My Homebirths: Birth Supplies & 10% OFF!

For my two unassisted home births, I had to carefully choose what birth supplies I considered to be necessary. Because homebirth really is a simple thing, there isn't all that much required. We already have plenty of towels at home (the first time I bought cheap towels specifically for the birth, the second time we just used what we have here at home), and I did buy two big "painters cloths" (though they are plastic LOL) at the Dollar store for each birth, just to have on hand. The rest of my stuff is more "birth specific" so I order it online. Being as picky as I am about getting the best deal possible, both times I have searched for a store that will not only give me the best prices on products and shipping, but also the best service as well. Each time that came down to one online store- Baby, Birth & Beyond. They always have the products I need in stock and I receive my orders in a very timely manner! I have been nothing but pleased with their service! And I have some sweet news...Baby Birth & Beyond has offered my readers a 10% discount on any orders placed during the month of July! Coupon code is JOYFILLED and can be entered at the beginning of the checkout process starting tomorrow, July 1st and is good until July 31st! Even if you don't have a birth in the near future, they have a great collection of breastfeeding supplies and a lot of awesome books to choose from, not to mention a sweet clearance section that even includes some of my current and past recommendations!

Many people have asked me what sort of supplies I order for my births, so I will list a handful of them here. The thing is, it's so individual- you really have to put some thought and research into what you think you'll need, what is necessary, what you might just want to have around, etc. I know people who don't feel the need to order ANY supplies. For me, however, these are the things I prefer to have on hand!

Necessary (to me):

• Even though I've only used maybe 3 of the 10 total I've ordered (over 2 births), I always consider "chux" pads to be a necessary part of my birth kit! What I DO like to use them for is my bed AFTER birth. I had heavy periods growing up, so it just helps me sleep a little better without having to worry about bleeding all over my sheets and mattress!
• We wait for the cord to stop pulsating, and then we clamp it. I just prefer clamping over tying. So I always order two cord clamps. I do not own a cord clipper to remove the clamps, we've always just used fingernail clippers or something similar.
• Rescue Remedy is something I take during labor to help me keep from freaking out. ;) I've never actually "freaked out" with or without it, but I do find it has a calming effect, so I like to have it available.
• A bulb syringe. I know some people don't like to suction, and I prefer not to default to it. However, we did find slightly suctioning my last two to be the best option, so we always have a syringe on hand. (except I actually get mine in the emergency birth kit my hubby brings home from work)
• Shepherd's Purse in case of hemorrhage. I have always said that I would gladly resort to using the placenta if it were absolutely necessary...but Shepherd's Purse would come first.
• Angelica in case of retained placenta.
• Big peach pads! I am not a fan of bleeding all over the place. During my cycles I use cloth pads, but with heavier bleeding and more frequent pad changes after a birth, I really love these ones!
• A Peri bottle (or two...or three). I admit, I LOVE peri bottles. They are a little gift from Heaven after birth. I generally have two "in use" for the first week after the baby is born. But once I'm done using them for that purpose, they become GREAT squirt bottles for things like lemon juice rinse, homemade herbal shampoo, etc. ;)
• Witch Hazel. Great for that peri bottle and for soaking into pads and freezing prior to birth.
• AfterEase is a great tincture to help deal with afterpains. I take it alone or in combination with another pain killer and I find it helps greatly! (also for cramps just during my period!)

Nice to have:

• Extra doppler gel. I have SO MANY bottles of it right now, but I like to have an extra little one available just in case.
• Caulophyllum and cimicifuga to help pick up and intensify contractions if needed.
• Because my first daughter got a decorative Birth Certificate in the hospital, I HAD to get one for my other babies too. ;) So I always order one. I haven't even written on the last two, just made sure to get their footprints ASAP (for the sake of being sentimental).
• Disposable foot printer for that birth certificate (I don't own any stamp pads LOL)
• While I've never actually taken it after birth, I keep Arnica tablets and gel on hand in case the birth was very painful or physically traumatic.

One-time orders that I wanted to have on hand but haven't used yet (or are reusable):

• Plastic-backed sheet. I just wanted this available in case I chose to give birth on the bed (which I haven't yet).
• Mesh panties. I have a few of these from previous births and I just wash them and keep them. I just like them for immediately after the birth with those giant peach pads.
• Lots of those chux pads!

What I plan to add to my order next time:

• Goldenseal or Wishgarden Cord Care for the cord stump. My last little one had a stinky cord stump that took a while to fall off (it was a big, thick cord- he was a big guy!- so that's likely why). I kept meaning to get my hands on some Goldenseal but never did. I'd like to just have some on hand next time.

Other things I already have at home:

• A bag for the placenta. I usually stick it in the freezer until I'm ready to do something with it (the last two times I *GASP* encapsulated it). I can't bring myself to throw it away.
• Oodles of alcohol wipes, gauze pads, and all that great first aid stuff that seems to begin overflowing in your home when your hubby is a paramedic and you have married into a medical family. ;)
• Tape measure to measure baby.
• Baby Scale. I have the Salter Digital Scale and LOVE it. I use it all the time for mailing packages. ;) It's spot on with the postal scales.

So there's an idea of what I order for my births! If you have an upcoming homebirth and need supplies, make sure to head on over to Baby Birth & Beyond between tomorrow, July 1st and July 31st to get 10% off! (coupon code JOYFILLED)


*Baby, Birth and Beyond has not encouraged or endorsed UNASSISTED home birth in any way.
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