Top Things to Pack in Your Birth Bag for YOU
You’re at 36 weeks, and you’re greatly anticipating the day when your baby joins your family. But what should you bring to your place of birth to make sure you feel the most comfortable and haven’t forgotten anything? Well, we’ve got you covered! Here are the top tried true things to that you’ll actually need or want at for labor, delivery, and postpartum for YOURSELF at your birth.
Check out what to bring for YOUR BABY here, and for YOUR PARTNER here.
What to pack for YOU:
Birth Plan - You don’t want to forget this! It is so helpful to write one, so your wishes can be honored by your providers. As your doula, I will make sure to print and bring a back-up just in case.
Driver’s License & Insurance - This will be very helpful when you check in to Labor and Delivery. At a Birth Center, this isn’t as necessary.
Snacks!! - Sometimes it takes a while to get food to your room at a hospital, so having a few snacks in your bag may be helpful. I recommend trail mix, protein bars, and honey sticks (these are especially helpful when you need a little energy in labor).
Phone and chargers - Make sure you bring extra long phone chargers, sometimes the bed can be a little far away from an outlet. You don’t want your battery to run out!
Camera - Most phones have great cameras, but for those of you with DSLR camera and some photography skills, make sure it’s in your bag.
Games - If you end up going in for an induction, sometimes it can take a loooong time. I always recommend people bring a deck of cards, movies, or other games to pass the time before you need to focus.
Chapstick and lotion - The air in hospitals especially is very dry, so keeping your lips and skin moist is key for comfort. Lotion is excellent to bring for massaging (unscented - you don’t know how you’ll respond to scents in labor!).
Cozy blanket or pillow - Hospital pillows are notoriously flat, and blankets are quite thin. If you want to bring these from home, they will help you feel comfortable and in a more familiar space.
Labor gown - You can wear a hospital gown or even joggers, but these labor gowns are cute, comfortable, and open up in all the right places for different labor needs.
Robe - After the birth, a robe is great for early breast/chest feeding and skin to skin with your baby.
Warm, no-slip socks - You don’t want cold feet! They do provide no-slip socks at most hospitals, BUT these are way more comfy.
Nursing Pajamas - Comfy pants for your postpartum body are super helpful after you give birth. You’ll be dealing with bleeding possible tearing, and a jelly-feeling tummy, so these are key for comfort and ease. And a nursing top for sleeping or wearing all day is helpful.
Nursing tank and/or bra - Tanks can be super helpful in keeping you warm and covered, and your baby will obviously need easy access to their milk supply.
Boppy or Breast Friend - These are so helpful in so many ways. You can have extra pillows to get baby situated every time you’re ready to breast/chest feed, or you can grab a Boppy or Breast Friend pillow to make it quicker and easier. Bonus… the Boppy is also more comfortable to sit on if you’ve had tearing (like a Donut pillow), is a great prop for baby after they eat so they don’t have reflux, great for tummy time, and it can help prop them up as they get older and are ready to try sitting up.
Nipple butter - Breast/chest feeding early on can be painful, and can cause tender or chapped nipples. Keeping them lubricated with some baby-friendly nipple cream is so helpful for avoiding drying out, and keeping pain at a minimum.
Large, comfy undies - The hospital or birth center will provide you with mesh panties and pads while you’re there, and will likely send you home with some as well. But you may feel more comfortable in actual underwear, the choice is up to you.
And my most recommended thing for you to bring to your birth is, of course, a Birth Doula. Doulas can provide such excellent support and help you have the birth you desire. If you’re in the Portland, OR area, feel free to fill out my contact form here, to schedule a free consultation. I would love to support you!
For what to have ready at home when you arrive, check out my list here!
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