homebirth supplies

Just like packing your hospital bag in advance, I encourage expecting mamas to prepare a homebirth kit regardless if they are planning to birth at home or not. In the event of a very quick labour or if once you are in established active labour you decide to stay home (always discuss if homebirth is a good option for you with your midwife. Of course homebirth is not an option if primary care is with an OBGYN) having your supplies compiled and ready to go saves any stress and panic later on. Many of these supplies apply even for a hosiptal birth and most items needed, you probably already have in the house! It's also a good idea to keep everything in a box/basket in a central location so they can be accessed without you during labour.

Here's a pretty bare bone list of what's helpful to have on hand:

-lots of towels and a few face cloths (older ones work best, absorb more and are much softer)

-plastic sheet or shower curtain to protect mattress

-disposable incontinence pads used to catch leaking fluids and protect furniture etc.
-Hydrogen Peroxide for getting small drops of fluid out of carpet/furniture if need be
-a flashlight and a mirror (attendants can peak at what's happening without disturbing you)
-a peri-bottle to use after birth: keep in the bathroom filled with warm water or this postpartum spray to rinse yourself and make eliminating more comfortable
-Depends, Tena or other brand for postpartum (trust me!)
- bendy straws for easy drinking
-a bowl for birthing the placenta into
-a couple of extra large ziplock bags for placenta
-a couple of garbage bag lined laundry baskets: one for garbage, one for laundry

Add comfort items as needed/desired but really preparing for a homebirth is substantially less work than you may think! Of course talk to your attendants on what items they will be bringing with them, many are surprised to learn just how well equipped midwives are when providing care at a homebirth.

I get a lot of questions wondering about how messy homebirths are so I'll address those in a separate post.... stayed tuned!