What to Pack in Your Home Birth Kit

Planning a home birth in Canada? You are in good company. More and more families are choosing to welcome their babies at home, supported by a registered midwife, in an environment they control.

A home birth can mean dimmed lights, your own shower, your own kitchen, and your own bed to recover in. But that comfort and flexibility come with one important responsibility: having the right supplies ready before labour begins.

A well-prepared home birth kit covers your birth environment, your comfort and support during labour, your postpartum recovery, and everything your newborn needs in those first hours. Think of it as your hospital bag, rebuilt from scratch for home.

TL;DR

A solid home birth kit covers four main areas: your birth environment setup, supplies for labour comfort, postpartum recovery essentials, and newborn basics. Your midwife brings all the medical equipment. Your job is everything else on this list. Get it gathered by 36 weeks so it is ready whenever the baby decides to arrive.

Setting the Scene: Creating a Calm Birth Environment

One of the joys of a home birth is that you get to set the tone. Dim lighting, your favourite playlist, a battery-operated candle or two -- it is your space, so make it feel like yours.

Prep your birthing room well before your due date. Whether you are using your bedroom, a guest room, or the living room, keep the space clutter-free and easy to navigate. Layer up as follows:

• Bottom layer: a clean fitted sheet over the mattress
• Middle layer: a waterproof covering (shower curtain, plastic sheet, or waterproof mattress protector)
• Top layer: another clean fitted sheet; the one that will get messy (and it will; that is completely normal)

Have a big stack of old towels on hand. Seriously, more than you think you will need. A large plastic bowl or pail is also useful for placenta delivery. Keep hydrogen peroxide nearby for treating blood stains on linens and laundry and have a few large garbage bags ready for fast cleanup.

If you are planning a water birth, inflate your birthing pool a few days early to confirm it holds air, and do a test fill to check your water heater capacity. Aim for a water temperature of around 37 degrees Celsius, roughly body temperature. Your midwife will guide you on the right time to get in; typically, once active labour is well established, though this varies by person and preference.

What Your Midwife Brings vs. What You Provide

In Ontario, registered midwives bring all medically necessary equipment to every home birth: sterile gloves, oxygen, IV supplies, medications, cord clamp and scissors, a Doppler for monitoring the baby, and infant resuscitation equipment. You do not need to source any of that.

What you are responsible for is the support side: your environment setup, comfort supplies during labour, postpartum recovery products, and newborn basics. The sections below cover all of it.

Note: Always confirm with your specific midwifery practice what they bring and what they expect you to have ready. Every practice may differ slightly.

Supplies for You: Labour

Labour at home means you can move freely, eat, rest, and position yourself however feels right. Have these ready before your due date:

• Sports bra or bikini top: something you do not mind parting with, especially if you plan to labour in water
• Delivery gown or loose shorts: the Frida Mom Delivery and Nursing Gown works well for both labouring and nursing in those first hours
• Robe: useful if you are moving in and out of a birth pool
• Water bottle with a straw: staying hydrated during labour matters; a straw makes sipping easier between contractions
• Snacks and electrolyte drinks: light options like applesauce, broth, honey sticks, or granola bars; electrolyte drinks help between contractions
• Extra pillows and blankets: bring out the ones you do not mind getting messy; great for support positions and resting between contractions
• Heating pad or hot water bottle: excellent for lower back tension and cramping
• Massage tools: a tennis ball, a handheld massager, or a very willing partner all work
• Ice packs: useful during and immediately after birth
• Bluetooth speaker and curated playlist: have it queued up before labour starts
• Pail or large bowl: for nausea during labour; more common than you might expect
• Mirror (optional): for watching the baby arrive, if that is something you want

Supplies for You: Postpartum Recovery

This is the section most first-time home birth parents underestimate. The frida mom line covers almost everything you need, and it is worth stocking up well before the baby arrives. If you want a shortcut, the frida mom Labour and Delivery Recovery Kit and the Post Partum Recovery Kit bundle several of these items together.

• Disposable Postpartum Underwear (8-Pack): comfortable, high-coverage, and no laundry stress in those first raw days
• Instant Ice Maxi Pads: activate-on-contact ice relief without needing a separate ice pack
• Postpartum Pads (18-Pack): designed specifically for postpartum flow; heavier than typical pads
• Witch Hazel Cooling Pad Liners (24-Pack): soothing and cooling for perineal recovery; layer inside your postpartum underwear
• Witch Hazel Perineal Healing Foam: spray directly for extra soothing relief after using the washroom
• Perineal Cooling Comfort Cushion: a sit-down essential in the first days, especially after perineal tearing or stitches
• Upside Down Peri Bottle: fill with warm water to gently rinse after using the washroom -- a genuine must-have
• Cooling Hydrogel Nipple Pads: soothing relief as you establish breastfeeding
• All-Day Dry Nursing Pads: leak protection once your milk comes in
• Hot + Cold Breast Relief Packs: dual-function relief for engorgement or discomfort
• Earth Mama Organics Nipple Butter: a breastfeeding staple; lanolin-free and baby-safe
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Advil): keep both on hand for postpartum discomfort
• Button-down or zip-front top and robe: easy access for skin-to-skin and feeding in those first hours

Essentials for Baby

After all that hard work, baby is here. Have these within arm's reach before labour begins:

• Receiving blankets: wrap baby right away to help regulate body temperature; have several clean ones ready
• Large clean towels: for drying baby at birth, have at least two or three on hand; use ones you are happy retiring to birth duty
• Two newborn hats: newborns lose heat quickly through their heads
• Newborn diapers: a small supply to cover the first few days
• Fragrance-free baby wipes: gentle on newborn skin
• Olive oil: for the baby's bottom through those first meconium nappy changes
• First outfit: a soft cotton onesie and hat for those first-hour photos

Need a full newborn gear checklist? Our Must-Have Newborn Essentials for the First 30 Days covers everything.

Emergency Backup Plan

Most home births go smoothly. Still, being prepared for a transfer is part of being prepared, full stop.

• A fully charged phone: with your midwife's number, your doula if you have one, and the nearest hospital saved and easy to find
• A packed hospital bag: have it ready just in case; our What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag guide covers everything you would need
• Infant car seat: installed before your due date, whether you plan to transfer or not
• Health card and ID: keep them in your hospital bag so there is no scrambling under pressure

Nice-to-Have Extras

Every birth experience is different. Some families find these additions meaningful:

• Notebook or journal: to track contractions or jot down the experience as it unfolds
• Keepsake items: footprint kits, baby books, or a special outfit for those very first family photos
• Camera or charged phone: for capturing those first moments
• Small bright lamp: useful for your midwife to assess things without turning on overhead lights
• Grounded extension cord or power bar: your midwife may need to plug in equipment close to your birthing space

Final Thoughts

Choosing a home birth is a beautiful decision, and walking into it prepared makes the whole experience smoother and more focused on what actually matters: doing the work and meeting your baby.

And remember, even the most thoughtful birth plan adapts. Having a hospital bag packed and a clear transfer plan is not pessimism; it is just good preparation. If your backup involves a hospital stay, our What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag guide has everything you need.

Wishing you a smooth, supported, and joy-filled birth. You've got this!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your registered midwife or healthcare provider when preparing for your birth experience.