What to bring to a birth
Other supplies that are very useful for the midwife to carry in her kit
Flashlight
Very clean apron The mother’s pregnancy
and head cloth record, a pen, and paper
A good birth Watch with a
manual
second hand or timer
Stethoscope
Blood pressure cuff
Packets of
sterile gauze
Sterile syringe, needles,
and emergency
medicines
Supplies for making
rehydration drink (see page
160) or premixed packets
you can make yourself
2 sterilized clamps
(hemostats) to clamp
the cord or clamp
bleeding veins if a
woman tears
Sterilized blunt-tipped
scissors to cut the cord
before the baby is
completely born (only
in an emergency!)
Plant medicines that
you know how to use
Thermometer
Fetoscope
Sterile needle and gut
thread for sewing tears
HIV medicines for
mother and baby
if mother has HIV
Erythromycin or tetracycline
ointment (or silver nitrate)
for the baby’s eyes
Measuring tape
to measure
the baby
Small scale
to weigh
the baby
Remember: All of these supplies are helpful, but if you do not have them, you can
still be an excellent midwife. The most important things to bring to a birth are your
wisdom, experience, and love.
Sterilize your tools and wash up
When you arrive at the birth, make sure all of your tools are sterilized (see
page 59). All of the tools that go inside the vagina or cut the skin must be sterile.
This includes gloves, razor or scissors for cutting the cord, and scissors for doing
an episiotomy (cutting the birth opening).
Wash your hands often during labor, and be sure your nails are clipped short.
Wear clean clothes too. A clean apron will keep blood and fluids off of you.
A Book for Midwives (2010)
153