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.

 

 

READ MORE:

Prepping for Your Homebirth Ultimate List (Birth Without Fear)

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.