What do I *actually* need for a homebirth?

I was asked today by a first time mum planning a homebirth "what do i need?". In searching the Homebirth Australia FB Group, I see I asked the same question in 2019, in prep for my own first homebirth.

In today's society, you can buy SO many things and usually, the delivery is pretty quick too.

I'm going to start with the essentials for a homebirth supported by midwives, so I'm assuming the midwives will be bringing some items.

I'll write another post on post partum in the early days.

Essentials

• 10x Towels

  • There is not really a magic amount of towels. Realistically, you can use your own towels especially if you have darker ones (less like to show/stain blood).

  • People give towels away frequently, especially on 'free to a good home' or 'good karma' Facebook groups.

  • Why? For fluid, blood, vomit, sweat, pool water, wee, drying yourself, drying baby...

• Food/snacks

• Water + electrolytes

  • A straw is handy

  • You can use powerade or make your own, hydromama is very popular at the moment too

• A sieve

  • To scoop out the INEVITABLE poop from the water.

• Pain relief?

  • Birth pool (can hire)

    • Brand new hose (some say 'food grade' but this is personal preference). Make sure it's also long enough!

    • Pool liner - if you buy new and plan to keep it won't matter, but if you're hiring you'll need to also get a liner.

    • Tap adaptor for hose

      • A common question is "My hose won't connect to my tap, help!", be sure to test out the adaptor

      • These are common ones: pope-indoor-tap-adaptor & gardena-indoor-tap-adaptor

  • TENS machine (can hire)

  • Banksia seed pods (free!)

  • Birth comb

  • 'Birth Weapon'/spiky ball

• Waterproofing

  • Blueys/puppy pads

    • Something that can quickly be whipped between legs, under your butt and be very easily removed to replace

  • Mattress protector/ reuseable puppy pads

    • Good for couches and beds -- particularly after you've given birth

• A big pot

  • To boil water if you need. Running out of hot water is a common problem in homebirths & this is a cheap/quick/accessible 'fix'

• A container (bowl/large ice cream cointainer) for the placenta

• Music playlist (that will last a good 12 hours or longer! there are plenty already created on spotify but you can make your own)

• Heat pack

• Sanitary Pads

  • at least 1 pack of the largest size...you can always buy more/a smaller size later

• Something to take a photo - phone, camera...you'll never have this moment again!

• A non-midwife support person ie. a doula or student midwife.

  • Midwives are amazing, but they're human too & usually only 1 will come along in the beginning.

  • It would be wise to not 100% rely on your partner, particularly if you have other children.

Optional

• Fairy lights

• Peri bottle --- I feel like this is an essential, but I know most women don't seem to invest in one. They are expensive and admittedly, I did use a clean squirty bottle first time round. If you can afford it, worth it in my opinion.

  • This is my fave

• Affirmation cards

• Drop sheets

  • This may be controversial, but I didn't use any in my 2nd homebirth. Perhaps handy for large carpet areas if that's where you are but would recommend against them on your couch/bed as the plastic moves all over the place + makes an annoying noise

• Crochet cord tie

  • So pretty and wish I had used one, however the midwife will have plastic cord clamps

• Underwear that dries quick (to get in/out of the pool/shower, nude is also perfectly fine + free!). I personally love Bimby & Roy and used their bras in labour

• Tinctures

  • Tinctures can be considered a more 'natural' medicine and have a variety of uses.

  • You can get an idea of what you can buy via Blissful Herbs (Victorian herbalist)

• Swaddles for baby

• Clothes for baby

• A dressing gown/robe for you -- VERY handy but not essential

• A thermometer for the birth pool - if it's hot, you'll know & if it's a bit too hot, your midwife will know.

• Birth photographer

• Hand held mirror

  • Really nice to have, your midwife will likely have one anyway

• Birth stool

  • I love a birth stool but most don't use them, this is a popular mainstream version

• Birth Sling (you can use towels with a similar effect)

• Rebozo (again, handy, but you can use a large scarf with a similar effect for positions)

• Yoga ball - very handy and cheap from kmart & often can get second hand