Birth supply list
Household items needed for the birth:
- 10 large, clean bath towels
- 6 Pillows
- 6 clean wash cloths
- Two sets of clean sheets, pillows and pillowcases. – one nice set and one old set
- 1 package sanitary pads, medium size (for ice packs)
- 4 tall kitchen garbage bags and one laundry basket or bag
- Garbage bags for pillow protection
- Large bowl for placenta
- Flashlight with new batteries
- Gown or shirt that opens all the way down the front and socks (for mom)
- Crock pot or large pasta pot (3 or 4 quart size) with lid for warm compresses or heating birth tub
- Olive oil
- Crushed ice for labor drinks and for ice pads
- Lansinoh or other breast cream for sore nipples
- Sports Drink (Gatorade or vitamin water or organic substitute NOT sugar free!)
- Juice for after the birth
- An herbal perineal sitz bath is included in your birth kit but do consider witch hazel pads, Dermaplast anesthetic spray or EarthMamma AngelBaby or Moverlove bottom spray for ongoing perineal care should you need a repair.
- Prune juice and/or docusate sodium (stool softener available over the counter)
- Hemorrhoid balm/cream (Motherlove makes one)
- Emergency phone numbers (Nearest hospital, phone number to it, address), address of home, telephone of home and phone number of birth partner, etc posted on fridge AND on the wall in the room in which woman hopes to give birth.
- Full tank of gas in the car
- Packed hospital bag with: nightgown, going home outfits for mom and baby, toiletries for mom, small snack for dad, insurance card, mom’s ID, copy of prenatal records
Items needed for the baby:
- Baby clothes and blankets (wash everything beforehand, in Dreft or All Free and Clear or Babyganics)
- Diapers in newborn size or size 1
- Newborn caps
- Digital thermometer
- Inexpensive home glucometer to take blood sugar in a poor feeder or extra large or small newborn. Don’t open it prior; can return if not needed.
- Carseat base installed in car if using a base
- Infant carseat
For midwives:
Have a place for midwife and/or assistant to rest (couch, bed, air mattress) with covers and pillows. Can be in open area; you don’t need to use a bedroom. Please also have food, enough for at least two meals, easy to prepare but substantial as well as snacks and caffeinated drinks.
Nice to have items:
- Camera and or camcorder.
- Ibuprofen/Tyleol/Wishgarden AfterEase for afterpains
- Favorite/relaxing music.
- Prepared frozen meals for the week after birth.
- Candles, aromatherapy/essential oils (especially lavender), diffuser etc.
- Heating pad or rice sock (especially good for afterpains)
- List of phone numbers to call loved ones after birth.
- Rocking chair, glider, or chair with arms for nursing baby. Footstool is also very helpful.
Food & drink items:
- Fruit juices, Vitamin Water, herbal teas, or other electrolyte water without sugar or artificial ingredients
- Light food for mom, with protein.
- Eggs and bread, enough to feed scrambled eggs and toast to everyone after the birth.
- Flexible straws or water bottle with straw
- Coffee and food for staff and guests – we really do get hungry!!!!
Preparing the Birth Room
- Get all supplies and birth items ready one month before your due date. (about 36 weeks)
- All clothing items and bed and bath linens for the birth should be washed, dried, folded, and placed in clean plastic bags and sealed tightly. Store in a convenient place four weeks before your due date.
- The birthing room should be clean, warm, and free of drafts and smoke.
- A dresser top or other surface needs to be cleared for the midwife’s equipment and covered with newspaper or other protection.
When you go into labor (or anytime in advance) you can make up the bed as follows:
- Cover the mattress with one set of good sheets (your regular sheets).
- Completely cover the clean sheets with a plastic cover (a shower curtain liner works the best).
- Cover the plastic with the birthing sheets (remember that these will likely get blood on them).
To protect the floor, use ONE of the following:
- Plastic carpet runners, tarps, or table cloths.
- 6-inch stack of newspapers (careful on light colored carpet – the ink may bleed onto the carpet).
Practical Guidelines
- A stress-free atmosphere will allow labor to progress more normally.
- Anyone attending the birth must be supportive of home birth and not have any current or recent illness.
- If young children are to be present at your birth, have an adult there to care for their needs (someone other than your husband/partner/support person).
- No unmanageable, intrusive pets unrestrained in the house during the birth.
- No smoking in the home during labor, birth or postpartum. Baby should never be exposed to smoke. Ideally, smokers should change clothes before entering the house after smoking.
Links to birth kits. Note: Precious Arrows cannot give the vitamin K injection to consumers. If you are choosing the oral vitamin K, there’s a box to add it. If you are choosing the vitamin K injection, you can get it from us generally at the home visit.
Having your supplies is REQUIRED to deliver with us. If you already have some supplies you can compare to ours and see what else you need but all supplies MUST be there by the 35-37 week home visit where we usually bring the kit. If you refuse/put off purchase or forget to purchase the birth kit in a timely fashion, and we need to provide emergency supplies, there will be a $300 supply fee. Occasionally we have donated supplies available for Medicaid clients (determines financial need) but please do not count not this.
Waterbirth Kit: https://www.preciousarrows.com/MidwivesCare_LLC_Custom_Waterbirth_Kit_p/80211-66.htm
Your hose and faucet adapter are included in this kit!
Standard Birth Kit: https://www.preciousarrows.com/MidwivesCare_LLC_Custom_Birth_Kit_p/80211-65.htm
