Essential Items for Your Birth Bag
In honor of Labor Day… let’s talk labor and birth… and what to pack for the big day!
First, let’s get on the same page.
Birth is astounding.
Ok. Now that we’ve got that out of the way…. Whether you birth at a hospital, at home, or at a birth center (or like me - a bit of all three!). Whether you have a surgical birth (cesarean) or vaginal birth. All the meds or none of the meds. Whether it goes the way you planned or has unexpected twists and turns. We are here to support the birth story that you lived. In our practice we welcome your whole self and that means we welcome all the ways you feel about your birth experience too.
✨ Because just like each of us and our children, each birth is unique. ✨
Before we get into this list of what to pack, a disclaimer: after a decade of working with birthing people, the truth I know about birth is that the most important thing you can bring to your labor isn’t a “thing” at all. It is the people and care team who love and support you in finding your strength and your ability to surrender in just the right measure for your birth.
Also, while there are some amazing (and sometimes $$$) prepared birth bags out there to help you get ready for welcoming your baby/babies, this particular list is likely things you already have around your home so before you rush out to shop, check your drawers. It’s totally OK to not know what you need in labor until you are in it! Someday I’ll share what I actually packed in my bags. I was grateful to have it all with me, but as my birth story evolved, there were SO many of the things that went absolutely unused!
I also want to acknowledge that you could come to birth with absolutely no bags and have a beautiful experience! I’m a creature comfort person so here a few things I’ve seen clients love over the years:
Comfy bra - You might birth in the nude. I did. Many people do. But especially if your breasts are tender or feel large in late pregnancy, you know you want a lot of birth photos without your nipples showing, or you like modesty and are in a location where your labor has family or staff coming and going, you might appreciate a comfy bra. Don’t be surprised if at some point in labor you stop caring about modesty in the way you usually might. Be sure the bra is not at all restrictive so that you can feel good in it even if all the other clothes come off.
Energy snacks or bars - Store-bought or homemade. Because the average first birth is 12-24 hours, I especially want first-time birthing parents to consider what they are eating in labor to keep strength and stabilize blood sugar. Relying on high energy foods you can nibble is key since many birthing people don’t feel like having a huge meal mid-labor.
Hydration - Have a water bottle with a straw with you in labor for easy sipping. You won’t be tracking this because *labor brain* but the goal is about a cup every hour. Have your partner or doula put the water close to you or even bring it to your lips to make sipping easy in the intense moments. A homemade or store-bought hydration mix can also be a huge help. And with all that hydration, don’t forget to pee!
Hands-On Support - Your partner, close friend, or a doula can be an invaluable support to you during all the stages of labor. I know they don’t fit into a bag, but plan to have a support person with you! They interface with family or staff attending to your care, make sure the food, water, birth ball, music, other-things-you-desperately-need-in-the-moment are nearby and they offer their emotional and physical support to your birthing body. If you know that you love touch, check out our new free guide to 6 Key Poses for Labor Massage. Bonus tip: have them bring something to read or occupy their time. In active labor they will be busy, but in early labor or if you are being induced there can be some downtime.
Tools for Comfort - affirmation cards, birth preferences sheet, our printable labor massage guide, birth combs, playlists, battery-operated candles, twinkle lights, your favorite stuffed animal. This one is personal to you!
Whether you birth at home, in a birth center or hospital, or in an operating room you can make the space your own. In many cesarean births you can ask for music you like to be played as your baby is born. If there is an emergency cesarean and no time for setting the space, you can also create this comforting environment in your postpartum recovery room instead. We love the tips to bring a pillow from home and a photo of loved ones for your room if you are birthing at a birth center or hospital!
An Attitude of Strength, Surrender, and Flexibility - For the most part, we cannot will any particular birth scenario to come true. It is a rite of passage between two people (more with twins) and birth will be a journey for you and your baby/babies. Surround yourself with an amazing support team that you trust to help you navigate transitions and changes. And practice balancing strength and surrender at home with meditation, yoga, and intentional rest.
Button down shirt or pajamas - Skin-to-skin is amazing for babies and parents alike that research supports and many birth spaces are working to include in their standard of care. Whether or not you intend to breast/chestfeed this open front clothing will help you get that connection. If you are in hospital with gowns you can simply keep the opening at the front, but many people like to wear their own clothing both before and after birth.
Toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo - If you are birthing outside your own home it can be nice at some point to brush teeth and have a shower. If your hospital stay is longer to care for your baby this become particularly essential. They will have everything you need, but you can bring these items from home if you like.
Pregnancy clothing to go home in - Even if labor feels like forever, at some point, a baby arrives! If you are birthing in a birth center or hospital you will need to travel home.
Have you ever seen the pregnant Barbie (discontinued)? She has a bump that you pop off, a baby comes out, and her flat tummy returns. PSA: That is NOT how pregnancy, birth, and postpartum work! Don’t grab your skinny jeans for your homecoming. Do bring fresh pregnancy clothing and remember an outfit baby that is car seat friendly- meaning it has their legs separated. Save the super newborn sacks for home.
Electronics - your phone (and charger!) connect you to family, birth apps, meditation, music, and nearly anything else you might need. You may even want a bluetooth speaker if music is important to your peace of mind. I highly recommend an extra long charging cord for postpartum. If you already have it, bring it to birth too.
I’m sure there is something you put in your bag that was essential to you and something I have missed!
If you are preparing for birth, tell me what else you are packing in your birth bag.
If you have birthed I’d love to hear what you did and didn’t use!
