At my last midwife visit, I asked for the list of birth supplies I knew I’d need from obsessively reading homebirth threads on the internet. And oh boy, did she deliver a whopper of a list. It’s going to be fun checking these items off and bagging them up to place in the corner of the bedroom to wait for their big day.
Bag No. 1 — bedding
2 flat sheets
2 fitted sheets (at least one light in color)
pillowcases
Bag No. 2 — delivery
4 towels
2 receiving blankets
8-10 washcloths
Bag No. 3 — postpartum
2 receiving blankets
1 baby hat
1 baby undershirt with snaps
1 baby gown
baby socks
a nursing gown or pajamas (for mom) appropriate for nursing
2 diapers
Additional necessary items to be placed in a laundry basket or box
2 flannel-backed vinyl tablecloths
1 large beach towel
flashlight with batteries
1 medium or large bowl (for the placenta)
2-gallon size Ziploc bags (for the placenta)
1 package of overnight sanitary pads
2 packages of underpads, sometimes called Chux
1 roll of paper towels
1 box of Kleenex
hydrogen peroxide
rubbing alcohol
witch hazel (for perineal cleansing)
small bottle of olive oil (perineal compress)
Arnica remedy (30c)
digital thermometer
4 kichen-sized trash bags
2 heavy-duty garbage bags
empty kitchen-sized trash container
empty laundry basket
supply of labor foods
Optional items
crock pot
fan
Arnica oil
Bach’s Rescue Remedy drops
sitz bath
So, I’ve already got a lot of the stuff on hand; it will just be a matter of organizing and bagging and keeping things straight.
Whole Foods is your place for homeopathics. None of them are too pricey. You might ask Amanda if she still has some Rescue Remedy. Brandon would call it snake oil, but it is an international big seller, so maybe there is something to it.
You are very brave. I got to perineal compress and wanted drugs immediately. And I’m not even pregnant.
I’m thinking that’s not Virgin or Extra Virgin Olive Oil is it?
I can cover you on the Bach’s Rescue remedy and Arnica products. Is the 30cc version the tablets? I mostly use the gel, but I’ve got lots of coupons for more. I use Bach’s rescue remedy for pets as well to keep down any stress for Raincat sometimes.
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