Originally this was going to be a blog with homebirth kit needs but it ended up turning into an all inclusive birth kit and postpartum needs so even if you're not doing a homebirth but expecting a little one please feel free to keep reading because there is a ton of info in this blog!
I hope it helps you in your journey through pregnancy, labor and birthing your gift!
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If you're thinking of having a homebirth.. first congratulations on your new bundle! And what a wonderful exciting way to welcome your new one into this world!
I had my daughter at home 2.5 years ago and any day now I am about to welcome our son into the world in the comfort of our home!
We are quite excited and I think I finally have everything together? Well, ok maybe not but I'll still be ok. I have the essentials. Which side note--
This list is above and beyond the essentials. I have added many other niceties that are not necessities. You can discuss with your homebirth midwife what you really need and then decide if you'd like to have the other extras around for just in case!
With having 2 homebirths I actually had 2 different midwives. I made the mistake of finding my midwife very late in my pregnancy last time around and kinda got "stuck" with what I found. So I encourage you to start doing research ASAP if you're pregnant and thinking of a homebirth. Look around at your options of your midwife. Ask to meet up with them and get a feel for their personality.
You want to feel comfortable with them and trust them completely. Obviously this is a very intimate time and one that is also very important as your life and your newborn child's life is in their hands. You want to be as calm as possible the day of your birth and of course throughout the pregnancy as well.
Without further adieu.. lets get into this list!
In no particular order...
The More Essential Essentials - your midwife may have a similiar list
- Old towels and washcloths - most midwives may recommend 4-8 towels and 4-8 washcloths - you may prefer to toss some of the towels and linens once soiled so they don't have to be new! You shouldn't have issues with anything staining but I wouldn't use anything you really don't want to ruin.
- Crockpot - not necessary but nice if you want warm moist washcloths available
- Extra bed sheets
- 2 extra blankets
- Clothes for baby; sleeper, undershirt, socks, diapers
- Receiving blankets/ muslin cloths
- Extra pillows and pillow cases
- Underpads/chucks - disposable for on the bed, sold at most pharmacies/walmart/target. For directly after birth and also for as long as you will be bleeding post partum, especially during sleep if your pads don't hold up. You may even want one on the couch or chair you use to sit and nurse at. (I nursed a lot laying down because I had a very strong flow that was better slowed down for baby to handle by laying down on my side)
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| towels, washclothes, muslin cloth, pads, papertowels, baby clothes, plastic shower liner, underpads, container for placenta - yes! saving my placenta to encapsulate! Check out my blog on it! |
- Large maxi pads - oh fun!
- Witch hazel - this is a must and so amazing! Check out my how to on padsicles!
- Trash bags, at least 2 large plastic bags
- Paper towels - full roll
- Basin
- Bucket
For Mom
- Warm socks/fuzzy slippers for mom
- Comfortable nursing or sports bra - I preferred to wear a soft thin sports bra to labor and deliver in. It was easy to nurse in and comfortable throughout labor and delivery. But feel free to let it all hang out if that's your thing!
- Robe - I don't remember using one but it's always nice to have one especially post birth
- New pajamas - perhaps button down or those made for nursing. Just a nice little gift for yourself if you want new pajamas.
 Nasal aspirator (Love the nose frida!) |
| Nose Frida! Works so much better than a bulb aspirator in my opinion! It's great even as they get older and have issues blowing their noses. My daughter occasionally asks that I suction her nose ! Don't worry, there's a filter! You won't be eating snot! |
You may not need these others pictured
right away but it is nice to have something for gas or colic on hand for new infant and of course a thermometer. Although with my daughter she went through a bout of fussiness and nothing really seemed to work. I just purchased the Colic Ease from WishGarden so we'll give that a try this time around if lil man has issues.
- Plastic sheets/shower curtain/large roll of plastic -- I personally purchased a mattress protectant to keep on the bed at all times that is vinyl free (partially because our 2 year old sleeps with us and it's nice in case my water breaks in the bed) Last time we bought a large roll of plastic and placed it down on the entire carpet floor of the bedroom because I had a kiddie pool to labor in. We still have some of that plastic leftover but I also purchased plastic shower curtains to have if I want them on the carpet or under a sheet on the bed.
- Kiddie pool if you plan to labor or birth in water - I only labored but did not care to deliver in water. I delivered her on the floor while on my knees. I'm not sure what will happen this time. I recommend researching this if you're thinking of it. Do what you feel is best but look into your options for birthing in the water. Also discuss this with your midwife.
- Tubing to fill pool - there are different options. Decide where you will have the pool and be sure to measure the distance from your sink or tub. Also realize that the tub will need emptied! We purchased this blue tubing from lowes for about $1 a foot. There are different options. Do a trial run and make sure that your hook-ups work from tub/sink to pool. There are also tubing options that can drain the pool. I believe my husband mostly emptied the pool last time with a bucket. Thanks hubs!
- Fish net scoop for any little goodies that show up in the pool during labor
- Mini bucket for birth aide/doula/hubby to pour water over you for distractive sensation purposes
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Ambiance and pain relief
In addition to water therapy if you so desire, you could also use aromatherapy/ essential oils and set the ambiance with music or meditative audios and dim lighting.
I used my oil diffuser last time and will again this time but am also adding meditative - hypnobirthing type audios and have hung christmas lights in our bedroom and bathroom where I plan to labor and birth.
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- A mirror to see "down there" if you wish. Beforehand or during labor and delivery. If you're in the water your midwife may appreciate this as well as it can help her see your bottom depending on your positioning.
- Evening primrose oil for the last few weeks. You can take it orally and also insert it vaginally. My midwife recommended at 37 weeks I could take 2 orally in the mornings and insert 3 at night just before crawling into bed. Place them up far as close to cervix as you can get. You can cut them open or leave them whole. They will dissolve. But definitely use the potty beforehand because they can slip out if you try to go again after inserting them. You can then up the dosage by one capsule each route every week.
