Consider this guide to help you stock your medicine cabinet. Add/remove anything to meet your own needs!

Pregnancy

Prenatal Vitamin Look for a multivitamin that provides 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid, vitamin B12, 27mg of iron, 200-300mg of calcium, and a minimum of 400IU of vitamin D. Examples: SmartyPants PreNatal Formula Gummies, Thorne Research Basic Prenatal, Emerald Lab Prenatal, Raise them Well Prenatal Vitamins, MamaBird Prenatal Multi+ from the Best Nest.

Vitamin D supplement Take 1,000 – 2,000 IU of vitamin D even if your prenatal vitamin contains 400 IU.

Calcium – Your prenatal vitamin plus 2-3 servings of calcium a day (about 600mg/day) will meet your calcium needs for pregnancy. If you diet is low in calcium, add at least 1g calcium supplement to your diet.

Birth

Cramping Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) 500-1000mg every 4-6h for (max 4000mg/day)

Rest Dimenhydrinate (e.g., Gravol) 100mg every 8h (max 300mg/day)

Diposable Underpads or Puppy Training Pads If your water breaks before you go into active labour, they can be placed underneath you while you labour at home. Also great on the car seat when transporting in labour from home to hospital.

Postpartum

Prenatal vitamins Continue to take your prenatal vitamin for at least 3 months postpartum or until you have stopped lactating. It is recommended that all women of childbearing age take a multivitamin containing folic acid every day.

Pain Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) 500-1000mg every 4-6h for (max 4000mg/day) combined with Ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin) 200-400mg every 4-6h (max. 2400mg/day) OR Naproxen (e.g., Aleve) 250-500mg every 8h (max. 1500mg/day)

Nausea Dimenhydrinate (Gravol) 25-50mg every 6h for nausea

Stool softener Docusate sodium (Colace) 100-200mg twice daily

Hemorrhoids Zinc sulphate (e.g., Anusol) suppositories/cream, Witch hazel pads (e.g., Tucks Cooling Pads)

Nipple pain All Purpose Nipple Ointment (prescription required from your midwife), Lanolin, Honey Dressings for Wounds, Silverette Nursing Cups

Epsom salts To add to your peri-bottle and sitz baths.

Peri-Bottle Fill the cleansing bottle 1/3 of the way with epsom salts and top up with warm water. Use it to spray your stitches when going to the washroom. It dilutes the urine to minimize any burning/stinging feeling. The epsom salts help keep the area clean and promote healing.

Haaka Silicone breast pump. It can be used to collect the “let down” when feeding by applying to the opposite breast while nursing baby. It can also be used as a manual pump.

Postpartum Bleeding Pads (Varying sizes from extra heavy to liner) or Incontinence Underwear

Perineal Healing Instant Ice Maxi Pads or Homemade “Padsicles.” To make Padsicles: Spread aloe vera gel the full length of an extra heavy overnight pad. Fill a spray bottle with witch hazel and add 5-6 drops of lavender essential oil. Shake gently to mix. Spray the mixture on the pad until dampened then freeze.

Breast Pads

Baby

Vitamin D Drops 400-800IU / day To prevent “bone softening” diseases. Apply 1 drop once daily onto your nipple before feeding baby. Increase to 2 drops a day between October and April.

Zinc Oxide Cream (e.g., Penaten) To treat diaper rash. If it does not improve with treatment, ask your midwife for a Jagger Paste prescription

Infant Probiotic (e.g., BioGaia, New Roots) For gassy babies. It comes in a powder form that can be mixed with breastmilk. It can be purchased at Tim’s Whole Health.

NoseFrida Nasal Sucker Baby nasal aspirator that for congestion.

Saline Snot Spray To clean and moisture baby’s congested nasal passages.

Diposable Underpads or Puppy Training Pad Can be used for diaper free time, which can be helpful to promote healing of diaper rashes.

White Noise Machine – A sound machine is a great way to comfort a baby to fall asleep.