Should Your Dog Be Part of Your Birth Team? Safety Tips, Pet-Parent Guilt and Everything In-Between.

The author with her husband and golden retriever at a pregnancy photoshoot.

When I imagined giving birth, I pictured my husband by my side. A calm and dim lit space. My labour playlist on in the background as I move through the surges.

What I didn’t picture was my golden retriever quietly becoming my own personal midwife.

Tony spent most of my labour right by my side.

He didn’t bark.

He didn’t fuss.

He simply stayed close, often right behind me while I sat on the floor breathing through my surges, almost to make sure I had enough back support.

I wouldn’t change those hours for the world.

But would I recommend that every family does the same?

Not necessarily.

Protect your birth environment

As a hypnobirthing practitioner, one of the things I talk about the most is creating a birth environment where your body feels safe, calm and supported.

Birth is deeply instinctive. Just like other mammals, we naturally seek quiet, familiar spaces where we feel secure. It's one reason so many labours begin overnight, when the world is quieter and we're able to relax more easily.

When we feel safe, our bodies are better able to release oxytocin, the hormone that powers labour surges and supports bonding after birth. It's often called the "love hormone" because it flows most easily when we feel relaxed, loved and surrounded by the things that comfort us.

For me, that looked like music, a warm bath, the soft familiarity of my favourite dressing gown (which stayed with me all the way to the hospital) and, most importantly, my good boy Tony.

Can dogs really increase oxytocin?

A number of studies have highlighted how interactions between humans and dogs such as stroking or simply gazing at each other, can trigger an automatic relaxation response. Some of the findings from recent research show that just 10 minutes of interaction can significantly lower stress hormones while releasing mood-boosting chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin [1, 2, 3, 4]. In my case, the interaction might have even involved being fed bits of the same banana as my birth partner looked after us.

While research hasn’t yet addressed if having a dog in labour improves birth outcomes directly, there is value in considering how a familiar, calming pet may help some people feel more relaxed, becoming an additional resource in your hypnobirthing toolbox. The key is discovering what helps your body feel calm and supported.

Why we chose not to have Tony at the birth itself

Although Tony stayed with me throughout labour at home, we’d already decided he would not be present for the birth itself.

If I’m honest, I just couldn’t shake the image of our newborn arriving covered in golden retriever fluff!

As soon as we left for the hospital, we had arranged for family to collect him.

He came home the following day, giving us the chance to introduce him to our son in the calmest environment possible, despite running on very little sleep and suddenly finding ourselves responsible for a tiny new human.

My husband greeted Tony first to burn off some of the excitement. That still ended with an enthusiastic playfight and a broken pair of glasses.

Once everyone had settled, our two boys finally met.

Looking back, it was exactly the right decision for us.

It’s not the right choice for every dog

While I always encourage birth partners to attend my hypnobirthing classes so they feel confident supporting and advocating for the mother, it's a little harder to brief the dog beforehand.

Jokes aside, not every dog has the temperament for this kind of experience.

Some may become distressed seeing their owner work through intense surges. Others may become overly protective or anxious, creating another situation for someone to manage.

If you're planning a home birth, it's also worth thinking about how your dog is likely to react to unfamiliar people, medical equipment and midwives coming into their space. Will they be overexcited? Nervous? Protective?

During labour, both you and your birth partner will have your attention elsewhere. Having someone whose sole role is to manage the dog, if needed, can make a huge difference.

And while I joked about the fur, hygiene and practicality are genuine considerations too.

Making your decision guilt-free

One thing that may be keeping you from making a decision, and something I hear from parents time and time again, is pet-parent guilt.

Guilt about asking somebody else to look after your dog while you're in labour.

Guilt that your once undivided attention will soon be shared with a tiny new human.

Guilt that your dog's routine is about to change.

If that's you, you're certainly not alone. In fact, a 2024 study found that dog-related guilt and changes in a dog's behaviour after the arrival of a baby were associated with parents' anxiety and depression [5]. It's a reminder that welcoming a baby is a huge transition for the whole family, including the four-legged members.

Choosing to give your dog some space during labour, arranging care while you're in hospital, or taking time to carefully plan introductions isn't pushing them aside. It's recognising their needs alongside your own. The most loving decision isn't always keeping your dog involved in every moment. Sometimes it's creating an environment where everyone feels safe, calm and supported.

Tony was an incredible source of comfort during my labour at home, but sending him off with family before we headed to hospital was still the right choice for us. I don't feel guilty about either decision because both came from the same place: wanting the very best for every member of our family.

Whether your dog curls up beside you through early labour, spends the day with a trusted friend, or simply greets your baby when you arrive home, there isn't a "perfect" choice. There's only the choice that feels right for your family, your birth and your dog.

Preparing Your Whole Family

If you want to give yourself the best chance of a calm, positive experience, preparation is key.

I'll help you prepare for birth through hypnobirthing, and I'm delighted to be collaborating with Dog Meets Baby to help families prepare their dogs for life's biggest transition too.

Whether you're planning a home birth and wondering how your dog might cope with the environment, or you're thinking ahead to those important first introductions, Dog Meets Baby has you covered with a range of self-paced, online courses that share guidance on how to prioritise both your baby's safety and your dog's wellbeing. Their First Meeting Course has a module dedicated specifically to dogs and home births.

https://courses.dogmeetsbaby.expert/a/2147868580/fxLm8eeM - Pre-baby courses

https://courses.dogmeetsbaby.expert/a/2147868583/fxLm8eeM - A free Preparation Checklist

And it doesn’t end at pre-baby preparation! You can find further support for when your baby becomes mobile with dedicated Dog & Toddler courses and additional helpful resources.

https://courses.dogmeetsbaby.expert/a/2147868581/fxLm8eeM

Whether your dog ends up quietly supporting you through the first stages of labour like Tony did, or simply waiting to meet your newest family member when you get home, thoughtful preparation helps everyone start this new chapter with confidence.

Feeling ready to prepare for birth with personalised support? Explore The Quiet Tide’s one-to-one hypnobirthing courses and book a consultation.