- Cocoa butter - you've probably heard of this one for skin stretching! Unfortunately tiger stripes and stretch marks are often considered genetic but do what you can and hydrate that skin! Of course drinking lots of water can help and I have heard vit A and vit C in the diet can help with skin elasticity too.
- Baby wipes - for mama's sensitive bum before or after birth. Think constipation and hemmorroids. I personally try to combat this with prunes and dates and have had much luck both times around. I also started popping prunes after my daughter was born because everyone scared me with their horror stories of that first post baby BM being so terrible but guess what!? IT WASN'T! Don't believe everything you hear. Stay in your positive bubble and ward off negative stories! Not everything has to be horrific and scary! There are NATURAL ways and natural remedies. - - - I'll be doing more blogs on this to come!
- 6 dried dates a day. This is a mid eastern trick to soften everything below and make labor and delivery easier. They say 6 dried dates a day for the last 30 days. Take note they're high in sugar tho in case you have sugar or big baby issues. ;)
For your sore bottom.
We can't deny the fact that it can be daunting to imagine a tiny human escaping from such a small place... But remember it was created for this and is meant to relax and open for baby to peacefully exit.
However that doesn't mean you won't be sore afterwards!
Luckily these can help provide relief!
- Dermaplast- pain relief spray
- After birth sitz bath - I purchased mine from Wishgarden.com
- Mama Bottom Spray - peri cooling spray - online or Target
- Witch hazel - for the padsicles.
- "After Ease" - to help with uterus contractions post baby. Also from WishGarden.com When breastfeeding your uterus will contract as it returns to it's non pregnant size (this can take weeks) I've been told 2nd and subsequent births can have noticeably stronger post birth contractions but I have heard this product really helps with that (via my cousin who had 5 natural births- Thanks Lini!)
You don't need these specific bath products but having special bath goodies can be nice for mom, before and after baby arrives. I personally have really enjoyed relaxing in a hot bath frequently during this pregnancy as it has forced me to sit, relax and just be.
My toddler often joins which maybe takes away from the quiet but I'm enjoying every moment I have alone with her as that soon will change forever.
Some more oil goodies.
Thieves oil is just a nice blend to have around to combat sickness, pregnant or not.
These 3 pictured together are oral blends purchased from Wishgarden. It was a pregnancy bundle I figured I'd try. Sleepy Nights, Immune Boost and Stress Relief.
I've used the Sleepy Nights a few times and I honestly feel I did get some nice rest - something that's not always easy to do when pregnant.
For post birth I have pictured here a few things I found helpful last time. - Washable breast pads - you may have leakage! I prefer the washable vs disposable but if you have to be away from home like at work, the disposable may be a better option vs carrying around your soiled pads til you get home.
- Lanolin nipple cream - for sore nipples
- Acidophilus probiotic
- Clotrimazole cream (anti-fungal/athlete's foot cream)
I had no idea what a nipple shield was until a friend brought one to my house but it ended up being a lifesaver for getting my daughter to latch. It's not generally recommended by most lactation consultants but it ended up being my friend in time of need. However I think it may have been the culprit for me getting thrush. Might I add - sooooo itchy and gross! Not only were my nipples itchy but the underside of my breast got red spots all over and this does not help when you already feel like the most unatttractive creature with all your extra fat and skin hanging everywhere!
I was told taking a probiotic (acidophilus - I now drink shakeology daily) would help and was given a prescription for a cream for the fungus. Yes, the thrush on my breast was fungus. That is what thrush is. And talk about feeling gross! Ugh! The prescription was a pretty penny and I later found that a cheapo over the counter anti-fungal cream like this walmart athletes foot cream (clotrimazole) worked just as good and it was $1 a tube! They still have it so I picked some up to keep on hand just in case this time around.
But word to the wise- def be very aware of any milk leakage or moisture with your breasts from leaking or using a shield. My daughter was nursing every 45 minutes so I think my body just had a hard time staying dry and thus the fungus appeared. I don't wish that on anyone!
Another great product I found for this time around catches leaking milk from one side while nursing on the other. I am not sure what it's really called but you can get it from Amazon or Wish.com. There are a handful of brands and shapes. Seems some are called Milkies or milk catchers? A sillicon milk saver? Google is my bff.
But word to the wise- def be very aware of any milk leakage or moisture with your breasts from leaking or using a shield. My daughter was nursing every 45 minutes so I think my body just had a hard time staying dry and thus the fungus appeared. I don't wish that on anyone!
PS the clotrimazole works wonders if baby gets any fungal rashes on their bottom too! Again, I paid a pretty penny for a cream for her bottom when the cheapo cream worked just as well.
Last but not least you need cute outfits and photos right?!
I just love these matching clothes I got for my little ones and I can't wait to have them in them together for a photo shoot!
I highly encourage a maternity photoshoot. With my daughter I was very private and only took personal photos for myself to see the progress of my belly. Unfortunately my phone crashed and I didnt' have any of my photos backed up and I had never posted them anywhere either!
So this time around I made it a point to take weekly belly pics and have a maternity shoot! Even if you're not comfortable in your skin at the time I still highly encourage you to take photos and do a shoot if you can. You will definitely appreciate them later on and your child will enjoy seeing them too!
Thanks for stopping by! Please feel free to comment and share what you have used or plan to use for your birth or post partum! I'd love to hear about your birth story too! Sending out only positive vibes and positive thoughts!
A pregnant woman is a beautiful being. We were made to give birth. It is a natural and magical event not a condition!
Stay healthy, take care of your body, eat right, stay active and think positive thoughts! You can do this!
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