Home Birth Essentials

Planning for your home birth may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be!

Around 30-32 weeks, we give all of our client’s a printed home birth supply list so that they can start gathering all their items ahead of time. I recommend gathering all of your supplies into one area, even better if you toss it all into a big storage tote! Place this tote in your birth area so it’s easily visible to your birth team - that way if things are moving quickly, they can just start grabbing what they need without having to play scavenger hunt around your home!

A Few Important Reminders

1. Before you purchase anything, make sure you check with your midwife first to see if she has anything specific she suggests!

2. The items linked below are typically recommended in addition to a “Birth Supply Kit”. These premade kits typically contain your disposable medical supplies (gloves, cord clamps, scissors, chux pads, etc). We have our clients purchase these kits from our favorite birth supply company, while other midwives may provide the kit for you! Ask your midwife if she has a birth kit for you to purchase! You will not see these disposable medical supplies in my Amazon list below for this reason.

3. You may already own most of the items mentioned below, so if that’s the case - save your $$$! I’ll make a note next to the few items we suggest purchasing brand new. This list is merely meant to make it more convenient to browse and easily drop needed items in your cart!

I’ve also got a free printable checklist for you at the end of this post!

• 12 bath towels

• 1-2 dozen wash cloths

• cookie sheet or serving tray (we like to lay our instruments/meds/supplies on this)

• crockpot and tongs (for hot compresses, and tongs so we don’t burn ourselves!)

• 2 sets of clean sheets (including pillow cases)

• extra pillows (waterproof pillow protectors if you want)

• waterproof, fitted mattress cover

• 32 ounce bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide

• 16 ounce bottle of alcohol

• 2 rolls of paper towels

• trash bags

• shower curtain liner (to toss on the floor if needed)

• 2 packages of heavy flow pads or depends

• Dermoplast or Herbal Perineal Spray

• Peri-Bottle

• Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads

• AfterEase Tincture (trust me, it helps with those after birth pains!)

• Ice Packs (PRO TIP: make these condom ice packs instead!)

• newborn diapers

• outfit, hat and muslin blanket for baby

• Birth Ball

• Essential Oils: this one is my #1 used oil in labor! Best for those overwhelmed, “I can’t do this” moments…should’ve been named “Liquid Courage” in my opinion.

• Snacks & Electrolytes: pick light, easily digestible foods to snack on; have variety. (Honey Sticks, Protein Shakes, Charcuterie, etc)

• Personal Comfort Items: chapstick, candles, music, camera

• Car Seat (installed in your car by 36 weeks!)

• Comfortable clothes to labor in, with an extra set just in case…stuff happens. *wink

If you are planning a water birth, please include:

• 1 SMALL size fish net (*this should be brand new)

• Swimsuit top for mom to wear in tub; something easy to remove for skin to skin!

• Lead free water hose and adapter (measure the distance from your hot water source to your pool and make sure you purchase enough hose! Avoid the “expandable hoses” as they cause a delay in filling the tub!)

Some other items you might consider!

• Postpartum Belly Wrap

• Labor Prep Tea

• Arnica (Homeopathic for pain)

• Your Postpartum Guide (written by yours truly of course!)

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission from when you order. Read full privacy policy here.