Labor Day is Monday!  While we all know this day as a day of rest and relaxation from work, the name “labor” obviously stirs up different thoughts for the mom-to-be.  Interestingly enough, September is in the top 3 for months in which the most babies are born!!! With that in mind, we thought we would offer some helpful tips for packing your labor bag.

Even if you are planning a Home Birth or a Birth Center Birth, your labor and delivery will go much more smoothly if you have all your ducks in a row beforehand.  Here are our suggestions:

• Have everything packed by 35 weeks.  That way you’ll be set if your sweet baby comes early!
• If you are having a planned c-section make sure to pack enough clothing for your whole stay (typically 3 days)
• Ask your birth provider and doula lots of questions about what they provide.  
  • A growing number of doulas, midwives and even OBs are beginning to incorporate herbs, homeopathics and essential oils so you may not even need to bring them.  Make sure to ask if they’ll charge anything extra for you to use these items!
• Super comfy clothing to labor in and for after baby has been born.
  • Ask beforehand if your hospital requires you to wear a hospital gown or not.
  • Yoga pants are amazing, so are comfy, flowy dresses
  • Remember that you’ll still have a belly after baby is born, plan to wear something that fit you around 6 or 7 months pregnant
  • Grab some warm socks and slippers too- tile floors are COLD!
  • Make sure to pack a couple nursing tanks and nursing bras
  • A nice, warm robe is also great for a hospital delivery to help keep you warm.  You can even tuck baby underneath for skin-to-skin
  • Don’t forget your partner and any children!  If you have a long labor or end up with an overnight stay they’ll want to change
• 4-6 copies of your birth plan (you may even want to laminate one)
• A list of names and number for who you’d like to contact after baby is born
• Folder for paperwork (you’ll get LOTS of paperwork)
• Insurance information
• Driver’s License for yourself and any adults that will be with you
• Watch or an App on your phone for timing contractions
• Ripe and Ready tea (this is delicious to sip on iced while laboring)
• Snacks and plenty of water
  • Some hospitals won’t allow you to eat in labor so make sure to ask first what you can and cannot have.  You should be able to have whatever you want after the baby is born as long as you didn’t have a csection or any complications so pack some of your favorites!
  • Coconut water is a great option to help hydrate and provide electrolytes
  • Honey sticks are really great as an energy boost
  • Don’t forget to pack snacks for your partner and any children who will be with you.  That way they can keep up their energy to help you too!
• Any prescription medication or supplements you regularly take (3-4 days worth is a good amount)
• An extra pair of eyeglasses and contacts if needed
• Awesome labor soundtrack on your phone or iPod (with headphones)
• Chargers for phone, camera, iPod, computer, etc
• Anything you love for nausea, stress or anxiety relief
• Back massager and warm pack
• Massage cream or arnica gel
• Handheld fan
• Your own pillow if you have one you love
• Toiletries
  • Chapstick (hospital air is SO dry), toothbrush/ toothpaste, mouthwash, brush, lotion, shampoo/conditioner, soap, deodorant, face wash, body wash, hair tie, etc. (make sure to pack for your family members too!)
• Sanitary pads
  • The hospital or birth center should provide you with some but you may wish to consider some super soft cloth pads for postpartum use.  They’re much more comfortable!
• Camera, video camera, laptop, etc.
• Book, puzzles, games, etc. for distraction in between contractions
• Wrap, ring sling or other carrier
  • Some hospitals won’t allow you to wear the baby outside of your room but most should allow you to wear inside.
• Sitz bath spray
  • Some birth centers provide this, it will help a lot with any tearing and swelling
• A couple outfits for baby
  • Pack a newborn size and a 0-3 month size.  Lots of babies don’t fit in newborn clothes!
• Diapers if you plan to use a different brand than the hospital provides
  • Birth centers usually don’t provide anything so you’ll need to bring them
• Cloth diapers, wipes, diaper cream, and wet bag- if using
  • Make sure to pack liners for the meconium
• Rear facing infant car seat
  • Make sure to have a CPST check the proper installation and make sure you know how to use it correctly.  Up to 80% of car seats are not used properly!!
• Anything else that will help you feel more comfortable and help you bring your precious baby into the world!

Congratulations Mama, share your labor stories with us at anytime via email at info@birdsandbeesteas.com or on our Facebook page.

Pin this post! 

The post Packing Your Labor Bag appeared first on Birds & Bees Teas.

