Birth supply List

Please have these items ready 4 weeks before your due date.

You can collect everything in a cardboard box or laundry basket and store it in a safe place out of the way until the birth. Having these things ready ahead of time helps the midwife to set up quickly so she can focus more of her attention on your family during labour.

• 8-10 clean older washcloths (for compresses)

• 6-8 large clean older towels (for drying everyone)

• 6 receiving blankets

• Large waterproof tarp, or plastic sheet. Plastic shower curtains or painter's sheet work well.

• 2 large-sized bowls (1 for nausea and 1 for the placenta)

• 2 large garbage bags (large blue clear recycling bags are great)

• 2 extra large, sturdy zip-lock bags

• 1 digital thermometer

• 1 large pack of overnight sanitary pads (avoid “Always” brand or dry weave pads because they cause rashes, discomfort and sometimes pull out stitches)

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Advil), and Dimenhydrinate (Gravol) (please do not buy the natural, or non-drowsy version of Gravol)

• Loose and comfortable clothing to wear after the birth

• A few diapers

• 2 newborn-size baby hats

• A small unopened container of unscented oil (e.g. olive, almond or coconut oil)

• A onesie and sleeper if you wish to dress the baby after the birth

• Hydrogen peroxide, or “green” bleach (to remove blood stains if needed)

• A large pot with a lid (to keep compresses warm)

• Phoenix Midwives birth bag (your midwives will provide you with the birth bag)

​To protect your mattress and pillows please prepare the bed as follows:

• Put on a clean fitted sheet on the mattress.

• Put on a clean top sheet.

• Put on a plastic sheet or shower curtain (over the sheets) to completely cover the mattress.

• On top of the plastic sheet put a clean, older fitted sheet for the birth.

• Next is a clean, older top sheet and any other blankets you wish to use.

• Prepare 4-6 pillows in the same manner with a clean pillowcase, a garbage bag to protect the pillow and a clean older pillowcase on top. ​

Please have these items ready 4 weeks before your due date.

Place items in an overnight bag and keep them near the front door for quick and easy transport to the hospital. Food, money and wallet can be added last minute.

• Comfortable clothing to wear while laboring

• Comfortable change of clothing to wear home (for the labour person and their support people in case their clothes get dirty)

• Outfit for baby (a onesie, sleeper and hats)

• A few receiving blankets

• Toiletries (hairbrush, toothbrush, soap, toothpaste, chapstick, hair ties, moisturizer, etc.)

• ​A small unopened container of unscented oil (e.g. olive, almond or coconut oil)

• Snacks (aim for snacks that are a good source of protein and energy and that don’t require refrigeration. E.g. granola, nuts, dried fruit, cheese, coconut water, honey, etc.)

• Camera

• Personal items that may make your hospital room feel cozier

• Music and a small portable music player

• Car seat (ready and installed in the car and be familiar with how to use it)

• Healthcare card and some kind of government-issued identification (make sure it is safely stored in your wallet and that your wallet is easily accessible close to your hospital bag)

• Cash (to pay for parking and to buy food)

• Phoenix Midwives birth bag (your midwives will provide you with the birth bag, but there is no need to bring it with you to the hospital)​

• Small fish aquarium net

• Swimming outfit (for partner, or support person in case they get in the water)

• Extra towels

If using an inflatable pool, rather than a bathtub please also have available:

• Inflatable pool

• Plastic sheet (to protect the floor under the pool)

• Pump (to inflate the pool)

• New garden hose

• Sink faucet attachment for hose, with reverse/draining ability (Y adapter)