Home birth supplies

Everything on this list is only a recommendation and you can pick and choose what suits you best

A waterproof mat – this can be a blanket over the top of tarpaulin or a plastic drop cloth, a waterproof backed picnic blanket, a birth mat (instructions on how to make one here), etc.
Two buckets – one lined with a plastic bag for rubbish and one in case you need to vomit
A laundry basket lined with a plastic bag or similar to put soiled/wet laundry into
Old towels
A container for the placenta
A cord tie, muka or items for lotus birth/umbilical non-severance
Baby blankets
Comfortable clothing such as a towel robe
Healthy snacks
Drinks such as water, coconut water, red raspberry leaf tea (can also be pre-frozen into ice cubes to suck), etc.
A source of heat if it’s cold
Support people who care for you

Waterproof absorbent pads (get before labour from midwife)
Torch
Mirror
A method for warming hot towels, such as a slow cooker/crock pot, boiling water and container, etc. and thick rubber gloves to handle them. Alternately hot water bottles or wheat packs
A container with cold or frozen face cloths
Decorations such as affirmations, photos of loved ones and special memories, fairy lights, candles, birth flags/pennants, birth beads, etc.
Music
Hand held fan
Acupressure items including acupressure point info, a comb to squeeze during contractions (acupressure points)
A TENS machine
Homoeopathic remedies such as arnica or a homoeopathic birth kit
Flower essences such as Rescue Remedy or Stress Med Spray
Essential oils such as Tea tree oil, a birth mix and carrier oils (if not premixed) and/or a diffuser
Camera, charger, spare batteries, memory space, etc. or a birth photographer.

Baby blankets, wraps and optionally baby clothes
Nappies or EC (Elimination Communication) potty and clothing
Comfortable underwear and clothing for yourself
Maternity pads and/or disposable underwear such as Tena for the first day or two (usually bottom shelf of the sanitary goods aisle in the supermarket)
Perineum healing mix/spray
Homoeopathic remedies such as Arnica, Weleda Chamomilla/Nicotiana Comp (for afterpains), etc
Fresh made bed for sinking into with baby – nice fresh sheets and comfortable protective underlayer and everything you need nearby (e.g. lamp/ torch, water, snacks, nappies/potty, wipes, wraps, etc.)
A message on your answering machine asking people to call back later/leave a message/send a text or email instead
A list on the fridge of things visitors can do when they ask “what can I do to help?” Ideas include: laundry, vacuuming, dishes, reading stories to children, taking the dog for a walk, taking out the compost, etc. It can be hard to ask for help, or hard to think of what needs to be done. If people can choose a task they will probably enjoy it more, and everyone likes to help
A sign for the door or gate to say mum and baby are sleeping, or express your wishes around visiting for friends and family calling by
Lots of easy-to-make frozen meals in the freezer or organise friends and family to make meals each night for a week or two