So you’ve chosen to birth freely and undisturbed, congratulations! I am so excited for your decision. Feel free to refer to my resources list, where I share the resources that have helped me in my preparation journey for my freebirth. I am minimal and practical by nature so this list reflects that.
Labor
- A guide for emergencies:
- Birth pool or bathtub
- Exercise ball (make sure it’s the correct size for you. Your hips should be higher than your knees when sitting on it)
- Snacks (easy to eat in labor)
- Electrolyte drink (coconut water works great too, or water with honey and a pinch of salt)
- 4-6 Towels
- 15-25 Chux pads
- Fetoscope/Doppler (necessity depending on you)
- Aquarium fish net (to catch feces in the water)
- Battery operated tea-light candles (for a cozy atmosphere)
- Music speaker
Birth & Immediate Postpartum
For me:
- Placenta bowl
- 2 Gallon bags for placenta
- Herbs:
- Angelica (placenta release)
- Witch Hazel tincture (Excessive bleeding)
- Shepherd’s Purse or Flow Stopper by Wishgarden (CAUTION: Shepherd’s Purse causes clotting. Research thoroughly before using.)
- Yunnan Baiyou (Excessive bleeding after birth of placenta)
- Red Rasberry Leaf tea (with honey; immediate postpartum drink to support uterus shrinking) (buy in bulk here)
- Peppermint essential oil (for the toilet bowl if unable to urinate)
- Manuka honey, seaweed, and herbal bath for tearing. Check out my guide here.
- Skullcap and Motherwort tinctures used together(Postpartum uterine cramping)
- Arnica homeopathy (bruising, aching muscles, swelling) (“General guidelines for taking a homeopathic remedy include avoiding eating, drinking or having anything in your mouth 15-20min before and after taking your remedy. Only take the remedy when your mouth is clean, free of tastes, odors or smoke. Additionally, do not touch the remedy with your fingers or hands. It’s advised that you pour 3-5 pellets into the cap of the vial, and transfer from the cap directly into your mouth, under your tongue and allow to slowly dissolve.”)
- Gauze (to apply pressure in case of excessive bleeding)
- Large trash bag for chux pads and towels
- Hydrogen Peroxide (to get out blood stains on fabric)
For baby:
- Receiving blankets
- 2-3 Cord clamps, floss/string, or 100% beeswax candles to burn the cord
- Sharp sterile scissors (to cut the umbilical cord)
- Eldon card (if you are interested in baby’s blood type) + syringe needle (to take blood out of the cord/placenta)
- Scale (for baby’s weight)
- Measuring tape (for baby’s length)
Postpartum for me
- Herbs:
- Skullcap and Motherwort tinctures used together (Postpartum uterine cramping)
- Magnesium lotion (on thighs to promote restful sleep and prevent muscle contractions (Charley Horse), or on tummy, rubbed in a clockwise directions to stimulate the bowels and relieve constipation)
- Nipple balm (for sore nipples)
- Marshmallow Root extract (for plugged ducts and mastitis)
- Sunflower lecithin (for plugged ducts and mastitis)
- Arnica homeopathy (bruising, aching muscles, swelling)
- Peri bottle (I’m personally not a fan of the upside down versions)
- Lots of bedside snacks (only warm food and drinks to aid in healing)
- Disposable underwear
- Pads & liners
- Haakaa (great to collect milk from other breast when nursing to save and to relieve engorged breasts. HIGHLY recommend from experience getting the haakaa with suction base and cap)
- Nursing bras (regular stretchy bras work well for many women)
- Reusable nipple pads
- Breastfeeding pillow
- Heating pad
- Night lamp
- Unscented body care products (to not interfere with nursing and bonding)
- Primally pure charcoal deodorant (the only deodorant that works for my postpartum body odor when going out)
- Wraps & carrier
Postpartum for baby & infancy
- Herbs:
- Infant tummy relief (for gassy or upset tummies. Good for you or baby)
- Magnesium lotion (on thighs to promote restful sleep or on tummy, rubbed in a clockwise directions to stimulate the bowels and relieve constipation)
- Newborn diapers (good article here on nontoxic baby diapers. We use disposable diapers for the first month and then switch to cloth when I am ready to be on my feet again)
- Coconut or olive oil (for diaper changes)
- Baby wipes
- Sound machine
- Nail scissors
- Organic clothes
- Car seat (4 flame retardant free colors: Drift, Eclipse Black, Plum, and Cadet)
That’s it, friends! Let me know in the comments below of anything else you added to your list or if you found some items unnecessary for you!
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*Disclosure: I only recommend products I have used or would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
