List of Home Birth Supplies to Collect

In preparation for your home birth you don’t really need a lot of extra supplies, and many items you likely have already at home. There are some supplies that you can gather together to make your labor, birth and postpartum preparation seamless. It is helpful to keep your supplies in a bin, box or table covered up and ready for when labor starts. Some items like an umbilical cord ring, clamp your midwife will either suggest you purchase in a home birth kit like this https://www.radiantbelly.com/gentlemama.html or she may provide them for you. 
As a midwife and home birth mama, I prepared a list with rationale of items to collect. You don’t need all of these items, but you may find many are helpful to have available.

                                                        Home Birth Supplies to Collect

                                                                    Nourishing items

•  Hydrating electrolyte drink (Recharge, Emergen C, Laboraide, some mamas like to make a recipe like this https://www.mommypotamus.com/how-to-make-a-labor-aid-electrolyte-drink/ or https://www.carolinevencil.com/homemade-labor-aid/ ) To keep your endurance up during labor and replenish after the baby’s born.
• Juice Another drink to keep endurance up and for a replenishing pick up after the baby’s born.
• Snacks, food for mama, daddy & children (It is helpful to have some meals in the freezer for postpartum preparation) It is important for mama and support people to keep snacking during labor to keep energy up. A nourishing meal that is already prepared and just needs to be heated after the baby’s born is so helpful.
• Straw https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Straws-straws-Cleaning/dp/B00AJG5E1U It is helpful for mama to have access to a straw to drink so she doesn't have to move much to drink.
                                                       Comfort Items for Mama
•  Hair ties To keep hair up and out of the way. 
• Lip balm Lips can get dry during labor.
• Robe, sports bra or other comfortable items that you may like to labor in (naked is ok too!) It is helpful to have a clean robe to put on easily, some mamas like sports bras in labor. Skin to skin is best for mama and baby once baby is born.
• Music, affirmation cards, psalms,  candles, essential oils or other items that you like that may give you comfort Think of some tools that help to focus, relax and gather strength.

                                                                      Items for Birth

• Chux pads Catches bodily fluids, these may be in your birth kit if you are ordering one.
• Stainless steel mixing bowls (2-3) 1 bowl for vomiting, 1 bowl for the placenta.
• Hydrogen peroxide (2 bottles) For removing blood stains.
• Hand soap Just a reminder in case you are out.
• Toilet paper Just a reminder in case you are out.
• Laundry soap Just a reminder in case you are out.
• Clean blankets for baby that are ok to be stained (5-7) For immediately after the birth.
• Clean  hand towels (4 or more) For hand drying.
• Clean towels (8 or more) For drying mama after showers and being in birth pool.
• Clean washcloths (5 or more) For cold & hot compresses.
• Clean rags or old towels Can be used instead of washcloths and chux pads.
• Crock pot (if planning a land birth) To keep water warm for compresses.
• Extra clean sheets for bed (it is helpful to put one set underneath the other set with a waterproof barrier i.e. shower curtain, tarp, plastic tablecloth or plastic sheet, in between so the it easy to take the soiled layer off) It’s so much easier to have a clean set of sheets under and ready to go.
• Plastic sheet, tarp for underneath birth pool To protect from bodily fluids.
• Plastic sheet, plastic tablecloth or shower curtain for underneath bed sheets To protect from bodily fluids.
• Trash bags (1-3) Just a reminder in case you are out.
• Olive or coconut oil For the baby’s bottom, put a tiny amount to help meconium (the baby’s first bowel movements) come off easily.
• Thermometer To track mama & baby’s temperature.
• Postpartum meal As mentioned above, a meal will be some cherished after the baby’s born.
• Baby diapers, outfit (if you desire to have baby dressed initially) However skin to skin with baby is the best for breastfeeding, bonding and regulating baby’s temperature.
• Pads for mama (avoid the brand Kotex, they are known to cause irritation postpartum ) and perhaps freeze some postpartum pads with a recipe like http://www.modernalternativemama.com/2014/04/18/making-postpartum-padsicles-plus-bonus-perineum-healing-spray/ or http://www.hobomama.com/2015/02/make-your-own-soothing-postpartum-pads.html Postpartum pads that are frozen can help with swelling in the first hours and days. Additional postpartum pads are need for lochia, postpartum bleeding that lasts around 2 weeks.
• Peri bottle or clean dishwasher liquid bottle Used to gently clean with water mama when using the bathroom and perhaps herbal sitz bath. Much more comfortable than using toilet paper in the first week or two.
• Clean undies or mesh panties https://www.radiantbelly.com/meshbriefs.html , bra and breastfeeding friendly outfit (if you desire to have clothes on) However skin to skin with baby is the best for breastfeeding, bonding and regulating baby’s temperature.
• Nipple salve or ointment Its helpful to have to put on after breastfeeding as nipples may be a little sore in the first week or two.
• Magnesium powder (CALM is a good brand) To encourage mama to have a soft stool after the baby’s born.
• Car seat installed and gas in car In case of hospital transport during labor or after the baby’s born.

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