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
One 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. 🙂
My 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!
I 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.
Interesting… you’re so brave! And also, what is the crockpot for? Keeping towels, blankets, etc. warm?
Yes 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!