We're Having a Homebirth!!

If you've looked high and low for good children's books on homebirth, you're not alone. Kelly Mochel was on the same search and decided the best solution to the lack of books would be to write one. Her hard work produced the wonderful We're Having a Homebirth!!

It's an excellent little book. As soon as I opened the package my kids were all over me asking "Mama, mama, will you read it?!" So I read it, and we all loved it.

The book is perfectly sized for little hands and the illustrations are bright and friendly. The text is written in very child-friendly language. Your little ones will be able to understand it as you read, and a beginning reader can work through it with some help from you.

The story is written from the point of view of a "big sister" waiting on the new baby. Your child sees the inside of a big Mommy belly along with her, and takes a visit to the midwife. I really love the picture of the "Mommy belly." It's a good image for your curious little ones wondering just how their new baby is fitting inside you.

The descriptions of the midwife and her role at the baby's birth are lovely. Mochel did a wonderful job including the supportive role the midwife plays for Mommy, and how she helps the rest of the family.

There's information on what Mommy may do in labor - different positions and comfort measures (including the tub) - and noises Mommy may make. I always tried to make noises with my children before I went into labor, so they'd know what to expect. Mochel has included this in a completely open, non-threatening way for your little ones.

There are a few pages where "big sister" is watching the birth of her new baby sibling. I like the pages, which show Mommy, baby, umbilical cord, and placenta. The illustrations are simple and anatomically correct (for Mommy) and are tastefully done. Mommy is, as many homebirth mommies are, not wearing any clothes. These aren't in-depth medical diagrams, but they do show pubic hair and the baby's cord coming from Mommy. As I noted, the illustrations are tastefully done and I didn't hesitate to show them to my kids.

The book closes with "big sister" seeing how her new baby brother nurses, and a birthday celebration (complete with a cake!) for him.

All in the book is incredibly cute. It's very down-to-earth and the illustrations are bright and fun. The book is a great starting point for discussing home birth with your own child. It's not easy to find good homebirth books for children - be sure to order We're Having a Homebirth!! - and get a copy for your midwife's lending library, too!