My Must-Haves for a Peaceful, Christ-Centered Homebirth

From First Waves to Fourth Trimester

There is something sacred about birthing at home. No bright lights. No strangers. Just you, your baby, and the steady presence of the Lord. Whether you’re planning a homebirth with a midwife or walking the freebirth path like I have, these are the items that supported me—from the very first wave of pressure to the quiet days of healing after.

Most of these are simple tools—some from Amazon, some from your kitchen drawers. But each one plays a small role in creating a space of peace, confidence, and reverence for the work your body and baby are doing.

Labor Essentials: Creating a Calm, Empowered Space

As labor begins, I focus on surrender and movement—letting my body open with trust. These are my go-to tools for early and active labor:

• Birth Pool Kit
  While I personally don't enjoy laboring in the water, I do find transition and delivery easier in the water. The water supports my body and relaxes my muscles. This kit includes the pool, liner, and air pump, and it's worth every penny. If you’re even thinking of a water birth, do it.

• Pregnancy & Birthing Ball
  Perfect for bouncing, hip circles, and helping baby engage. You can sit on it all through the third trimester to help prepare your body, and it's a great aid during labor to ensure baby is in the right position. This ball also includes a helpful guide!

• TENS Unit
  This little device has helped many a mama breathe through early labor. The sensation is grounding and calming—a great natural pain relief option, especially for back labor.

• Mini Portable Fan
  Birth is hot, especially during transition. Having a fan nearby saves you from feeling overwhelmed in those most intense moments. This cordless fan is great because it doesn't inhibit you from moving around.

• Birth Comb
  Grip this comb tightly during each wave. It helps direct pressure to my hands and reminds me to stay grounded, and gives me another sensation to focus on.

• Christian Hypnobirthing App
  I used this through my last four pregnancies. The Scripture-based meditations helped me stay centered in faith, relaxed, and connected to God—not fear.

• Birth Affirmations/Bible Scriptures
  I tape these around my birth space: “My body was made for this.” “God is with me in the deep.” “Surrender opens the way.” They anchor your thoughts when the intensity rises. When I couldn't speak them to myself I had my eldest daughter read them aloud to me. Grab a free printable here.

• Mountain Meadow’s Gentle Birth & Shepherd’s Purse
  These help tone the uterus and manage bleeding. I trust them and always have them in my homeopathy birth kit. *Tip: if you want a comprehensive list of natural tinctures for birth and postpartum click here

• Washcloths & Towels (lots!)
  Cool rags for my forehead, warm compresses for my back, towels for everything else—birth is messy and beautiful. You’ll want a good stack.

• Worship music or soaking instrumentals
  I build a playlist ahead of time. Choose a variety of music for different stages of labor. I like loud dancing worship for those early labor pains, and then something soft as labor progresses and I need to focus. Music & worship really shifts the atmosphere.

After Baby Arrives: The Sacred Golden Hour

That first hour after birth is holy. Whether baby is in your arms or still connected to the cord, these simple items help keep things smooth and sacred.

• Natural Medicines
  Dong Quai and Blue Cohosh help your body to release the placenta. Shepherds purse is another great tincture to have on hand that helps prevent hemorrhaging (see my complete herbal remedies/tincture guide here).

• Shoelace for Umbilical Cord
  We’ve used a clean cotton shoelace to tie off the cord once it stops pulsing. It’s simple, gentle, and works perfectly.

• Sterile Surgical Scissors
  To cut the cord if you're not doing a lotus birth. I always prep these ahead of time and set them on a clean towel nearby.

• Bowl for the Placenta
  Nothing fancy—I use a clean stainless steel mixing bowl from my kitchen. It holds the placenta until we're ready to wrap it or prepare for burial or encapsulation.

• Tape Measure
  We measure baby's head, length, and chest ourselves. It’s tender and slow, without any rush or interference.

• Ink Pad for Hand & Footprints
  I love doing this while baby is still sleepy. This kit is mess free and easy to use! The prints go straight into their baby book—a keepsake I’ll always treasure.

• Baby Scale
  There’s something so sweet about weighing your baby in the quiet of your room, just after they’re born. This baby scale makes it easy to weigh baby and track his weight gain those first few weeks.

• Receiving Blankets & Newborn Diapers
  I don't dress my babies in anything but diapers for the first few days afterbirth so we can get as much skin to skin as possible. If you chose to swaddle or just want a nice cover while he sleeps these linen blankets are the best!

• Washable Absorbent Bed Pads

  Keep your floor and bed from being soiled after birth by lining with these reusable bed pads. Easily change them out and throw in the wash. I like these over the disposable as I can use them again when we reach the potty training stage.

• Flashlight or Headlamp
  Especially if you birth at night (I usually do), this helps your partner or birth team check things clearly without harsh overhead lighting. If you're planning a waterbirth it might be an idea to get one like this that is waterproof.

Postpartum Recovery: Rest, Repair, Rejoice

After birth, your body deserves honor. Your baby is here, and now it’s time to recover. These are the things that help me feel clean, comforted, and cared for:

• Herbal Bath Tea
  My first bath after birth—with baby on my chest—is like a full reset. In His Hands' herbal afterbirth bath herbs are so healing, helping to reduce swelling and infection risk.

• Witch Hazel
  I put this right in my peri bottle for rinsing. You can also soak pads for padsicles or pour it onto cloths for quick relief on tender areas.

• Mesh Underwear & Cotton Diapers
  For the first day or two I use cotton disposable diapers, then switch to cloth pads and use cotton underwear. No pressure. No tight elastics. Just comfort. *tip: the black cotton doesn't show stains

• Peri Bottle
  A gentle rinse every time you use the bathroom is a must. Toilet paper is too abrasive. Get two and fill them both up before bed so you don't have to worry about filling them at night, in the dark.

• Nipple Butter & Silver Nursing Cups
  In the early days of nursing, these two save me. The cups give my skin a break between feeds by shielding my nipples from fabric and help heal cracks or soreness fast. I used these for the very first time after my seventh pregnancy and what a game-changer! Earth Mama's nipple butter is so soothing and safe for baby too.

• Arnica & AfterEase Tinctures
  Arnica for bruising and swelling, AfterEase for postpartum contractions (especially after baby #2 and beyond). I keep them bedside and start using them immediately.

• Heating Pad
  So comforting for afterbirth waves or sore muscles. I love mine for those first few nights.

• Postpartum Snacks & Water
  Think nourishing, one-handed snacks: trail mix, protein bars, or date balls. And hydrate constantly. I keep a water bottle and snacks right by my bed.

• Journal or Phone Notes
  I always write my birth story while it’s fresh. It’s part of the processing, the praising, the remembering.
  

The Greatest Essential: Jesus

If there's one thing that I've learned through delivering my seven children it is this; birth truly is a spiritual experience. I have never felt closer to the Lord than in those times of complete and total surrender. If you let it, birth can be an amazing act of worship that draws you closer to Christ as you depend on Him and His strength to sustain and uplift you.

So yes, gather your tools. Prepare your space. But most of all, prepare your heart. Invite Jesus into the room. Let His peace cover you. Let worship fill the air. Surrender everything—and trust that He will meet you in the deep.

Want My Full Homebirth Checklist?
I made a printable version for you to download and check off as you pack and prep:
👉 The Complete Homebirth Checklist

And you can find my full Amazon list here:
👉 Shop My Homebirth Must-Haves