What do you need to arrange to give birth at home?
You will need to make sure that:
- you always have your pregnancy notes to hand
- you have a maternity kit in the house in good time (from 37 weeks, ideally under the bed)
- you can lie in bed for the birth in such a way that the midwife can always help you from your right-hand side
- the bed stands at least 80 cm off the floor; raise it if necessary with blocks, crates or an extra firm mattress
- you do not choose to give birth in the attic
- you give birth downstairs if you weigh more than 100 kg
- you give birth downstairs if the stairs are very steep
- you always have a bag packed in case you need to go to hospital
What needs to be in the house?
A maternity kit is always needed. If your health insurer covers the cost, you will receive the kit at around 30 weeks of pregnancy. Put the box under the bed without unpacking it. Do note: not every insurer covers this. If yours does not provide a maternity kit, you will need to buy these items yourself.
The maternity kit contains:
- 10 bed pads (large ones for preference)
- maternity mattress
- mattress protector
- 2 packs of small gauze swabs
- 10 large gauze swabs
- bottle of surgical spirit
- 2 cord clamps
- roll of nappy tape
- bottle of hand gel
- pump bottle of disinfectant hand soap
- pack of nappy liners
- 2 packs of maternity pads
Besides the maternity kit you will also need:
- 2 buckets
- 2 bin bags
- 2 metal hot water bottles or a Zensy baby warmer
- 10 washed and ironed muslin squares
- 2 thermometers (one for you and one for the baby)
- cotton wool
- torch or work lamp
- bedpan
- camera
- roll of toilet paper
- glucose tablets, if you like