experience. That baby is their baby, so there is less rivalry.

Naomi Hannah, Doula, shares advice on whether or not it is alright for your other children to witness your home birth, and how to help prepare your children for your home birth

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Naomi Hannah, CNM

Certified Nurse Midwife

Naomi Hannah is a midwife who has worked in several birth settings: she has been a Doula, a Certified Professional Midwife, a labor and delivery nurse, and is now a Certified Nurse Midwife. Naomi has approached the many facets of birthing from various angles; a birth center, a home birth practice, and currently a hospital-based practice. She lives in Taos, New Mexico, with her partner of 13 years and their two children, Eden who is 10 and Ezra, seven, both born with the help of known donors. Her personal experience and professional skills have made it possible to help other women conceive at home with alternative insemination.  She is also a singer-songwriter who has taught preschool music classes. She enjoys sharing music with her children and watching their musical language unfold. 

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Transcription: 
If you are planning a home birth and you are wondering what to do with your other children, it's very important that you prepare them for this experience. Let them know what to expect and have a special person there just to take care of their needs during the birth. Children are very good at knowing what they can handle and removing themselves when they need to take a break or coming in when they know they are welcome. It's important that they can come and go when they need to. It's important that they know they are going to see certain things like blood and they know that doesn't mean that their mom is hurt. It's important that they know that their mom is not going to be able to talk during parts of the labor and that doesn't mean she's mad at them. If you can show them videos to anticipate what they are going to see, that's even better. They can help you prepare for the birth. They can help you pick out sheets. They can help you pick out music. They can have special food for them or movie that they can watch. When you have older siblings be a part of the experience, then that is their experience. That baby is their baby, so there is less rivalry.