Homebirth & Freebirth Essentials: A Christ-Centered Checklist for Labor, Birth, and Postpartum

From the first waves to the fourth trimester—what helped me most as a mother, a believer, and a woman birthing without fear.

There’s something sacred about birthing at home. No bright lights. No machines. No strangers. Just you, your baby, and the steady, holy presence of the Lord.

Whether you’re preparing for a midwife-assisted homebirth or walking the freebirth path like I have, this list was born from real experience—items that supported me through every stage: early labor, transition, birth, and postpartum.

Some of these are tools from Amazon. Others come from your kitchen drawer. But each one helped create a space of peace, trust, and reverence for what my body and baby were designed by God to do.

Let this guide help you prepare practically—but more importantly, let it point you to the only One who brings true peace: Jesus.

Labor Essentials: Preparing a Calm, Christ-Centered Birth Space

Birth Pool Kit

I don’t always labor in water, but I always birth in it. The warm water supports my body, eases the intensity of transition, and gives me a sense of weightless calm. I recommend a kit that includes the pool, liner, and air pump. If you're even considering water birth—do it.

Pregnancy & Birthing Ball

Perfect for hip circles, bouncing, and encouraging baby to engage. I use it throughout the third trimester to prep my pelvis and during labor to stay mobile and open.

TENS Unit

A simple device with huge impact. The rhythmic pulsing helps relieve back labor and gives your mind something to focus on. I use it in early labor and remove it once I get into the water.

Mini Portable Fan

Labor gets hot, especially during transition. A small, cordless fan kept me cool and grounded during the most intense waves.

Birth Comb

This unassuming tool redirects pain through pressure points in your hand. It’s amazing how gripping the comb can keep you focused and present.

Christian Hypnobirthing App

I’ve used this app in my last four pregnancies. Scripture-based meditations help calm the nervous system and keep my mind fixed on truth. It’s a beautiful way to labor in peace without inviting in anything new age.

Bible-Based Affirmations & Scriptures

I tape these around my birth space and have my daughter read them to me when I need to hear truth:

• “My body was made for this.”

• “God is with me in the deep.”

• “Perfect love casts out fear.”

[Click here to download my free printable affirmation set.]

Herbal Tinctures (Gentle Birth & Shepherd’s Purse)

I use Mountain Meadow’s Gentle Birth tincture in the final weeks and again during labor. Shepherd’s Purse is my go-to postpartum for bleeding. Always research and pray before using herbs.

Towels & Washcloths (Lots)

Birth is beautiful—but messy. I use cool rags for my forehead, warm compresses for my back, and towels for drying baby and covering the bed or floors.

Worship Music or Soaking Instrumentals

I create a playlist in advance. Upbeat worship in early labor helps me stay joyful and relaxed. As labor deepens, I switch to soaking instrumentals or Scripture songs. Music shifts the atmosphere.

After Birth: The Sacred Golden Hour

That first hour with baby is holy. These items help keep things peaceful and simple while honoring that moment of stillness and connection.

Natural Medicines

Dong Quai and Blue Cohosh can support placental release. Shepherd’s Purse helps manage bleeding. I use only what’s needed—and always in prayer.

Shoelace for Umbilical Cord

Once the cord stops pulsing, we use a clean cotton shoelace to tie it off. Simple and gentle.

Sterile Surgical Scissors

Unless you're doing a lotus birth, you’ll need scissors to cut the cord. I sterilize and prep them ahead of time and lay them on a clean towel.

Bowl for the Placenta

Nothing fancy—I use a stainless steel mixing bowl from the kitchen. It holds the placenta until we’re ready to prepare it for burial or encapsulation.

Tape Measure

We take our own newborn measurements: head, length, chest. It’s slow, intentional, and unrushed.

Ink Pad for Hand & Footprints

This mess-free kit helps us capture baby’s tiny prints for the baby book—something we treasure every time.

Baby Scale

Weighing baby ourselves in the stillness of our home is one of my favorite moments. I use a simple digital scale and keep track in my journal.

Receiving Blankets & Diapers

I don’t dress my babies right away—we soak up as much skin-to-skin as we can. Linen blankets are breathable and perfect for gentle covering.

Flashlight or Headlamp

Especially useful for nighttime births or waterbirths. A headlamp helps my husband see clearly without disrupting the atmosphere.

Washable Absorbent Bed Pads

I layer these on the floor and bed. They’re easier to change out than towels, and I reuse them later for potty training.

Postpartum Recovery: Comfort, Healing & Rest

Once baby is here, your body begins the holy work of healing. These are the items I use to feel cared for, clean, and grounded during the fourth trimester.

Herbal Bath Tea

My first bath after birth—with baby on my chest—is a full-body exhale. The herbs reduce swelling, soothe soreness, and help prevent infection.

Witch Hazel

I add this to my peri bottle and soak pads for extra relief. It’s gentle and effective for postpartum tenderness.

Mesh Underwear & Cotton Diapers

For the first 24 hours, I use disposable cotton adult diapers. Then I switch to cloth pads and cotton underwear. No tight elastics, just softness and comfort.

Peri Bottle

A must. I fill two before bed so I don’t have to get up and refill in the middle of the night. Rinsing with warm water instead of wiping is key for healing.

Nipple Butter & Silver Nursing Cups

Earth Mama’s nipple butter is a staple, and the silver cups were a total game-changer after baby seven. They protect and heal without added moisture or rubbing.

Arnica & AfterEase Tinctures

Arnica helps with swelling and bruising. AfterEase eases those strong postpartum waves—especially after baby two and beyond.

Heating Pad

So soothing after the rush of labor. I use it for cramps and any muscle soreness those first few nights.

Postpartum Snacks & Water

One-handed, nourishing snacks are a must. Think trail mix, date balls, protein bars—and constant hydration. I keep a water bottle and snacks bedside.

Journal or Phone Notes

I always write down my birth story while it’s fresh. It helps me process, praise, and remember every sacred detail.

The Greatest Essential: Jesus

If there's one thing I’ve learned after delivering seven babies, it’s this: birth is deeply spiritual. I’ve never felt closer to the Lord than in those moments of complete surrender—when I had no strength but His, no plan but His will, and no peace but His presence.

So yes, gather your tools. Prepare your home. But more importantly, prepare your heart.

Invite Jesus into your birth space.
Let His Word shape your thoughts.
Let worship fill the air.
Let your birth be an act of surrender and praise.

Want a Printable Homebirth Checklist?

I made one for you to check off as you pack and prep:
[Download the checklist here]

And you can browse my full Amazon list:
[Shop My Homebirth Must-Haves]