This holistic home birth kit list includes all the essentials you will need plus my personal favorites for natural birth.
As we prepare for our 5th baby to come into the world, here is what I am gathering for our home birth.
*In a hurry? Pin this article for later!
This post contains affiliate links. By using these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you on qualifying purchases. See full privacy policy here.
How to have a positive home birth experience:
Mindset
A mama’s mindset is everything when preparing for a natural labor and delivery. I highly encourage reading and listening to stories of other successful home births and do your best to avoid trauma stories or stories that increase any kind of anxiety.
Birth Team
Work with a birthing team that fully supports your goals and you feel confident working with. Choose a reliable midwifery practice and don’t be afraid to interview various practices and shop around. Midwives are there to support pregnant women during this special time.
Plan
Having a clear vision and plan for your dream birth is key. Holding your plan loosely is a good idea too, but don’t be afraid to have a positive expectation for your birth.
Education
Know the ins and outs of the birthing process, postpartum care, caring for a new baby. The more you can envision how a positive birth experience can look, the better you can help set your mind on preparing for a positive experience.
One of the best ways to educate yourself if you are new to home birth is to meet with other women who have had home births. Reach out and have them over for tea and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
If in person connection is not possible, there are positive birth stories online.
A few resources for positive birth stories are:
- YouTube– Lisa from Farmhouse on Boone has posted numerous home birth stories from her personal experiences.
- Podcasts– such as The Happy Homebirth podcast
Books
Further resources for home birth planning and creating a holistic home birth kit:
If you are planning to take a birthing class, I would ensure that the class is specific to having a positive home birth. You will not only learn the ins and outs of birth, postpartum, and newborn care but the goal of the class is to set you up for positive home birth outcomes instead of filling your mind with ins and outs of hospital practice.
Only attend a class that is centered around your birthing goals. As new parents, this was helpful for my husband and I.
Christian Postpartum Course
I have used this Christian Postpartum Course from Angie Tolpin for each pregnancy and postpartum season. This is a wonderful resource and the only specifically Christian Postpartum resource I have found on the topic. (not sponsored)
The course includes checklists of natural and holistic birthing supplies. I have referenced this list to build my birth kit time and time again. I highly recommend this resource.
What’s in my holistic home birth kit?
Here is a list of the necessary supplies I am stocking in our home birth kit for baby 5.
For Birth
- Birth tub– Even if you are not planning a water birth, a tub is a nice option to have on hand for relaxation. My midwife has a birth tub to lend out but if that is not an option, check what other resource your care provider would recommend or purchase your own.
- Essential oils– I love using essential oils during pregnancy and postpartum. Especially for hormone support and recovery. My favorite essential oils are quality oils from Young Living (personal reference link). I haven’t found any other brand I like as much.
*Please avoid drugstore essential oils. Not all essential oils are created equal and they can be very harmful if research and third-party testing is not verified.
The best resources I have found for essential oil safety during pregnancy and postpartum are the books:
- Gentle Babies by Debra Raybern
- Betsy Bosom’s Baby Book: A Girlfriend’s Guide to Using Essential Oils from Bellies to Babies
- 2 sets of sheets– When baby time is here, we make the bed with 2 sets of sheets with a shower curtain in between. This makes for easy clean up after birth and a fresh bed to tuck into with your new baby.
- Shower curtain
- Towels
- Hydrogen Peroxide- This is cheap and gets blood out of anything.
- Crock pot meal- For birth team and nourishment after birth.
- Written out phone number list- For husband and helpers to reference (midwives, childcare numbers, etc).
- Hot water bottle– I find this is a nice addition to a typical electric heating pad.
- Soft lighting– Battery candles or soft yellow-lit lamps help provide a calming atmosphere.
- Birth ball
- Tucks pads
- Adult diapers– I find the mesh, organic cotton underwear to be the best option here.
- Birth playlist
- Water bottle with a straw
- Relyte electrolytes
- Magnesium lotion
- Combs– I like to use these to squeeze for pain management.
- Light snacks or honey sticks for blood sugar
- Scripture/ encouragement cards
- Camera
For Postpartum
- Peri bottle
- Herbal teas– Sitz bath teas are nice to fill the Peri bottles with for recovery and healing.
- Large, non-toxic pads
- Bowl for placenta– any large bowl
- Heating pad
- Hot water bottle
- Sitz bath
- Belly band– A belly band helps my core tremendously after birth. I feel more held together when wearing a belly band. It can also help the process of the uterus going back to normal size.
- Herbal salves– Salves for breastfeeding, tearing, and muscle pains can be very helpful postpartum. Some of my favorites are arnica gel or cream and Earth Mama nipple butter for breastfeeding.
- Scripture/ encouragement cards
Newborn Care
These newborn essentials are for just after birth. For my favorite minimalist newborn care list, you can find that here. (coming soon!)
For any fabric that will be in direct contact with the baby, I try to source organic natural fibers and fabrics whenever possible.
- Bulb syringes
- Baby hats
- Newborn diapers– non-toxic or cloth
- Receiving blankets
- Soft washcloths
- Digital thermometer
- Heat pad– this is great for warming up blankets for the baby after birth.
Planning for a water birth:
- Extra shower curtains
- Extra Towels
- Birth pool liners
- Bathing suit for you and partner
Holistic Home Birth Kit from Radiant Belly
My midwife has designed a personalized birthing kit from Radiant Belly that has things like the umbilical cord clamp, pool liners, gloves, sanitary pads and other home birth supplies that I won’t need to hunt down. Most midwives offer this option in my experience with this being my second home birth.
Holistic Home Birth Kit on the Go: “Just in Case” Hospital Bag
- Slippers
- Cozy socks
- Pillow and blanket– even a neck pillow is nice for sitting up in a bed.
- Cozy nursing friendly nightgown
- Bluetooth speaker and charger
- Phone charger
- Favorite newborn caps
- A print out of my birth plan
- Belly band
- Herbal salves
- Natural remedies
- Essential oils and diffuser
- Nipple butter
- Baby clothes
- Sitz bath tea
- Heating pad
- Toiletries
- Scripture cards
- Camera
Have you experienced a home birth?
What would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
