How to Deliver a Baby at Home (emergency situation)

Before you get close to giving birth, it's a good idea to have an understanding of how to give birth. We all - men and women - would aim for a predictable and peaceful birthing process. However, surprises happen. It's always a good idea to be prepared for having a baby en route to the hospital or, in my case, in the front hallway.

I'll discuss what you should do months in advance to prepare for the birthing process as well as what you can do in that unexpected emergency moment.

I'm not a doctor or a nurse so please do not take this as medical advice. The following is what I did to prepare for birth and to handle an unexpected home birth.

Unfortunately, there's no easy 7-step process to giving birth since so many variables exist. When in doubt, get on the phone with 911 and ask questions and for help until in-person help arrives.

1. Prepare for the Birth Months in Advance: Consider using a program such as Hypnobirthing or Hypnobabies in order to learn how to relax. Did you know birthing a baby does not have to be painful? These CD sets, self-study or in-person courses can teach you how to relax and move with the natural flow of your body to have a baby with peace and little to no pain or drugs. I myself used both of these methods, and my husband thought I was asleep when I was in labor!

2. Prepare for Birth Hours in Advance: If you know birthing will happen soon or within a day or so, be sure to hydrate yourself and to eat if you can. You will need the liquid and energy from food. If you can't eat, try sucking on popsicles to get some kind of energy for the work ahead.

3. Get a Good Birth Partner: Your birth partner should be able to assist you in the event of an emergency birth. If you choose to use the Hypnobabies program mentioned in item #1 above, then have your partner read the section on emergency birthing plans.

4. Dial 911: It should go without saying to call 911. We were on the phone with the midwife, who provided some information to my birth partner. She told my partner to call 911. Sometimes a mother's water breaks before the baby arrives (sometimes not). If the water breaks, and they are green, then call 911 immediately. In certain cases, this means meconium has leaked into the amniotic sac and can cause Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS).

5. Unlock Your Door: If you have called 911, be sure to unlock your door when you can. You don't want them stuck outside while you're trying to help catch a baby. If you can unlock the door sooner after calling them, that gives you time to figure out a less intense time to leave the mother alone to complete this task.

6. Lie Down: If you stand while giving birth, the baby will come very fast. That can cause tearing and more blood loss. You may wonder why on earth would someone stand while giving birth. Well, when you're in the birth zone, hormones take over and a birthing mother may not always make the best decisions. (I was one of these mothers!) Try and lie down, which should help slow the baby's entrance into the world. If you're lucky, it can halt the entrance until a midwife or paramedic arrives.

7. Ask the Mother How to Help: She may not be able to express herself very well, so it's probably best if you offer items and let her nod yes or no. Offer water, popsicles, a back rub, steamy hot shower to start. Don't take it personally if she curses at you. She's dealing with intense sensations.

8. Don't Rush to Cut the Cord: If you're the birth partner and catch the baby, don't feel you must rush to clamp or cut the cord. All that will happen is some more blood will move from the placenta into the baby, and some people think this happening is just fine. In fact, some midwives recommend waiting to cut or clamp the cord. The baby may turn purple from the extra blood. You should make sure the baby is breathing and that the cord is not wrapped around the baby's neck.

9. Get the Mother to Lie Down After Birthing: The mother should lie or sit down after birthing the baby. In my case, I was covered in blood so I sat in the bathroom until help arrived.

10. Note if the Baby's Head Hit the Floor: You will want to have as much information as possible for the staff at the hospital. If the mother was standing during the birth, try and remember if the baby's head hit the floor. If you are not 100% sure, then have them run an MRI or sonogram to check for injury.