Rebecca, a mother in the United States, made a conscious decision to give birth to her daughter at home with the support of a midwife. She wanted to make the event a special and memorable experience for her whole family, including her 3-year-old daughter Hunter. With careful planning and preparation, Rebecca was able to involve Hunter in the home birth process, allowing her to witness the arrival of her new baby brother, Rory. This unique and creative birth option has created lasting memories for the whole family.
Rebecca and her husband made a deliberate choice to have a home birth with their daughter present instead of giving birth at the hospital when Rebecca was pregnant with their son. The family believed that having Hunter participate in the experience would create a meaningful and memorable family moment. With the assistance of a doula and a birth photographer, Rebecca gave birth on their living room couch. According to Rebecca, one of the primary reasons for choosing a home birth was to allow Hunter to be as involved or uninvolved as she wished during the delivery process.
Furthermore, Rebecca also wanted to avoid having a water birth in a tub, as it would have prevented Hunter from being present for the birth. She stated that she wanted Hunter to witness the entire process, including the sight and sound of her brother being born. After the birth, Hunter was able to meet her new baby brother and even provided him with skin-to-skin contact, which helped establish a bond between the two siblings. Overall, the family described the experience as a beautiful and peaceful home birth.
As Rebecca was preparing to give birth to her son at home, her 3-year-old daughter Hunter joined her in the living room. With the assistance of a doula and a birth photographer, Rebecca delivered her baby on the couch while Hunter looked on. Hunter was initially hesitant but soon became more curious and involved as the birth progressed. She encouraged her mother and expressed her excitement about meeting her new sibling. When the baby’s head started to emerge, the midwife encouraged Hunter to be the first person to touch her brother. Hunter eagerly reached over, felt his head, and said, “It’s soft.” This special moment was captured by the birth photographer and will surely be treasured by the family for years to come.
While Rebecca’s decision to involve her 3-year-old daughter in the birth of her brother may not be shared by everyone, she stands by her choice. For her, allowing Hunter to be present during the entire process of her brother’s birth enabled her to establish a strong connection with him from the very beginning.
Moreover, Hunter was able to have skin-to-skin contact with her baby brother immediately after he was born, which further solidified their bond. Many adults may wonder how a young child could handle such an event, but according to the birth photographer, Rebecca had prepared Hunter by talking to her about everything she would see and hear during the birth. This made Hunter less likely to be surprised or scared, even when her mother was in pain and screaming. As a result, Hunter was fully engaged and didn’t look away for a second.
For those interested in involving their children in the birth of a sibling, Nicole suggests the best preparation is to watch birth videos together and discuss all aspects of childbirth, presenting it in a positive light. She believes that birth is a normal and natural part of life, and sharing it with children from the beginning can help teach them that it is nothing to fear, but rather a display of strength. Rebecca’s experience of giving birth at home with her daughter present shows that involving children in the birthing process can create a memorable family experience and strengthen the bond between siblings.
Including a toddler during childbirth is a personal decision that should be carefully considered by the parents. It can be a unique and memorable experience for both the child and the family, but it also requires adequate preparation and planning. It is important to explain the process of childbirth to the child in an age-appropriate manner and to ensure that they feel comfortable and safe during the process. Additionally, parents should consult with a healthcare provider to determine if a home birth is a safe option for them and their child. Ultimately, the decision to include a toddler in childbirth should be made based on what is best for the family and their individual circumstances.