MOM’S CLOTHES:       
In the first days after birth you will need clothes that fit you around the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy.  Try to stick with pajamas the first few days—this helps limit the length of times visitors will stay so you can focus on resting, getting to know your baby and establishing breast feeding.  For the birth, have on hand comfortable fitting cotton nursing bras, nightgowns with buttons in front, socks and a few pairs of clean underwear.

FOOD:        
Before the birth, make a meal plan for the first week after birth; get all the supplies you can for those meals so you don’t have to go out.  For the birth, have on hand:  at least one gallon of fruit juice and plenty of healthy groceries—fresh fruits and veggies, cheese, nuts, whole grain bread, peanut butter, soups, yogurt, milk & etc. Be sure to include YOUR FAVORITE healthy foods.  Also, include herbal teas, “Recharge” natural electrolyte drink and honey for energy during labor.        

PACK BAG:         
Even when planning for home birth it is a good idea to pack a bag for mother and baby in case of transport to the hospital.  Include clothes, personal items such as hairbrush, toothbrush, writing materials, sanitary napkins, shampoo, insurance card, phone numbers and any other basics that you would want if you were away from home with a new baby for a few days.  In the rare case that transport becomes necessary, this is one less concern. 

HOME PREPARATION:          
Please have walkways clear and at least one flat surface cleared in the room that you think you would like to give birth in. Bring the box of birth supplies out, but you do not have to set them up—we will take care of that for you.  

MAKING THE BED:
Place a fitted sheet on your bed then place a plastic sheet or vinyl table cloth (felt side up) on your mattress and cover with a second fitted sheet, then make the bed as your normally would on top of the fittet sheets and plastic.

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE IN LABOR:       
Stay calm, rest if you are tired, eat if you are hungry; remember to drink plenty of fluids and urinate frequently.  Walking briskly outdoors, bathing and lovemaking can help with relaxation and pain relief.  If your bag of waters has broken, do not make love, take baths or put anything in your vagina.  Most important, RELAX and enjoy this special time in your life.  REMEMBER, birth is a natural event—LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE!

YOUR BIRTH SUPPLY KIT MUST CONTAIN THE MINIMUM  of the FOLLOWING ITEMS:

20     30” x 36” Underpads

2       40” x 90” Plastic backed paper sheets

2       Packages of 11” Sanitary pads

1       8oz. Peri irrigation bottle

12     Packages of 4” x 4” sterile gauze

15     Packages of alcohol prep pads

2       Flexible drinking straws

1       Sanitary brief

1       Bulb syringe 2 oz

1       Bottle of sterile lubricating jelly

3       Pairs STERILE procedure gloves size 7

6       Sterile single gloves size medium

1       4-oz. bottle of povidone iodine solution

2       Sterile plastic cord clamps

1       Standard oral thermometer in case

2       Cotton newborn hats

2      Povidone scrub brushes

 

1      4 ounce bottle Olive Oil


Enjoy the time you put into preparing your home and supplies for your birth...nesting is sign that your hormones and psyche are getting ready for labor!  

copyright 2010 Country Midwife, LLC