The Ultimate List of Home Birth Essentials

Don’t forget your affirmations! Via Practising Simplicity

This time of year (spring) brings me back to three years ago … pregnant and planning our first home birth. The smells and visions of spring remind me of the swirling emotions of excitement and anticipation as we got ready to welcome our little babe.

For our own homebirth, we were quite minimalist, and only had a few things on this list. Thus the list below is the ULTIMATE (though not exhaustive) list. For all you big-bellied mamas in full nesting mode, here is your daily dose of therapy. Sending love and relaxation your way ❤ Please add your own must-haves in the comments below!

LABOR & BIRTH

COMFORT

Birth Pool (click here or here for a great guide in choosing the pool for you)
Ice (for cold towels for face/transition)
Crock pot with hot water and thick washcloths (for perineal compresses)
Yummy Lip Balm (the more natural the better, real peppermint is a good scent for labor.)
Headband
Rice sock

DIY Rice Sock

Birth stool
Comfy Bra or sexy bikini (top)
Birth Ball (aka exercise ball)
Birthing skirt (any long, stretchy skirt will do)
Soothing Music
Hot Water Bottle and/or Heating Pad
Bathrobe
A fan

Photo by The Road is Home

CALM

Your mantra or Birth Affirmation
Playlist with soothing music
Wine or a shot of vodka
Rescue Remedy Gum
Candles
Post-its with Affirmations
Hypnomama program

Labor-aid Recipe by Farmish Momma

NOURISHMENT

Labor Aid or a homemade electrolyte drink (think fresh coconut water, lime, raw honey, and sea salt.)
Chocolate
Mama Natural’s Essentials for a Natural Childbirth
Bread, almond butter, banana, honey
Honey sticks
Runner’s Gu (these are kind-of gross but essential for a mama that doesn’t want to drink anything but water during labor)
Red Raspberry Leaf Infused Ice Cubes
Miso Soup
Scrambled Eggs

UTILITY

Flashlight or head-lamp for midwife
Thermometer for tub
Mattress protector (or another waterproof layer for your “Bed Sandwich”)
Hose, Faucet Connections and Pump to empty the pool
Bendy Straws
Fish net for birth pool “floaters”
Towels and rags that can be thrown away
“Bed Sandwich” (BWF has very good directions here)
A couple of buckets or large, unbreakable bowls (Sister friend, you never know what you might need these for, but trust me, you’ll need them)
A couple of waterproof shower curtains, including a large one for under your birth pool
Dark-colored, soft towel for baby
Bathrobe

HERBS & ESSENTIAL OILS

Bach Flowers Rescue Remedy
Lavender Essential Oil (for relaxation, aromatherapy and massage)
Peppermint Essential Oil (for nausea)

POSTPARTUM

Photo via Rhythm of the Home

COMFORT

Peri-bottle with comfrey tea
Rebozo for abdominal wrapping (reduces cramps)
“Pad-sickles” with witch hazel, aloe vera, jojoba, sitz bath herbs or honey
Motrin
Comfy pajamas

CALM

Playlist calming music.
Wine
Frankincense Essential Oil, for Aromatherapy
Read Plant Therapy for Postpartum Peace of Mind

NOURISHMENT

Chocolate (for the hormone shakes)
Food in the Freezer
Emergen-C (for re-balancing of electrolytes)
Coconut Water (see above)

UTILITY

Peri bottles (including extra in every bathroom)
Depends
Chux
Mesh panties (as many as possible)

HERBS & HOMEOPATHY

Arnica
Herbal bath
Lavender Essential Oil
Wishgarden Herbs After Ease Tincture
Shepherd’s Purse Tincture
Motherwort

“The after-pains after #4 were no joke. I used clary sage essential oil* on my abdomen and black pepper EO on my lower back. I diluted them in coconut oil. About 5 drops to a tablespoon of coconut oil.” ~ mama

Peaceful Postpartum Tea
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Comfrey tincture, calendula tincture, and lavender essential oil to put in the peri-bottle. A dropper-ful of each tincture and a few drops of lavender oil into warm water.
Arnica and Hypericum 200c for after birth.

Postpartum Herbal Essentials

**Note ~ if this is your first baby or you have experienced problems with milk supply in the past, use caution with clary sage or other sages, as they naturally reduce milk supply. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK YOUR PROVIDER.