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Hi.

I’m Annie!

BIRTH + POSTPARTUM SUPPLIES.

BIRTH + POSTPARTUM SUPPLIES.

Annie Hauser

I am 25 weeks pregnant, and starting to gather all my supplies for my birth! This will be my 3rd birth, 2nd homebirth. I have a few blogs on birth here and here, plus Mila Rose’s homebirth story and video here. I also recently did a Pregnancy/Newborn guide here!

I’ve put together a list for you for things to use during labor (where ever that may be!) - plus all the things I am preparing postpartum for healing. I will also include the list of things I’ll have on hand for my homebirth.

HOMEBIRTH SUPPLIES

Okay, diving right in. I have these items gathered in a bin, or you could use a basket. My goal is to have everything I need by week 36 - after 37 weeks I am cleared to birth at home, so being prepared is good!
Just keep everything together so when the time comes, you aren’t scrambling while having contractions trying to find everything! We blew up the birth pool to check for leaks a few weeks ahead of my due date (then deflated it), plus made sure all hose connections work.

  • 30-40 underpads- large size 30 x 36 (i.e. chux, Depends, Johnson&Johnson)

  • Flashlight with new batteries installed

  • 6 towels, 6 washcloths (not your best) - these I had draped over the tub, used to dry baby, etc

  • Waterproof mattress cover. - i kept this under my sheets a few weeks before my due date. if you don’t do that, set it up right away in labor, then layer sheets as noted below

  • Once in labor, make bed made with fitted sheet (nice one), plastic tarp, flat sheet, flat sheet. (so you can lay on your bed after baby comes, or birth on it. deliver placenta, get cleaned up, etc, then while you shower, your partner or midwife just strips the top sheets and plastic, and your clean fitted sheet for you to snuggle up on (with chux pads under you) is right there!)

  • 1 cookie sheet or similar size trays with rim around edge (to hold midwife instruments)

  • Large size trash bags

  • Birth pool: rent an Aqua doula or buy an inflatable pool at least 3 inflatable rings high, don’t forget the hose to fill the pool, the adapter to connect the hose to the faucet, the pump to inflate the pool, the pump to empty the pool, and extra towels and floor protection for getting in and out of the pool!

  • Birth pool liner

  • fish net pooper scooper lol yes an actual fish tank scooper (women poop during labor. get over it. I told chris not to tell me if it happened hahaha also its normal so whatever. you give ZERO fucks about this, while you’re in labor, btw)

  • Measuring Tape- 36” paper

  • 6 Singles Gloves- Medium

  • 24 Gauze- 4 x 4 Sterile

  • 2 Straws

  • Large zip lock bags or other storage container for placenta (I use this local woman for mine, just look up a local person who does placenta encapsulation or sometimes your doula or midwife does it)

  • Bowl for placenta

  • Food for family and attendants

  • Roller with jasmine, geranium, helichrysum to contract uterus and stop bleeding, to roll over uterus immediately after birth. I also take AfterEase immediately after.

  • Affirmation cards or posters, crystals, your diffuser + oils, and beeswax candles to light

DURING LABOR

I use a lot of essential oils during pregnancy, labor, postpartum..um.. just in life in general haha. Here is WHY I only use Young Living oils (after researching basically every single company out there) - they are the only brand I feel comfortable using on my body, and on my babies - and because we use them internally as well, quality is even more important!

  • Lotion or massage oil for backrubs during labor

  • Unopened bottle of olive oil for perineal massage

  • Clary Sage under the tongue to encourage contractions, Labor roller on inner ankles and uterus (see recipes below)

  • Pranamat pillow and mini mat for counter pressure (code is ANNIEHAUSERC)

  • Playlist of fave calming music

  • Snacks to keep energy up during labor

  • Plenty of your favorite juice or electrolyte drink, consider making ice cubes of juice (I drank Ningxia with Zyng and pellet ice, and also lots of Tangerine Liquid IV.

FOR BABY

  • two soft swaddle blankets (not your fave), two hats (not your fave)

  • Baby clothes: undershirt, socks, Kimonos, and diapers

  • Alcohol and cotton balls/pads for umbilical cord care (I actually didn’t use these - I only did the Myrrh and both babies cords fell off around day 5)

  • myrrh dropper (see recipe below!)

  • Thermometer (for oral and underarm temps)

  • oral Vitamin K (if choosing to use, I didn’t)

POSTPARTUM SUPPLIES

BIRTH BOOKS

So for Mila and Grey, I did basically ZERO postpartum resting. Yikes. This time around, I am prioritizing my postpartum period. I read the First 40 Days and loved it. I am going to do a modified version of that - called 5-5-5. It’s five days in your bed, 5 days on or around your bed, then 5 days resting maybe near your bed or on the couch. Pretttty much “get your ass in bed and stay there” for at least two weeks. I hired a postpartum doula to make sure I am taking care of myself (because I suck at taking care of me.) I also use LOTS of Joy over my heart, Valor, and Frankincense during postpartum, to support my emotions.

DISNEY GUIDE 2022

DISNEY GUIDE 2022
BABY LIST.

BABY LIST.

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