We outline the most common homebirth supplies you’ll need to have on hand during your labour, for the birth, and after. After all having a homebirth can be a gloriously life-changing event. In addition, planning and preparing for a homebirth can be an exciting experience too, as you collect together the supplies you’ll need. But what do you need?

Homebirth in a bath

Homebirth Supplies for labour

Labour requires lots of energy, courage and self-belief. But beyond these essential yet intangible things, there are some homebirth supplies which can help to make you more comfortable.

Birth Pool

A birth pool can allow you to take advantage of the soothing benefits of submersion during in water during labour and birth and makes a great addition to your homebirth supplies. PBB is Australia’s largest stockist of birth pools and provides a range of single and multiple-use pools to suit different budgets. Birth pool accessories include:

Hot Packs

Wheat or hot packs or a hot water bottle make a great start to your homebirth supplies. Heat can be very soothing during labour by helping to relieve pain and providing comforting warmth. PBB’s store offers self-heating packs in a range of shapes and sizes.

Four or five cloth nappies to use as hot compresses are also great to have on hand amongst your homebirth supplies. When soaked in hot water, nappies cover a larger area of your body than hot packs. Additionally, they mould to your body and tend to ‘stick’ to your skin, making them less likely to fall when you move. They also won’t be damaged if they fall in the birth pool! Don’t forget a bucket to soak the nappies in and a pair of rubber gloves perfect for wringing out your hot compresses.

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Electrolyte Replacement

Labour Aide is an electrolyte replacement ideal for labour. Labour is like rigorous exercising in that it causes depletion in your electrolytes which are essential to the functioning of your cells. A little like sports drinks, Labour Aide works to replace these electrolytes and give you energy. Labour Aide can be made at home and added to your homebirth supplies in the last weeks of your pregnancy. Alternatively, the Endura Magnesium Rehydration Formula is available from health food or sports stores.

Labour Aide Recipe

¼ cup honey

One teaspoon salt

One crushed calcium tablet

1/3 cup lemon juice

Mix all ingredients and then add even quantities of water and juice to taste (apple, blackcurrant or cranberry) to make the mixture up to 2 litres. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze.

Miscellaneous Items

Incontinence pads are very useful to have on hand when your waters break (and after the birth) and are much more absorbent than sanitary pads. Incontinence pads can be purchased online through the PBB store, or from supermarkets and pharmacies. Buy these early on to add to your homebirth supplies.

Rescue Remedy is a homeopathic Bach Flower remedy which is particularly useful in supporting the body and mind during stressful or traumatic situations. It comes in the form of drops, pastilles and a spray. Rescue Remedy is available through your local pharmacy or from good health food stores.

Lip Balm or Lanolin can be marvellous to soothe lips that can become dry and sore as a result of mouth breathing during labour. Pick your favourite and add it into your homebirth supplies.

Socks might sound like an odd addition to your homebirth supplies but having cold feet is unpleasant for most, and no less so during labour!

Don’t forget to have your Pregnancy Folder on hand including your Medicare Number, health insurance number and antenatal card or record in case of hospital transfer.

supplies for a homebirth

Homebirth Supplies for the Birth

An oxygen cylinder is vital to have in your birth supplies in case your baby needs a little help after birth. Hire an oxygen cylinder 2-3 weeks before your baby’s expected birth date. Your midwife will provide you with details on how to organise this.

A placenta container will be used by your midwife to place your baby’s placenta in after the birth. A 4-litre ice cream container will do the job nicely as will any similar-sized container or bowl. Add one to your homebirth supplies, lined with a plastic bag.

Floor and furniture coverings are an essential and sometimes overlooked necessity in your homebirth supplies. A tarp, plastic sheeting or a drop sheet, all available from PBB’s online store or hardware stores, can be great for covering floors. Old sheets and towels are ideal for covering beds and furniture.

Don’t forget to have your phone, camera and video gear ready with charged batteries, and spare ones just in case!

After the Birth

Arnica is a homeopathic remedy which can aid recovery after birth. Arnica Oral Spray is widely available in pharmacies and from good health food stores.

A Homeopathic Birth and Postnatal Kit is most certainly not essential but something you might like to add to your homebirth supplies. Many Homeopaths specialising in pregnancy and birth offer their own kits.

For Baby

You baby’s first set of clothes will make an exciting addition to your homebirth supplies! Nothing elaborate is required, and in fact, simple is best. A nappy, singlet, short or long jumpsuit, booties/socks and wrap depending on the season.

After a homebirth

Personal Products

Sanitary maternity pads will be required in addition to the incontinence pads we mentioned earlier. Purchase at least two packets. Sanitary maternity pads can be purchased online through the PBB store, or from supermarkets and pharmacies. Buy these early on to add to your homebirth supplies.

Kool Pops or similar children’s ice blocks are ideal for icing the perineal area after birth. Alternatively, condoms filled with water, tied and frozen will also do the job.

A peri bottle is also useful for washing the perineum after passing urine to soothe stinging. The PBB store has peri bottles available for purchase. A plastic sauce bottle from the supermarket will also do the job.

Don’t forget to have some salt on hand in your homebirth supplies for removing blood stains on carpets, mats and furniture.

Written 14th March 2014

Revised 11th June 2020

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