Please have everything on the list together and in one place at the time of the
home visit 1 month prior to your due date.

Birthing Kit:
Order the River Valley Midwives birthing kit. Order #40294 from

Linens:
4 receiving blankets
4 bath towels
2 cotton newborn hats
2-3 flannel backed tablecloths (1 for bed protection and 1-2 for floor)

(** Be sure to air out the tablecloths as they often "off-gas" a plastic smell)

4 face clothes
2 sets of cotton sheets (1 older one and one clean "good" set)
4-6 pillows for support during labor

It is best if all linen is of the quality and age that it does not matter if it gets
stained. Please pre-wash all linen and baby clothes.

Supplies:
1 large packet of "overnight" menstrual pads
2 large plastic garbage bags (for laundry and garbage)
2 gallon sized Ziploc bags for the placenta
Additional kitchen sized plastic bags to cover the pillows if desired
2 cookie sheets (with lip) to be used as instrument trays
1 unopened roll of “VIVA” paper towels (these are the softest)
4 large bottles of Smart Water (whole foods)
Miso (for postpartum revitalization)
Large flashlight with extra batteries
6-12 candles (in case of electricity outage)
1 heating pad
Space heater (birth room needs to be close to 80 degrees at time of birth)
sitz bath container

Medicinals:
1 labor tincture (buy $8 at office from Earthwise Medicinal)
Evening Primrose Oil gel caps (take 2000mg from 34 weeks on)
1/8oz (approx) goldenseal powder for cord care of newborn
6oz unopened bottle of almond, sesame or olive oil OR 2oz arnica oil (perineal
massage)
16oz bottle of witch hazel (for frozen pads after the birth)
Sitz bath herbs (buy $5 at office from Moon Flower Herbals)
1 bottle Rescue Remedy (Bach Flower Essence)
Arnica 30C (soft tabs preferred but any is OK) for swelling
Lanolin or other nipple care preparation
1 Blackhaw tincture (for moms who are on baby #2 and more only)
Aleve (pain reliever) for mom's who are on baby #2 and more)

Birth Packs:
Gather supplies that you have gotten from above list and add the additional
ones needed and create 3 separate bags:

Mother Bag: nightgown, 2 pairs of underwear, T-shirt

Baby Bag: diapers, diaper wraps, shirt sleepwear, 2 newborn hats (other than
the ones above), more receiving blankets

Birth Bag: bath towels, receiving blankets washcloths, sheets, mattress covers
(tablecloths) all from above list.

Foods
You'll need juice, fruit, yoghurt, popsicles, ice cubes, teas, honey, miso, or any
other light foods you might like during labor.

Food on hand for partner, support people, and midwives is also essential
Have a nice meal prepared ahead of time (which can be done by one of you
support people) and place it in the freezer. It should be something you would
like to eat after your birth and would appeal to you at any time of the day or
night.

Weather
If your birth is going to happen during the winter months, please have sand/salt
for the walkways, stairs, and driveway. This is particularly important in case of
an emergency.
Also, if you heat by woodstove, have a "baby bundle" of wood set aside not to
be touched before the birth just in case it is in the end of the season and you
are low on wood.
Please have a back up snow plower set up for your driveway if applicable
In case of non-emergency transport to hospital, have a pre packed bag for
mother and baby. Be sure your baby car seat is in the car prior to due date.

Bed Making Instructions
Make your bed with sheets suitable for postpartum time period. Then place
the flannel backed tablecloth over the sheets to protect them. Now put old
fitted sheet over that. After the birth, we will "peel off" the older sheets and
plastic clover for a ready made bed.

Other possible supplies:
You favorite music
Camera with plenty of film
Breast pump
Good nursing bra