The gentlebirth.org website is provided courtesy of
Ronnie Falcao, LM MS,
a homebirth midwife in Mountain View, CA
An interactive resource for moms on easy steps they can take to reduce exposure to chemical toxins during pregnancy. Other excellent resources about avoiding toxins during pregnancy These are easy to read and understand and are beautifully presented. |
Have your list of emergency phone numbers near the phone. Your doctor, pediatrician, ambulance, and hospital numbers should all be included. Also include your address, phone number, and directions to your home.
MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES:
Extra people (Support for children, gofer, etc.) Clean clothes for all - who should also be bathed 1 roll of paper towels Flashlight with fresh batteries Heating pad or hot water bottle Box of trash bags (at least one bag should be white) for laundry, trash, placenta, pillows, etc.) 2 large bowls - 1 for placenta, 1 for emesis 1 empty squirt bottle - for rinsing perineum after birth Crushed ice in 3 or 4 sandwich bags for ice packs 3 or 4 bottles of Gatorade, Third Wind or Recharge Extra juice - especially important after the birth Thermometer Extra food - for mother, friends, midwives Sanitary napkin belt or sanitary briefs Box of hospital sized sanitary napkins Box of maxi size sanitary napkins Nightgown for after the birth Diapers Rubbing Alcohol (73%) for cord care Flexible strawsOptional: Camera- with film and flash Powder Chapstick Popsicles or frozen juice cubes Nursing bra & pads Warm socks
BIRTH KIT
20 Large Chux - disposable underpads 1 - 3oz. bulb (ear) syringe 1 - bottle oil for massage, preferably in squirt bottle 1 - box 4x4 sterile gauze pads or topper sponges (min.20 pads) 12 individually wrapped sterile gloves (size medium) 1 - cord clamp 1 - bottle 91% alcohol 1 - tube STERILE lubricating jelly (HR, K-Y, etc.) 1 - baby cap
BEDDING
1 set of clean sheets for use after the birth Clean pillow cases for use after the birth 1 plastic mattress cover or thick polyethylene Firm mattress (place plywood underneath if too soft or have a 6-10 inch stack of newspapers in a garbage bag) Cover pillows with plastic bag - then pin case to pillow
The following supplies should be washed, dried, placed in separate grocery bags, sealed with tape or staples, labeled as to their contents and placed in the center of the oven (don't let the bag touch the top or sides of the oven.) Place a pan of water in the bottom of the oven and bake for 2 hours at 200 - 250 degrees. Watch carefully to avoid scorching. or Run these items through an extra cycle in the dryer (at least an hour) and place in plastic bags with a twist tie.
Do not open the bags. They will be opened as needed.
At least 2 sheets (fitted and top sheet) Pillow cases At least 4 towels (these are used to cover the baby immediately after the birth) At least 4 washcloths At least 4 receiving blanketsThe following items need not be baked, but washed, placed and labeled in a bag.
Clothes for the baby Diapers for the baby (except when using disposable) 2 receiving blanketsWhen you feel pretty certain that you are in labor, make up your bed with the clean sheets that you have for after the birth. Place the plastic sheet over them. Place the baked sheet on top of the plastic (pinning the corners to prevent slipping.) This will make your bed all ready for the birth.
After the birth we will strip your bed and clean up your room while
you are showering.
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