Preparing For A Homebirth

As my time draws closer I begin preparing for my upcoming homebirth in three different ways. Read on to find out all I like to have on hand for a successful natural birth at home.

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The Birthing Tools

To prepare for a homebirth two things are certain. For one, I am also, preparing to have a natural birth, and second, I am designating a space in my home for the event. For me, this means I like to start collecting my supplies at around 37 weeks. I have never had a baby that early and this always gives my family and I plenty of time to have everything ready. But, not so early that I feel like I am waiting forever for labor to finally start.

My midwife provides me with this kit every time. It has all the necessary medical supplies for the birth.

What you need to prepare for a homebirth

When it comes to birth there are a few things I like to keep in mind. Some things are necessary to have and most of these will be provided by your midwife. Some things are just nice to have just in case. My midwife provides me with a list of things to have for the birth and I can share it with you but check to see what your midwife wants you to have.

I like to keep a heating pad in my birthing supplies but I have never actually used it for labor, I usually use it to keep the newborn warm during the newborn exam. The massager was a gift I may or may not use this time.

For Labor

• Rice/Heating Pad – During labor I like to use them as comfort measures. I prefer a heating pad because I often use it for the newborn exam after birth.
• Snacks- Fresh or frozen fruit, vegetables, cheese, protein bars/mix, cereal honey sticks, or fruit juice. I don’t ever feel like eating during labor but I often want something sweet to drink I often do coconut water but this time around I’m trying some Body Armour Drinks.
• Bed protector and an extra set of cheap bed sheets. I always plan a water birth but in case I need to deliver in bed I like to make sure my mattress is protected.
• 6- 8 bath towels and 6-8 washcloths – I have designated birth towels at this point.
• New clean water hose if you are having a water birth. I like to use a drinking water safe water hose, also you might need an attachment like this one so you can hook it to your faucet.
• Large trash bags and trash can.
• Hamper lined with trashbag for soiled linens.
• Placenta bowl- This can be a stainless steel or glass bowl to hold your placenta after birth. Especially important for delayed cord clamping.

I just buy the cheapest possible bed sheets and plastic mattress cover.

For Immediate Postpartum (24- 48 hours after birth)

• Adult underwear (Depends) or medium flow pads. – My midwife provides the mesh underwear like the hospital uses as well as the hospital size pads for the first 24 hours of heavy bleeding. After adult underwear is so easy and much more comfortable than pads. If you are resting your bleeding should ease up within the first week postpartum.
• 6- 8 receiving blankets (I like muslin blankets better I find them softer), baby hat, and coconut oil. I do not dress my baby for at least 24 hours we just sit in bed and do skin-to-skin. Newborn diapers and wipes.
• Afterease Herbal Supplement, Arnica, or Ibuprofen– I like to keep things as natural as I can but the after-birth pains can be as strong as labor especially if this is not your first baby. I like to have options to keep me comfortable.

Make sure you have a new hose and an adaptor for your faucet.

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Preparing for a Homebirth Extras

These are all the extra things that I like to have on hand for my homebirths. I know they are not necessary so I always prioritise the stuff in the need category first. If budget is a concern know that you need very little and your midwife should provide all of the safety equipment.

Labor

• Headphones, phone with music, or positive birth affirmations.
• Diffuser with essential oils. I go into more detail about what I picked and why here.
• Comfy dress and sports bra to labor in. (In case my kids walk in, I have 5 boys)
• I like waterbirths so a birth pool is something I always want.
• Silicone straw make it easy for someone to give you a drink.
• Quiet and dimmed lightroom. I am hoping this will be my newly finished master bedroom if it gets done in time.

I love water births I have had 3 now and am planning on a fourth. We actually set up our pool thinking I was going into labor. Yes, six pregnancies in, and it can still be confusing.

Postpartum

• A robe that way I can be covered up but the baby can still nurse and do skin-to-skin.
• Comfy socks, there is just something comforting about a nice pair of socks after birth.
• Nipple cream, and silver cups. Newborns have a lousy latch, nursing hurts at first no matter how many times you have done it before.
• A good iron supplement my midwife always recommends is Floradix.
• Stool softeners trust me you want these.
• Healthy meals think of proteins and good fats. Remember your body will be trying to recover while you make enough milk to sustain your baby. Postpartum is not the time to count calories.
• Comfortable underwear, and I like cloth pads after the first week postpartum.

I got gifted a MomFrida Postpartum Kit after my 5th baby but never got to use it so I will be giving it a try this time.

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What do you need for the baby?

Believe it or not, you need very little for a baby for the first few days. What I pack in my Birth Box is just a couple of hats and soft blankets. The baby and I just do skin-to-skin and sit in bed for most of the first day after birth so we actually do not need much.

Instead of towels, I like to use old muslin blankets to dry and clean the baby. I like that they are softer in that new baby skin. I also keep a couple of hand-me-down hospital hats to help the baby start warm those first few hours.