PARENT'S SUPPLY LIST
Olive Oil
Antibacterial Soap
Bulb Syringe (rubber ear type 3 oz)
4 X 4 Sterile Gauze Pads (2 dozen)
Cotton Balls
Hydrogen Peroxide
Bendable Straws
Plastic Drop Cloth or Shower Curtain
Bleach
Oral Thermometer (for mother)
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Plastic Trash Bags
Disposable Underpads (at least 20)
Sanitary Napkins (Incontinence Pads)
Sanitary Belt, if needed
4 Bed Sheets
4 Bath Towels
8 Receiving Blankets (for baby)
Plastic Eye Dropper
Rectal Thermometer (for infant)
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The sheets, washcloths, towels, and receiving blankets should be freshly cleaned and
dried in a hot dryer for 10 extra minutes. These should be bagged in plastic and taped
shut until they are ready to use.
Herbs: Shepherd's Purse, Comfrey Leaf, Raspberry Leaf, Echinacea, Ginger Root
Make up some raspberry leaf tea ice cubes before labor begins. These are wonderful to
suck on during labor, are highly nutritious and assist labor by promoting good effective
uterine contractions. Other suggestions for labor nutrition are light soups (such as
boullions and chicken soup), fruit juices which are not highly acidic (such as apple
juice), herbal teas (ginger root or peppermint tea for nausea, raspberry leaf, nettle
leaf, alfalfa leaf for vitamin K content and nutritional value.
The baby will need to have some basic supplies for the birth, but more will be needed
for a standard layette.
Newborn Diapers (cloth or disposable)
Diaper Pins (if using cloth diapers)
Wrap-around Undershirts
Diaper Liners (if using cloth diapers)
Socks or booties
Stocking Cap(s)
Full-length Nightgowns
Baby Quilt or Warm Blanket
Other suggestions: Film & camera. We will be taking photos of before and after the
birth, but parents may also want to take some photos. Video camera. Water bath or
kiddy swimming pool, if planning a water birth experience. Relaxing music. Aromatherapy
incense, candles and oils. Massage oils, scented with aromatherapy essential oils.
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THE MIDWIFE'S KIT (Partial List)
Fetoscope
Doppler
Watch with second hand
Blood Pressure Cuff
Stethoscope
2 Curved Hemostats
1 Pair Scissors with Blunt Point
1 Pair Scissors with Sharp Point
1 Needleholder
3 Mosquito Forceps
1 Ring Forceps
Umbilical Tape
Instrument Tray with Cover
Sterile Gloves
Non-Sterile Exam Gloves
Disposable Underpads
Lubricating Jelly
Suture Materials
Hemoglobinometer
Vitamin E for baby
Digital Thermometer & probe covers
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Natural Vitamin K for baby
Herbal Eye Wash for baby
Urine Testing Strips
Pregnancy Tests
Plastic Disposable Amnihooks
DeLee Mucus Trap
Cord Blood Tubes
Bulb Syringe
Alcohol Prep Pads
4 X 4 Gauze Pads
Water Bottle
Hot & Cold Instant Compresses
Heating Pad
Head Lamp for suturing
Flash Light
Infant Scale
Tape Measure
Oxygen Tank & supplies
Lancet Device & Lancets
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Herbal Tinctures: Angelica, Shepherd's Purse, Blue Cohosh
Herbs: Shepherd's Purse, Comfrey, Blue Cohosh, Hops, Valerian, Licorice Root,
Skullcap, Chamomile
This is a basic list. I carry much more than this but this will give you some idea about
what I do carry.
Care & Preparation of Instruments
Most of the instruments require no special care, except for those which must be scrubbed
and sterilized repeatedly. Careful cleaning immediately after use is a good idea since
dried blood cakes up hinges and is difficult to remove. Use scouring pads to clean blood
from the grooved blades of the forceps and needleholder. The first method for sterilizing
your instruments is by boiling. Boil the instruments and instrument tray in a large pot of
water for 25 minutes. Be sure to remember to sterilize the tongs that you will use for
removing instruments from the water, and be sure to place them in the water with handles
up. Once 25 minutes have passed, let the pot cool off a bit and then remove the try with
the tongs. Open some packets of sterile gauze, put on a sterile glove, and line the tray
with your tongs. Then use the tongs once again to place the instruments in the tray, and
cover (either drip-dry the cover as it's removed or blot with sterile gauze). Place in a
doubled paper bag, wrap it up snuggly, tape and date it.
A simpler method is the baking method. All you have to do is bake your double-wrapped
package of tray, liner, and tools for one hour in a 250 degree oven. Be sure to add a
pan of water so the bag doesn't scorch. Simply remove, cool, and store. Repeat the
sterilization every 2 weeks.
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