Hospital/Birth Center

Click here to download Birth Goals/Preference Template: My Birth Goals/Preferences Template

Links for Birth Preferences:

Supplies you may want to take to the hospital or birth center:

For mom during labor

  • Plant based, fragrance free oil for massage/perineum at birth

  • Lip balm

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste

  • Hairbrush and comb

  • Short gown and robe, if prefers to wear over hospital clothes

  • Ponytail holder to keep hair off face

  • Warm socks and/or slippers

  • Warm blanket or shawl (hospital beds have very thin cotton covers)

  • Music player and earbuds/headphones

  • Personal comfort items (pillows, pictures, flowers)

  • Popsicles (Outshine brand is delicious)

  • Water bottle with straw

  • Snacks for energy (honey sticks, crackers, nuts, trail mix)

  • Birth ball if facility does not have one

  • Medela lanolin for breastfeeding

  • Outfit to go home in (something worn around 6 months of pregnancy)

For the birth partner

  • Copies of the birth plan

  • Watch with a second hand or stopwatch

  • Grooming supplies (toothbrush, breath mints, deodorant, shaver)

  • Food for snacks and beverages (many hospitals have no food available at night except in vending machines)

  • Sweatshirt

  • Change of clothes

  • Slippers

  • Swimsuit, so you can accompany mom into the shower or bath

  • Paper and Pencil

  • HypnoBirthing materials

  • Something to do for slow times when mom does not need your help

  • Phone numbers to call/message after baby is born

  • Camera and batteries

  • Phone and charger

For the baby

  • Clothing for the trip home - make outfit as easy as possible to put on

  • Receiving blanket (heavier blanket for trip home if weather is cool)

  • Hat and socks

  • Car seat, properly installed

For the trip to the hospital for birth center, or in the event of transfer during a home birth

  • A full tank of gas

  • A blanket and pillow in the car

  • Chux pads and/or towels

Home Birth

Click here to download: Home Birth Birth Preferences

Supplies for a home birth:

Birthing supplies:

  • Disposable waterproof underpass (Chux pads)

  • Sterile 4x4 inch gauze pads

  • K-Y jelly

  • Bulb syringe

  • Cord clamps

  • Squeeze bottle to cleanse perineum

  • Waterproof mattress cover (a shower curtain will do)

  • Wet, folded washcloths placed in plastic bags and frozen

  • Thermometer

  • Basin for the placenta

  • Washcloths, hand towels, and bath towels

  • At least two sets of clean bed sheets

  • Flexible straws

  • Trash bags

  • Birthing tub, available for rent of purchase, or a kiddie-sized swimming pool at least 24 inches deep)

Other supplies

  • Long, maternity-sized sanitary pads

  • Hat for baby

  • Food for the birthing team during labor

  • Food and drink for a birth celebration

For a home birth, you will want to make some other preparations at the last minute

  • Turn up the water heater (to allow a long shower in labor), and make sure everyone knows.

  • Clean and organize the house

  • Make the bed with fresh linens (that you don’t mind getting stained or thrown away after birth)