Essential Home Birth Checklist + Important Items to Improve Your Experience

woman having a home birth in a birth tub with a man and child supporting her
man and child supporting birthing mom in a birth tub

If you’re here, you most likely already have a midwife and are planning for a home birth. Most midwives will have their own home birth checklist for you of everything they want you to have, so make sure to use that list if they have one.

I’ve put together two lists for you, the list of some of the most common items they will likely want you to have on hand and the extra things that you’ll want to have that will make your birth experience so much better.

Checklist: Here are the items your midwife will likely want you to have on hand.

  • waterproof mattress cover
  • waterproof pillow covers
  • 2 sets of bed sheets
  • 8 bath towels
  • 8 receiving blankets
  • bottle of hydrogen peroxide
  • 8 wash cloths
  • clothes for baby
  • diapers for baby
  • olive oil (for baby’s bottom)
  • maternity pads/disposable underwear for postpartum
  • large cookie sheet
  • 2 large bowls (one for placenta and one for possible vomiting)
  • bottle of rubbing alcohol
  • 4 trash bags
  • flashlight
  • thermometer
  • paper towels
  • heating pad
  • disposable chux pads

Every midwife has a slightly different list of required items, so make sure to get that list directly from them when you’re getting things ready. You’ll also have extra supplies if you plan to have a birth pool, such as a liner, drinking water hose for filling, hose for draining, sink attachments, and a pool/bath thermometer.

Home Birth Checklist: The things I had or wished I had for my own home birth.

Honey Sticks

These are great for an energy burst when you need it but don’t want actual food.

Water Bottle with a Straw

A must have on your list! It would have been impossible to drink out of a glass or bottle without a straw most of the time I was in labor. I was so happy to have a water bottle with a straw so people could give me little sips throughout.

Labor and Delivery Gown

I was so happy I had ordered a comfortable lightweight labor and delivery gown. Even though I was in my own home, I liked having something that I could wear while I labored. Since I got it just for that purpose I wasn’t worried about whether it would get ruined or anything, I was able to just go through labor and be comfortable (well as comfortable as you can be while in labor). This is the one I wore during labor and this is the one I wore immediately after when I got in bed.

Birth Ball

I just had a regular large yoga ball and it was amazing. I used it leading up to labor by doing hip circles and bouncing a little bit to get ready. I ended up leaning over it and using it for support during intense contractions. I used it directly on the floor and also sat it on the couch so that I could stand up and have something comfortable to lean over.

An Ice Maker that makes small ice cubes or ice chips

This isn’t required, but I loved eating those tiny hollow ice cubes when I was in labor. It was easier and more satisfying than drinking water.

Washcloths

I loved having a couple of washcloths on hand that someone could dip in cool water and then put on my forehead. It was so relieving during labor. I suggest having at least 2 that way you can switch them out when one isn’t cold anymore.

Popsicles

The kind in the little sleeve (not the kind on a stick). I had some organic popsicles and it was nice for a little energy and hydration.

Hair Ties

You’ll want to be able to quickly throw your hair up once you’re in labor. Make sure you have a couple of hair ties or your favorite clips ready to go so you aren’t searching for them or trying to explain to someone where to find them.

Lip Balm

Another must have on your home birth checklist. Have your favorite lip balm ready so that it’s easy to find. Your support person should know where it is and can offer it to you when your lips start to get dry.

A playlist or artist you want to listen to picked out already

I figured I didn’t know exactly what I would want to listen to and would pick it out when I went into labor. When I was in labor and someone suggested music and asked what I wanted I couldn’t even think about what I would want to listen to. My contractions were too intense and I didn’t have the energy to even pick an artist so my husband had to pick for me. I think at least having a list of your top 5 choices that way your support person can just turn it on for you and if you don’t like it in that moment they can switch through your preselected choices.

A meal for afterward

Make sure it’s something that’s nutricious and just needs to be heated up. That way someone can easily get it ready for you. Even better, have osme basic instructions for whoever will heat it up for you and know exactly where it is. You’ll likely be so exhausted after birth that you won’t be able to explain everything. Some soup that just needs to be heated up would be a good choice if you like soup.

A Doula

Obviously this isn’t required, but I was so thankful I had hired a doula! She was there with the one job of supporting me. She was able to do hip squeezes to relieve the intensity of contractions, make sure I had little sips of water, put a cold washcloth on my head, and hold my hand. Of course, my husband could do all of those things too and did, but because she had so much experience she knew exactly what would help and how to support me throughout. If you can hire a doula I highly recommend it.

It’s hard to think of everything you might need or want for your home birth so I hope this checklist helped you! What are your other must have items on your home birth checklist? Leave a comment and let me know!

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