What to Add to Your Birth Bag
No matter where you are choosing to give birth, you will need to pack some sort of birth bag. Everyone’s birth bag looks different because you will fill it with things that will make you more comfortable during your labor. We recommend not over-packing as well because that can actually cause you more of a headache. It’s not fun to haul around a ton of bags both before birth and after when you have a newborn in your arms.
If you are feeling a little lost on where to start, outside of the essentials of a couple of changes of clothes, here are a few things that you might want to consider!
Birth Plan
Including your birth plan in your bag is very important. You likely have discussed your birth plan with your midwife, doula, or partner, but if someone else is needed in the room that has not had a chance to previously familiarize themselves with your plan, having it with you can help keep everyone on the same page.
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Red raspberry leaf tea has many nourishing factors, so it is a great thing to bring along with you to your birth. Drinking red raspberry leaf tea can help facilitate placenta delivery and reduce pain during labor and after birth because it contains fragarine, which helps tone and tighten muscles in the pelvic area. If you are not having a birth center or home birth then you can also try freezing the tea into ice cubes as some hospital policies might not allow you to eat or drink throughout labor.
Easy, Quick Snacks
At Charleston Birth Place, we encourage our mothers to eat throughout labor to help keep them strong and nourished. Packing easy, quick snacks will really come in handy when you are needing a pick-me-up. You can try some protein bars, fruits, crackers, and soups.
Coconut Oil
This is good for mom and baby. We all love coconut oil for its rejuvenating effects on our skin. Coconut oil is often great for newborn skin and can be beneficial for clearing up any skin irritations that they may have.
Depends
It is very common for women to bleed for a few weeks after labor, especially in the first 24 hours postpartum. Having Depends on hand can help you feel more secure and protected against leaks. Pads are also an option, but things can be sore down there in the beginning, and many women find Depends to be a more comfortable option.
Phone Charger
Most of us don’t go anywhere without our phones, so of course, making sure to pack your phone charger is very important! It can be an easy one to forget because, in the rush of the moment, you might not think to go grab it from your bedside table. We suggest having an extra one already packed away in the bag so you don’t have to worry about it! Another tip is to get an extra-long cord so you can charge and look at it while in bed.
Slippers
Bending over to tie or take off shoes can be a pain, so having comfy slippers to easily slip on and off will make your life easier. Not to mention your feet may get chilly walking around on cold floors, so slippers or fuzzy socks will keep you comfortable.
Car Seat
Last but not least, don’t forget the car seat! This is the most important thing to have since it is required to be with you before you leave.
We hope these tips help you prepare for your upcoming birth! Let us know if there was something we left out that you think should be included.