Labor Day is Monday!  While we all know this day as a day of rest and relaxation from work, the name “labor” obviously stirs up different thoughts for the mom-to-be.  Interestingly enough, September is in the top 3 for months in which the most babies are born!!! With that in mind, we thought we would offer some helpful tips for packing your labor bag.

Even if you are planning a Home Birth or a Birth Center Birth, your labor and delivery will go much more smoothly if you have all your ducks in a row beforehand.  Here are our suggestions:

• Have everything packed by 35 weeks.  That way you’ll be set if your sweet baby comes early!
• If you are having a planned c-section make sure to pack enough clothing for your whole stay (typically 3 days)
• Ask your birth provider and doula lots of questions about what they provide.  
  • A growing number of doulas, midwives and even OBs are beginning to incorporate herbs, homeopathics and essential oils so you may not even need to bring them.  Make sure to ask if they’ll charge anything extra for you to use these items!
• Super comfy clothing to labor in and for after baby has been born.
  • Ask beforehand if your hospital requires you to wear a hospital gown or not.
  • Yoga pants are amazing, so are comfy, flowy dresses
  • Remember that you’ll still have a belly after baby is born, plan to wear something that fit you around 6 or 7 months pregnant
  • Grab some warm socks and slippers too- tile floors are COLD!
  • Make sure to pack a couple nursing tanks and nursing bras
  • A nice, warm robe is also great for a hospital delivery to help keep you warm.  You can even tuck baby underneath for skin-to-skin
  • Don’t forget your partner and any children!  If you have a long labor or end up with an overnight stay they’ll want to change
• 4-6 copies of your birth plan (you may even want to laminate one)
• A list of names and number for who you’d like to contact after baby is born
• Folder for paperwork (you’ll get LOTS of paperwork)
• Insurance information
• Driver’s License for yourself and any adults that will be with you
• Watch or an App on your phone for timing contractions
• Ripe and Ready tea (this is delicious to sip on iced while laboring)
• Snacks and plenty of water
  • Some hospitals won’t allow you to eat in labor so make sure to ask first what you can and cannot have.  You should be able to have whatever you want after the baby is born as long as you didn’t have a csection or any complications so pack some of your favorites!
  • Coconut water is a great option to help hydrate and provide electrolytes
  • Honey sticks are really great as an energy boost
  • Don’t forget to pack snacks for your partner and any children who will be with you.  That way they can keep up their energy to help you too!
• Any prescription medication or supplements you regularly take (3-4 days worth is a good amount)
• An extra pair of eyeglasses and contacts if needed
• Awesome labor soundtrack on your phone or iPod (with headphones)
• Chargers for phone, camera, iPod, computer, etc
• Anything you love for nausea, stress or anxiety relief
• Back massager and warm pack
• Massage cream or arnica gel
• Handheld fan
• Your own pillow if you have one you love
• Toiletries
  • Chapstick (hospital air is SO dry), toothbrush/ toothpaste, mouthwash, brush, lotion, shampoo/conditioner, soap, deodorant, face wash, body wash, hair tie, etc. (make sure to pack for your family members too!)
• Sanitary pads
  • The hospital or birth center should provide you with some but you may wish to consider some super soft cloth pads for postpartum use.  They’re much more comfortable!
• Camera, video camera, laptop, etc.
• Book, puzzles, games, etc. for distraction in between contractions
• Wrap, ring sling or other carrier
  • Some hospitals won’t allow you to wear the baby outside of your room but most should allow you to wear inside.
• Sitz bath spray
  • Some birth centers provide this, it will help a lot with any tearing and swelling
• A couple outfits for baby
  • Pack a newborn size and a 0-3 month size.  Lots of babies don’t fit in newborn clothes!
• Diapers if you plan to use a different brand than the hospital provides
  • Birth centers usually don’t provide anything so you’ll need to bring them
• Cloth diapers, wipes, diaper cream, and wet bag- if using
  • Make sure to pack liners for the meconium
• Rear facing infant car seat
  • Make sure to have a CPST check the proper installation and make sure you know how to use it correctly.  Up to 80% of car seats are not used properly!!
• Anything else that will help you feel more comfortable and help you bring your precious baby into the world!

Congratulations Mama, share your labor stories with us at anytime via email at info@birdsandbeesteas.com or on our Facebook page.

Pin this post! 

The post Packing Your Labor Bag appeared first on Birds & Bees Teas.