Whether you’re planning a home birth or birthing elsewhere, having your birth bag packed ahead of time is important! Having everything together means you’re not hunting for it during labor, and if you decide to leave your home, you’re already packed, so it’s one less worry.
Birth bag essentials include things like:
- several copies of your written birth preference
- your pillow and a throw blanket
- twinkle lights
- Bluetooth speaker
- affirmation cards and tape
- focal point
- protein snacks and honey sticks
- bendable straws
- electrolyte drinks
- ChapStick
- essential oils and diffuser or cotton balls
- Ziploc baggies
- personal fan
- slippers and loose-fitting clothes
- devices and chargers
You’ll want several copies of your preferences so the birth team can all see what your informed decisions are. Having your own pillow will not only add comfort to your sleep, but if you’re birthing outside of your home, it will smell like home, and can help bring down the adrenaline from being in a strange place. The same with having twinkle lights: this gives you lower lighting without it being dark.
You may have a birth playlist prepared or want to listen to Hypnobirthing videos and such. You know those affirmation cards you’ve been working on? Don’t forget those and some way to adhere them! If you’re using a focal point for concentration, such as an ultrasound picture, a mood board or a drawing you did of your birth or baby, make sure you’ve packed that.
Oftentimes hospitals have policies about eating and drinking during labor, so make sure you’ve packed nuts, protein bars, honey sticks, and your favorite crackers, as well as drinks with electrolytes, bendable straws (so you don’t have to change positions to drink), and ChapStick, since birth is very thirsty work and breathing through contractions dries your mouth and lips quickly.
If you’re a fan of essential oils I highly recommend using a cotton ball rather than a diffuser, since labor does strange things to our noses, and something that you once loved can be repugnant, and cotton balls can easily be thrown into Ziploc bags and disposed of, where a diffuser will take time to clear out. You may also consider one of those little battery powered fans they make for baby strollers or even a handheld fan. Have loose-fitting clothes, comfortable socks, slippers for walking around, and don’t forget baby’s first outfits. And last, but not least, chargers for all the devices you’ll be bringing!
What’s something you’d want to bring with you to your birthing space? What do you feel is important to have available during labor?
DoulaWise 