Birth Supplies

This helpful guide is split up into FOUR PARTS:

  • The Birth Kit- these are all the disposable items that we require

  • Additional Home Items- stuff you probably have around the house already

  • Preparing Your Space

  • Waterbirth Supplies- additional supplies needed for waterbirth

The Birth Kit

You can purchase your birth kit here, as well as any additional items you want to add. These are all of the disposable items we need for your birth at home. If you have a negative blood type, please add 2 Eldon Cards to your birth kit.

Additional Home Items

In addition, please gather the following items and place them with your birth kit before your home visit at 37 weeks :

  • Flashlight with fresh batteries

  • Heating pad

  • Box of trash bags (white, kitchen size with drawstring) for laundry, trash, placenta, pillows, etc.)

  • 2 large bowls – 1 for placenta, 1 to catch vomit

  • Perineal ice pads or crushed ice in 3 or 4 sandwich bags for ice packs (for your bottom)

  • Hydration during labor: Coconut water, Recharge, Pregnancy Tea, etc.

  • Juice for after delivery (OJ, etc)

  • Snacks (fruit, nuts, etc) – for mother, friends, midwives (Your midwives love snacks! Cheese, popcorn, chocolate, humus, etc)

  • Coffee

  • Roll of paper towels (Viva is the preference because we might wipe yours or your baby’s bum with it! Don’t go cheap here.)

  • Box of your favorite ultra-absorbant sanitary napkins/pads (fragrance free)

  • Nightgown for after the birth

  • Diapers for baby

  • Extra people (support for children, gofer, etc.)

Optional Suggestions:

  • Chapstick

  • Popsicles or frozen juice cubes

  • Nursing bra & pads

  • Warm socks

  • 1-2 bottles Witch Hazel (refrigerate for use after the birth). Feels great on tears or hemorrhoids

Preparing Your Space:

When you think you are in labor, you will prepare your bed by putting the sheets you want for your postpartum on first. On top of this, place a fitted, waterproof mattress protector. On top of the mattress protector, place the sheets you don’t mind getting soiled by birth. Also bag up all of your pillows and place a pillowcase on top to protect them from blood or water. After your birth, we will strip the soiled sheets off your bed while you are in the shower and a clean bed will be ready for you and your baby to continue bonding in. In summary:

  • 1 set of clean sheets for use after the birth

  • Clean pillow cases for use after the birth

  • 1 set of sheets/pillowcases for the birth (sanitizing instructions below)

  • 1 fitted, waterproof mattress protector (no mattress bags, please)

  • At least 4 full sized adult bath towels

  • 3 additional towels if planning a water birth or laboring in water

  • 4 adult washcloths

  • 4 receiving blankets

These supplies should be washed and dried. Run these items through an extra dryer cycle and immediately place them in plastic bags.  Label the bags.  They will be opened as needed.

Waterbirth Supplies:

Many of these can be purchased at yourwaterbirth.com with coupon code: MBurgess for 10% off.

  • A birth pool (your midwife can provide one)

  • A liner (purchase here) (use coupon code: MBurgess for 10% off)

  • Pump to inflate the pool (air mattress pumps work well)

  • New garden hose for filling- do not use the fabric hoses

  • Wrench and adapters-for fitting hose to faucet to fill the birth pool

  • Sunk pump (provided by your midwife)

  • Extra, clean towels (4)

  • Fish net, brand new, for removing debris

  • Thermometer– the thermometer can float around in the tub during the birth to help maintain a temperature of 98-100 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Mirror – this comes in handy to be able to see if baby is crowning without making the mother move or change positions. Can also be used to help mother see progress as she pushes.

  • Flashlight – flashlight is used to see progress during labor as the dark environment, plus the water immersion, can make that difficult. It is also used to better gauge blood loss in the water.

  • Stool, chair – these are great for attendants to use around the tub so that their knees don’t get worn out from kneeling for long periods. A short stool might be able to be placed into the tub for the mom to facilitate a squatting position.

  • Birth ball- birth balls can be used in the shower, but make handy spots for birth attendants to sit on around the tub, can be a great tool for mom when laboring out of water.

  • Tarp – tarps are placed under the portable birth tub to protect the floor surface, and sometimes can be laid over the birth tub that has been filled or set up and is not in use.

  • More towels

  • Blankets- blankets are needed for the baby and the mother will likely need a blanket when she exits. A pallet can be made on the floor near the tub for mom and baby to sit on if a couch or bed are not nearby.

  • Flat flannel sheets – these are nice for providing modesty as a mother enters and exits the pool if she needs it. Someone can hold it up for her each time. These also work great as extra large towels! Also for making a pallet on the floor, or covering mom and baby after birth.