What do you need to arrange?
You will need to make sure that:
- you always have your pregnancy card 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 we 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 for hospital; what to put in it is listed under Outpatient hospital birth
At a home birth the maternity nurse comes too; she assists us during the birth and then stays for you and your baby. So arrange maternity care in good time.
What needs to be in the house?
A maternity kit is always needed. If a maternity kit is included in your supplementary insurance, it is sent to you at around 30 weeks — you often have to request it yourself. If not, you buy one at the chemist or online. Put the box under the bed without unpacking it.
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
- 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 with covers
- 10 washed and ironed muslin squares
- 2 thermometers (one for you and one for the baby)
- cotton wool
- torch or work lamp
- bedpan
- phone or camera
- roll of toilet paper
- glucose tablets, if you like