This post is part of our Grace for the Pregnant Mom Series. See all our posts here.
Preparing for a home birth requires some basic supplies to be on hand. Of course my midwife will have all the medical supplies, emergency provisions, and a few other comfort items like a birthing stool, but I am required to make sure I have several items sterilized and ready when it comes time to bring our baby into the world.
Below is a combination of the supply list my midwife supplied me with along with several other things I would like to have on hand.
Please remember I am not a certified midwife or any other medical professional. I’m just a mom looking to share her experience.
My Home Birth Kit
Digital Thermometer
1 box of cotton swabs
1 bag of cotton balls
1 package of Under pads
1 Box of Overnight Menstrual pads
1 bottle of hydrogen peroxide
Garbage bags
Pain Reliever – Herbal & Midol (yes, I won’t be all natural)
2 spray bottles
4 towels
6 washcloths
2 hand towels
2 flat sheets
baby hats
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Facial tissue
Receiving blankets
Coconut oil – for massage and nipple care
Almond oil – for massage
Lip balm
Sitz bath herbs (I might try this recipe)
Fresh ginger root (knife and grater ready)
Crockpot
Electrolytes (coconut water or this Labor-Aid looks good)
Orange Juice (in case of low blood sugar)
Herbal tea (especially Red Raspberry Leaf)
Doesn’t really seem all that impressive, but I have looked at this list so many times my eyes are going cross. I have everything I need that was requested by my midwife and a few more things to add to my home from my “comfort list” before labor begins. As precaution, I plan to pack a hospital bag just in case we have to transfer for any reason. I don’t want anyone to have to think of anything in those moments!
And with that, we’re almost 37 weeks! I cannot wait to meet our new little family member!
What items would you add to this list?
Don’t forget to follow my Pregnancy & Childbirth Pinterest Board for more information on natural pregnancy and birth!
Other posts you may like:
- Why I’m Planning a Home Birth
- Why I’m Not Planning a Water Birth This Time
- Preparing for Labor Day {Scripture Encouragement for Pregnancy}
- Preparing for Labor Day {Another Divine Analogy}
- Timothy’s Home Birth Story
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Preparing for Labor Day: Scripture Encouragement for Pregnancy
Carrie
September 4, 2013 at 8:14 amOne thing I always suggest to people is putting something down on your mattress just in case your water breaks in your bed. (Obviously, if you’re having a home birth that is more likely. :-)) I didn’t even think of it. But with my first my water broke all over my bed (and then the labor was so fast we ended up having a home birth) and so our mattress got pretty dirty. 🙂
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Leigh Ann
September 6, 2013 at 3:26 pmMy water (twice now) doesn’t break until right before delivery. BUT def a good idea! We put a shower curtain under our sheets just in case I wanted to be on the bed for pushing as well as to help with after delivery. I will tell the whole story later but shower curtains are a big help and lots of underpads!
Carrie
September 4, 2013 at 8:15 amI don’t see a way to contact you, but I was wondering if your readers might be interested in this series my sister and I did on our blog last October. (http://wholesomewomanhood.com/category/31-days-of-pregnancy/) We talked about preparing for our upcoming home and birth center births.
Thanks again for doing this series! Praying for you as you near your due date.
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Rachel @ Grayberry
September 4, 2013 at 10:12 amInteresting… you’re so brave! And also, what is the crockpot for? Keeping towels, blankets, etc. warm?
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Leigh Ann
September 6, 2013 at 3:23 pmYes that’s exactly right. Plus the ginger root goes in to make a nice, soothing compress that comes in especially handy during pushing and post delivery!