Birth support supplies

If you'd like to easily print this, here is a PDF you can download and save to your phone or computer and print. This PDF has check boxes for you mark off as you gather the support supplies you want.

Birth Support Supplies for comfort and non-medicinal pain management

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These are supplies and tools to use for comfort and coping with contractions. You may want to buy these things during pregnancy to prepare for the birth. There are also many other methods of coping with contractions including movement, positioning, hydrotherapy, counter-pressure, massage, and more. 
 
If there are any other supplies you use to provide comfort during labor or cope with contractions, feel welcome to comment on the blog. I may add it to the list.
 

• For positioning
• To distract from the intensity of contractions
• Hydrotherapy
• Soothing heat
• Cool down  
• Massage tools
• Aromatherapy   
• Setting the environment
• Supporting the best mindset
• Other things to buy for comfort and support

For positioning

• Pillows
• Birth ball
  • The pump to inflate the birth ball
• Peanut ball
• Rebozo or birth scarf (often used for counter-pressure as well)
• A birth sling (labor sling or hammock)  
• A birth rope if you want to pull on it during delivery

 
 
To distract from the intensity of contractions

• TENS machine  
• A wooden comb in the hand   
• Massage or reflexology tools for the hands to squeeze instead of a comb
• Stress balls or something to squeeze during a contraction (though we recommend releasing tension as much as possible, sometimes it’s helpful to squeeze something). If she’s in the tub, you can get swim balls to squeeze.  

 
 
Hydrotherapy 

• A big water jug to stay hydrated 
• Straws (flexible may be easier)
• Have extra ice ready
• Keep cold water in the fridge ready to refill her water jug
• Towels to dry off with when getting out of the shower or tub

 
 
Soothing heat

• A heat pack filled with corn or rice (you may want more than one)
• A British rubber hot water bottle
  
• An electric heating pad (If you get the large ones, you can also use it as a towel warmer.)
  
• A crockpot of warm water to put hand towels or washcloths in for the comfort of a relaxing warm compress
• You can also use a ceramic dutch oven to preserve dry warmth. Throw some hand towels in the dryer. Fold them into a dutch oven to keep warm. If you don’t have a dutch oven, you can use a slow cooker (crock-pot) with a lid.
• You may desire to set up a birth pool to labor and/or deliver in. Using a birth pool does require several items to go with it.  

 
 
Cool down

• A hand fan (You can also use a clipboard)
• An electric fan to sit by
• A battery-operated fan (there are some with flexible legs that wrap around hospital beds)
• Washcloths
• A cooler with ice water to dip washcloths in
• Ice bag packs

 
 
Massage tools

• A rolling pin is a cheap massage tool
• Massage ball roller
• Handheld massage tools
• Tennis balls (to rub on her back)
• Any back and shoulder massagers the mom likes
• A scalp massager
• Massage oils or lotion that you know you like (and are not allergic to)

 
 
Aromatherapy

• Essential oils or calming fragrance oils
• A diffuser (may not be able to be used in a hospital especially depending on what is being diffused)
• Cotton balls and plastic bags to keep scents contained

 
 
Setting the environment

• Soft lighting (low lighting is often more relaxing for mom than bright lights on)
  • Salt lamps are nice
  • String lights or twinkle lights are a nice way to have low lighting
  • Electric candles  
• Music that she finds encouraging or calming
• A tablet to play music on (since your cell phones will likely get texts or calls interrupting the music)
  
• Earphones or headphones if she prefers that over the tablet
  
• Sound therapy or noise machine
• Star projector if that would calm you
• Ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones

 
 
Supporting the best mindset

• Birth affirmations
• Faith-based affirmations
• Encouraging scriptures

 
 
Other things to buy for comfort and support

• Lip balm
• Hair ties or something to get her hair out of the way if she wants
• Her own gown as an alternative to the hospital gown
• A comfortable robe
  
• Non-slip socks
  
• Slippers
  
• Hankies for tears or sweat
  
• An eye mask if she likes those
• A comfortable blanket
• Batteries for anything that needs it
• Back-up batteries
• Chargers for anything that needs it

 
 
Pro tip: Hire a DOULA.
 
 
While this list isn’t all you’ll need to prepare for birth or pack for the birth location, don’t forget to include items that will support you to have a more comfortable birth.
 
If there’s anything you would add, comment on the blog and I may add it to the list.

Maternal-infant Wellness Education
with Leanna Mae

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