Why Staying Home During Early Labour Was the Best Decision for Me
Labour is one of the most transformative experiences in life, and the choices you make can have a huge impact on how you feel throughout the process. One of the best decisions I made during my own labour was staying home for as long as possible before heading to the hospital. At the time, I wasn’t sure if it was the right call, but looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Why Staying Home Matters
Midwives often recommend staying home during early labour, but why? For me, it came down to three main reasons: comfort, control, and better labour progression.
Comfort in Your Own Space
The moment my contractions started, I instinctively knew I wanted to be in my own environment. There’s something about being surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, and smells that makes a huge difference. I dimmed the lights, put on my favourite playlist, and moved freely between my bedroom and the living room, pausing to lean against my kitchen bench when contractions hit. At home, I wasn’t worrying about hospital policies, beeping machines, or unfamiliar faces—I was simply focused on my body and my baby.
Staying in Control
Labour can feel unpredictable, but at home, I felt in charge of my own experience. I had time to breathe through contractions without feeling watched or pressured to progress on someone else’s timeline. I took warm showers, swayed on my birth ball, and used my TENS machine—which was an absolute lifesaver. If you haven’t looked into hiring a TENS machine, I highly recommend it. The gentle electrical pulses helped take the edge off my contractions and allowed me to stay active for longer.
Better Labour Progression
The World Health Organization (2020) highlights the benefits of staying home in early labour, including:
- Shorter labours (by 3-5 hours on average)
- Lower rates of epidural use
- Less need for medical interventions, like synthetic oxytocin augmentation
- Reduced risk of caesarean section
- Improved birth satisfaction
I felt these benefits firsthand. By the time I arrived at the hospital, I was already well into active labour, and my body had been able to progress naturally without unnecessary interventions. I believe staying home played a huge role in that.
How to Manage Early Labour at Home
If you’re considering staying home for early labour, here are some things that helped me:
1. Set Up a Calming Environment
Dim the lights, play soft music, or use hypnobirthing tracks. Anything that helps you relax will encourage your oxytocin (your labour hormone) to flow.
2. Use Natural Pain Relief
- Warm baths or showers
- Birth comb (a small tool that works through acupressure)
- Gentle movement—swaying, rocking, or walking
- TENS machine (seriously, this was my best friend!)
3. Avoid Timing Contractions Too Early
One of the best pieces of advice I received was to avoid obsessively timing contractions. Instead, I focused on staying distracted—watching Netflix, chatting with my partner, and even baking cookies at one point!
4. Keep Oxytocin Flowing
Cuddles, kisses, and feeling loved all help your body produce oxytocin, which fuels labour. My partner was amazing at reminding me to breathe, rub my back, and just be present. Those small moments of connection made all the difference.
Trust Yourself
Of course, every labour is different, and sometimes medical needs mean heading to the hospital sooner. But if you’re having a straightforward pregnancy and feel comfortable, staying home in early labour can be an empowering choice. For me, it made all the difference in feeling in control, progressing smoothly, and ultimately having a birth experience I felt good about.
So, if you’re on the fence about when to head to the hospital, take a deep breath and trust yourself. Your body knows what to do. And if you do stay home? Grab your comfiest blanket, queue up a good playlist, and let your body do its thing—just like I did.