If you plan to give birth at home, you can make some preparations during the last month of your pregnancy. From 37 weeks, the bed must be raised to 70 to 80 cm using blocks. These can be borrowed from your maternity center or various home care organizations. Please note: this is also necessary if you will give birth in the hospital.

You must also check whether the bedroom can be sufficiently lit. We prefer a separate (standing) lamp placed at the foot of the bed. Especially in winter, there must be heating in the bedroom. The bedroom should be warm during a home birth to prevent the baby from cooling down too much after birth. You will receive a maternity package from your health insurer around seven months of pregnancy. All items in this package are intended for your home. So you don't have to take any of this to the hospital.

Prepare an "escape bag" in advance if you do have to go to the hospital. Here you put, among other things, a t-shirt or pajamas in which you want to give birth, clean pajamas, underwear, toiletries, slippers, a bathrobe, and clothes for the baby.

The following items are useful to have within reach:

• 2 buckets
• garbage bags
• bath towel
• small table / ironing board
• 6 muslin diapers
• camera

Supplies for an outpatient birth:

• Insurance card
• Pregnancy file and birth plan
• Camera/video camera with chargers
• Mobile phone with charger
• List of phone numbers for people you want to call from the hospital
• A cellulose mat (from maternity package) to protect the car seat
• Clothing for during your delivery (something that is comfortable and can get dirty).
• Clothing for after childbirth (a number of underpants, socks, otherwise basic clothing that fits comfortably)
• Bathrobe
• Slippers or slippers
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, comb/brush, shampoo, soap, deodorant, lip balm, etc. (you often have dry lips from puffing and pressing), glasses/lenses?
• Possibly something to eat and drink
• Clothes and shawl for the baby
• Hat and jacket for the baby when you go home.
• Car seat with something warm to cover the child with

NB: Everything that is disposable (maternity bandages, diapers) will be provided by the hospital.