A handy checklist for home birth can give you peace of mind and ensure you are prepared and have everything ready – before, during and after the birth. Use this as inspiration and adapt it to your needs.

✨ Before birth
It's a good idea to have a pre-packed bag ready in case you need to be transferred to the hospital during or after the birth. For example, pack:

• Clothes for baby (bodysuit, hat, duvet, etc. depending on the season).
• Car seat for home transport.
• A change of clothes and toothbrush for mom and dad.
• Nursing pads, toiletries and possibly snacks.
  
  

💧 During childbirth
Create a calm and safe environment with these things at hand:

• Warm soft towels in several sizes.
• Bedding that can get dirty and can be easily washed.
• Plastic underlay/wet bed sheet to protect bed and sofa.
• Feeding bowls and accessories if you want to feed in water.
• Washcloths for hot and cold compresses.
• Large garbage bags for trash and laundry.
• A roll of regular garbage bags.
• Wet wipes.
• Yoga ball.
• Yoga mat.
• Heating pad.
• Music for relaxation. Feel free to create a playlist of songs that you find calming and helpful.
• Lights for a calm atmosphere - e.g. a string of lights or LED lights.
• Juice, apple juice, cocoa milk, fruit, snacks and food in the fridge.
• Lip balm (the air can become dry while breathing).
• Straws so you can easily drink on the go.
• Camera or mobile phone for pictures/video – remember to have a charged battery and space on the memory card.
  
  

👶 After birth
When your baby is born, it's nice to have the following ready:

• Good working conditions for the midwife – e.g. a table and good lighting for journal writing.
• Table/ironing board for the midwife's equipment.
• Possibility of food, drink and a resting place for your midwife during longer procedures.
• A stable table and a lamp if you need to sew after the birth.
• Baby blanket, baby clothes and diapers.
• A small wash basin/bowl for the changing table.
• A stack of clean cloth diapers.
• Painkillers Panodil and Ipren (for after-partum pain or possible stitching pain).
• The freezer is full of ready-made meals, buns, etc.
• Comfortable underwear and loose clothing for mom.
• Nursing bra and nursing pads.
• Ointment for sore nipples (e.g. Lansinoh).
• Large volumes for the first few days.
• Homemade ice packs (wet a regular pack with water and freeze it – remember to put a piece of cloth between the pack and the skin).
• “Birthday celebration” – flags, food and drinks to celebrate the child's arrival.

💡 Bonus tip
It's a good idea to make the checklist well in advance so you can check off the items little by little. This will give you peace of mind as the day approaches – and you can focus on what's most important: meeting your child in a safe and loving environment.