What Supplies Are Helpful for Your Homebirth?

If you are planning a homebirth there are some things you will want to have on hand before the delivery. In addition to these supplies your midwife will bring other things along so talk to her before purchasing anything you may or may not need.

First off it's a good idea to clean your home a week before you are expecting to go into labor. Then it will be easier to keep up with it and organize stuff in the days before your baby is born. Your home has germs but those are ones that you are used to as it's your own environment, a hospital is full of diseases and harmful organisms that are much more dangerous therefore they try to keep the labor rooms as sterile as possible. It is a good idea to clean with vinegar and water or Lysol if you prefer but don't worry about disinfecting everything, it's just not necessary. One idea for sterilizing baby blankets and towels and other birth items is to place them in a paper bag and cook in the oven for 2 hours. This will kill any germs lurking but will need to be repeated if it's done too soon before your little one arrives. Your midwife may have more thoughts on how to keep certain items clean and ready.

Things that are useful during labor and birth include a comfortable and clean bed. You can waterproof it with a vinyl shower curtain or buy a mattress pad protector. Some people use newspapers or pads (like that used in hospitals) to absorb additional amounts of fluids and they can be easily tossed. The bed should be comfortable but make sure it's firm enough not to sag. You might want to place a clean sheet underneath the plastic one so that when you strip your bed after the birth it will be ready for you to relax on.

Clean towels will most definitely be used. It is a good idea to have between 6-8 sterilized and easily accessible.

Disposable menstrual pads will also be necessary (of cloth if you prefer). You might use them in the beginning if your water has broken and for sure you will use them after the birth when you are bleeding.

Receiving blankets for the new baby; clean and sterilized. 4-6 should be enough to get thru the first 24 hours.

A small table to set up supplies on is helpful as is a good lamp so that your midwife can see well and make sure to have an extra light bulb, or two.

A heating pad may be desired to help ease pain during labor. Hot towels may work as well.

Oil for a massage, your husband or midwife may help you with discomfort by massaging your lower back or other areas when you are in pain. Oil is also helpful to massage the perineum area to help it stretch out so you are less likely to tear when pushing the baby out.

A large thermos or pots with lids to keep warm sterilized water in them for washing the vaginal area before and after the birth will be useful. Also clean wash cloths for the same reason.

A thermometer (though your midwife will likely bring one) but this way you can monitor your own temperature and that of your newborn.

Rubbing alcohol and antiseptic solution may or may not be necessary but both would be good to have on hand.

A large bowl to catch the placenta, which you may or may not have plans to keep.

Make sure to have plenty of cloth or disposable diapers for your newborn.

Easy to prepare meals and snacks to both during labor and afterwards, remember that your midwife will likely be hungry as well especially if she has been there for several hours.

The above are just some ideas of supplies you may need for your homebirth but your midwife will likely let you know what to have ready and what she will bring. It's also a good idea to let your neighbors know and possibly put a note on your front door so that know you are giving birth, they may very well overhear you and wonder what's going on.

If you are planning a home water birth there are places to buy or rent a large pool and hose so see what's available locally and what your midwife recommends.