Wherever you give birth, you may appreciate having some of the following à la carte items on hand during your pregnancy, during the birth, and after baby is born. You can purchase the following items online or add them as additional supplies to your birth kit if you are having your baby at home.
Everything Birth
Flexible straws: A must-have for moms during labor and birth. If you have a reusable metal straw – that is great. If they are not in the birth kit, buy some flexible straws.
Organic herbal cord care: This is a powder made from goldenseal and other herbs that helps the cord stay clean, dry, and heal faster.
Homemade cord tie: This is a knitted string that ties-off your baby’s umbilical cord after the birth rather than using a cord clamp. Some moms prefer this.
Perineal cold packs: Perineal cold packs for perineal swelling and pain can range from padsickles, gel packs to sanitary pad cold packs. Check to see if these are included in your birth kit. Learn more about padsickles and ‘down there‘ care.
Perineal massage oil: Perineal massage is recommended for first-time mothers to help reduce the incidence of severe tears. You can often find blended perineal massage oil with herbs infused in olive oil or other oils. Plain olive oil also works!
Large, overnight menstrual pads: Even if you purchase adult diapers, be sure to have a good supply of large sanitary pads. You won’t want to stay in diapers for more than a few days.
Alternative cloth menstrual pads: Many women prefer menstrual cloth pads, which can be washed and used for years.
Adult diapers: If the birth kit doesn’t have adult diapers, get some. Moms love the easy ‘pull up’ convenience, and they are not apt to spill blood over the side. Cloth adult diapers are also an option and much sexier.
Sitz bath herbs: Sitz bath herbs are a great way to reduce swelling and soreness caused by childbirth. You could blend your own herbs or purchase a sitz bath package. Check to see if the herbs are included in your birth kit. Herbs are often added to a sitz bath basin, or you can just add warm water.
Sitz bath basin: This is a shallow, plastic tub that fits over the toilet, which allows you to sit and soak your bottom. Many mothers love the comfort it provides postpartum to their tender parts. It can also be used during pregnancy to soothe hemorrhoids. Treat yourself to a sitz bath!
Must Have Thermometer
When having a home or birth center birth, you will be discharged just a few hours after the birth. That means you are responsible for taking your baby’s temperature, usually every four hours. If you give birth in the hospital, usually you are discharged between24 to 48 hours. Still get a thermometer.
If you don’t have a thermometer in your home, don’t be surprised if your provider asks a family member or friend to purchase one – even if it is in the middle of the night.
White Washcloths
18-24 cheap white washcloths: Most providers will not have white washcloths on the list of packing items, and good luck finding even one washcloth in a hospital. Washcloths were a thing I loved at my birth center. At every birth, we used anywhere from 12 to 24 washcloths. They should be purchased by 36 weeks, washed, and folded. Everything you can think of, a white washcloth can do:
- Use as a cool washcloth for mom’s forehead
- Wipe a face after vomiting
- Wash off hands, legs, feet
- Use as compresses soaked in warm herbal solution for mom’s perineum
- Wash off mom after the birth
- Clean up messy meconium
Why white? Because your provider can see what and how much is on the washcloth. Why cheap? Because they are thin, small, and easy to handle. Big, lush washcloths are too big. Wash them in fragrance-free laundry soap before the birth.
Washcloths also are very useful in the event of a transfer or when planning a hospital birth. Hospitals will not have these handy little items. Try asking a nurse for washcloths in a hospital, and you will know what I mean. Same with pillows.
Labor Essentials
Be sure to have all the essential labor tools on hand that you want or may need, such as a birth ball, peanut, rebozo, rice bags, tennis balls, or other items.
Speciality Items
Oral vitamin K: Bio-K-Mulsion, by Biotics Research Corporations. Order this type of vitamin K if you choose to administer oral vitamin K to your baby.
