Birth supply list

Birth Supply List

The midwives will do their best to support you in birthing your baby at your chosen space, but would also like to be prepared for unexpected situations. For this reason you are asked to please prepare the items in both home and hospital sections of this list, regardless of where you are planning on welcoming your baby. Having a hospital bag packed when you are planning home, or birth center allows for a fast, smooth and safe transfer into the hospital, if it becomes necessary. Having home birth supplies already gathered together allows you to more easily change your mind during labour (if you suddenly want a home birth), and/or it allows you and the midwives to be better prepared when there is not enough time to move somewhere else.

Home Birth

Please have these items ready 4 weeks before your due date. You can collect everything in a cardboard box or laundry basket and store it in a safe place out of the way until the birth. Having these things ready ahead of time helps the midwife to set up quickly so she can focus more of her attention on your family during labour.

8-10 clean older wash cloths (for compresses)
6-8 large clean older towels (for drying everyone)
6 receiving blankets
large waterproof tarp, or plastic sheet. Plastic shower curtains, or painter's sheet work well.
2 large sized bowls (1 for nausea and 1 for the placenta)
2 large garbage bags (large blue clear recycling bags are great)
2 extra large, sturdy zip-lock bags
1 digital thermometer
1 large pack of overnight sanitary pads (avoid “Always” brand or dry weave pads because they cause rashes, discomfort and sometimes pull out stitches)
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Advil), and Dimenhydrinate (Gravol) (please do not buy the natural, or non-drowsy version of Gravol)
Loose and comfortable clothing to wear after the birth
a few diapers
2 newborn size baby hats
A small unopened container of unscented oil (e.g. olive, almond or coconut oil)
A onesie and sleeper if you wish to dress the baby after the birth
Hydrogen peroxide, or “green” bleach (to remove blood stains if needed)
A large pot with lid (to keep compresses warm)
Red Community Midwives birth bag (your midwives will provide you with the birth bag)

To protect your mattress and pillows please prepare the bed as follows:

Put on a clean fitted sheet on the mattress.
Put on a clean top sheet.
Put on a plastic sheet or shower curtain (over the sheets) to completely cover the mattress.
On top of the plastic sheet put a clean, older fitted sheet for the birth.
Next a clean, older top sheet and any other blankets you wish to use.
Prepare 4-6 pillows in the same manner with a clean pillowcase, garbage bag to protect the pillow and clean older pillowcase on top.

Hospital Birth

Please have these items ready 4 weeks before your due date. Place items in an over night bag and keep near the front door for quick and easy transport to the hospital. Food, money and wallet can be added last minute.

Comfortable clothing to wear while laboring
Comfortable change of clothing to wear home (for the labour person and their support people in case their clothes get dirty)
Outfit for baby (a onesie, sleeper and hats)
A few receiving blankets
Toiletries (hairbrush, toothbrush, soap, toothpaste, chap-stick, hair ties, moisturizer, etc.)
A small unopened container of unscented oil (e.g. olive, almond or coconut oil)
Snacks (aim for snacks that are a good source of protein and energy and that don’t require refrigeration. E.g. granola, nuts, dried fruit, cheese, coconut water, honey, etc.)
Camera
Personal items that may make your hospital room feel cozier
Music and a small portable music player
Car seat (ready and installed in the car and be familiar with how to use it)
Healthcare card and some kind of government issued identification (make sure it is safely stored in your wallet and that your wallet is easily accessible close to your hospital bag)
Cash (to pay for parking and to buy food)
Red Community Midwives birth bag (your midwives will provide you with the birth bag, but there is no need to bring it with you to the hospital)

Water Birth List

Small fish aquarium net
            Swimming outfit (for partner, or support person in case they get in the water)
            Extra towels
            If using an inflatable pool, rather than a bath tub please also have available:
Inflatable pool
                        Plastic sheet (to protect the floor under the pool)
                        Pump (to inflate the pool)
                        New garden hose
                        Sink faucet attachment for hose, with reverse/draining ability (Y adapter)

If you require this information in a language other than English, please let your midwife know.