You’ll probably be able to find many of these items around the house or by asking friends and family. Ask your midwife what they expect you to have ready at home as well.
For You and Support Team:
- Birth plan and insurance forms
- Friends and family contact list
- Birth ball
- Thermometer
- Bendy straws
- Hydrating liquid, like coconut water
- Easy snacks, like energy bars or honey sticks
- Food for your midwife and support team
- Lip balm
- Hair ties
- Music playlist, ideas
- Essential oils / diffuser
- Candles
- Coconut oil
- Hand mirror (for viewing baby during birth if you like)
- Camera and memory card (our favorite high end camera)
- Extra towels and washcloths
- Plastic sheet, shower curtain, or water proof mattress cover (this is also handy for months of breastfeeding and the leaking that happens while you sleep)
- 2 sets of sheets to fit the birth bed
- Several bottles of hydrogen peroxide
- Flashlight
- A few large yard waste garbage bags, and several kitchen size
- Adult diapers
- Large pads
- Padsicles or ice packs
- Peri bottle
- New Mama Bottom Spray
- Sitz Bath
- Nipple cream
Are you planning on a water birth at home? Here’s some ideas for what you might need. Check with your moms group to find items for borrowing.
- Birthing pool with a liner
- On a tight budget? Use a kiddie pool a padded bottom is key
- Air pump for inflating your birthing tub. It might need to happen fast!
- Lead free drinking water hose, for filling the pool
- Faucet to hose adaptor
- Drain pump to remove water from your birthing tub
- You can definitely know by touch if the water is too warm but here’s a floating thermometer if you want to make sure
For Baby:
- Ear bulb syringe
- Umbilical cord care powder (quickly dries and disinfects)
- Baby hats
- 5-10 Receiving Blankets
- Newborn and size 1 diapers
- Cloth diapers, although we recommend waiting a few weeks
- Velcro swaddle
- Wipes
- Diaper rash cream