23 Ways to Prepare for Labor & Birth
“I am prepared for the birth that my body and baby need.” -Author Unknown
Unique Footprints prenatal yoga and labor endurance exercises (daily during your last trimester!)
Your birth plan – bring your pre-filled out Unique Footprints birth plan with you
Have your insurance card + drivers license
Have your Unique Footprints DIY - Baby File System for important documents
Comfortable clothes with robe, nursing bra and underwear (the hospital with have mesh panties and a hospital gown) – a Unique Footprints mom recommends ‘Lake Pajamas’
Saline soaks and organic nipple cream
Socks
Your phone charger
Chap stick
Mints
Heating pad or rice sock – for labor (the hospital will have an instant heating pad but the heat does not last very long)
Ice packs – for labor and postpartum (the hospital will have these, just bring one if you have a favorite)
Hand fan – thanks to your hormones, you’ll be very hot during labor and postpartum
Hand massaging tool – for labor – or have partner massage you when wanting this
Diffusor with essential oils NOTE: It’s not recommended to apply essential oils directly onto your skin during labor, you might LOVE a scent at one moment and be repelled by it at another.
Healthy snacks
Thermos with hydrating liquid, i.e. water
Exercise ball and peanut ball (the hospital will have this available for you)
Birth stool (the hospital or birth center will have this)
Pads for medium to heavy flow (the hospital pads do not stick that well, a lot of moms like to bring their own pads)
Flip flops (for the shower)
Baby – car seat
Baby – going home outfit
You won’t need much for baby. Your baby will be skin to skin most of the time and the hospital provides swaddle blankets, infant shirt, diapers, wipes and bulb syringe.
Pro Tip: Remember, what you pack, you have to pack up and bring home with a newborn baby. I’ve seen new dads take out 2 and 3 loads. Choose your essential items and narrow it down into 1 suitcase for you/baby and that will be plenty.
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Unique Footprints Author:
Jenny Morrow, RN, IBCLC, LCCE, RYT
Jenny is a mom, neonatal nurse and founder of Unique Footprints (online pregnancy and early motherhood courses). She created her company in the delivery room – literally! As a nurse assisting with deliveries and postpartum care, she directly witnessed families who did not feel prepared and were shocked through the transition into parenthood, and she knew there was a better way. Jenny has taught over 10,000 expecting families how to prepare for this time in their lives. Learn more about Jenny here or you can watch her story.
From the Unique Footprints editorial team and Jenny Morrow, founder of Unique Footprints. Unique Footprints follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources from ACOG, the American Academy of Pediatrics, CDC, the U.S. Surgeon Guidelines and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The UF TEAM also thoroughly researches peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Unique Footprints is endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association.