The Environment

• Space (just a little) to move around, squat, lean and kneel in
• Lighting, music, candles to create a relaxing environment for during labour
• Calm: choose your support well and if your children will be a distraction arrange for someone else to have them. Siblings often enjoy being part of the birth story if that suits you!

Food and Drink

• Light nutritious snacks (e.g. fruit juice, yoghurt, bananas, toast, honey, jaffa cakes (honest!)
• Milk based smoothies / ice-cream
• Glucose tablets
• Food for your partner

Helpful items of equipment

• A pool if you are planning a water birth
• Large plastic sheeting: cheap shower curtains are good, but they must be the real ‘plasticy ones’ that won’t be porous and leak! Ground sheets or sheets from builders’ yards are also good.
• Lots of old towels and sheets
• Plenty of hot water for showers and baths during and after labour
• Plenty of cushions and pillows
• Camera
• Water spray
• Something loose and comfy to wear during labour
• A bucket
• A plastic container for the placenta (an old ice-cream tub is useful)
• Angle poised lamp or strong torch
• A clear firm surface for the midwives
• Dustbin bags    

Other helpful things 

• Bendy straws
• Milk – for all the tea we drink!
• Hair knots
• Hotwater bottle
• Clean flannels
• Rescue remedy
• Homeopathic kit if you are familiar
• TENS
• Paracetamol
• Arnica
• Tea tree oil
• Warm soft blanket to welcome the baby
• Nappies

Something celebratory to eat & drink after the birth!

It can also be helpful to ensure you have some good food in the freezer for your ‘babymoon’, lots of maternity pads, old comfy (big!) knickers. Have two boxes prepared – one for mum & one for baby – this means you have everything in one handy place (and is easy to pack for hospital should the need arise).

We bring our own snacks (so don’t worry about us) but please provide lots of tea & coffee!