Is your hospital bag packed and ready? Your baby is almost ready to be born. But are you ready for labor and birth? There are a lot of things you should have packed and ready in your hospital bag to take with you to the hospital or birth center for your labor and birth. These hospital bag items will make your labor more comfortable and can possibly make it go faster and smoother. Review both of these posts so you’ll know HOW TO HELP THE LABORING MOTHER IN FIRST STAGE LABOR and you’ll know WHEN TO LEAVE FOR YOUR BIRTH PLACE.
Remember to pack snacks for mom – things that are easy to digest. Eating and drinking as long as you can during labor will help your body to have a more effective labor. And your coach is going to be working hard – in a completely different way – so make sure you’ve got plenty of food in a cooler for coach. Or take money and plan to send someone out for food for your coach. Below are the best items to pack in your hospital bag for all your comfort tools. These are tricks of the trade I have learned about over 23 years of teaching childbirth classes.
Hospital Bag Items for Partner/Coach:
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- bathing suit so you can get in the tub or shower to support the laboring woman.
- breath mints, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash so you can have fresh breath to breathe with her.
- good supportive shoes because you may be on your feet for many hours.
- sweatshirt
- change of clothes, layers of clothes. It could get really hot or really cold in the room
- phone, camera chargers
- food, snacks, water
- cash in case you need to buy snacks or send someone out to get you something to eat.
Food for Mom for the Hospital Bag and see related post What to Eat and Drink in Labor:
Electrolyte chews Honey sticks
Electrolyte water
See Related Post: 9 Reasons You should Eat and Drink in Labor
Or you can make your own electrolyte water.
Mix together:
- ½ Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1/3 Cup Raw honey or to taste, preferably locally harvested honey
- ¼ Teaspoon of Pink Himalayan Salt
- 5 Cups filtered water, bottled water, Smart Water, or coconut water
- 10 drops ConcenTrace® Trace Mineral Drops
- 20 drops of Rescue Remedy
Preggie Pops Protein drinks
and….Whatever appeals to her and is EASILY DIGESTED.
Sleep Masks for Labor
Sleep Masks help moms relax, block out distractions and block out light. Fool your body into thnking it’s night time. Melatonin enhances oxytocin. that’s why many women go in to labor at night and many babies are born in the middle of the night or early morning.
Massage Tools
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Stroller Fan
Laboring moms tend to get very hot during labor. Having a fan is very soothing and cooling.
Birthing Balls and Peanut Balls are so comfortable to use in labor
There are many ways to use one, and all of them will make you more comfortable and help your labor progress. Once your baby arrives, you can sit and bounce on it while snuggling with baby to calm the baby down.
A peanut ball is another great tool for labor and birth.
It can also be used in so many ways and helps to open the pelvis.
Aromatherapy Oils or Essential Oils have many benefits for the laboring woman:
Lavender dulls pain, relaxes, calming
Chamomile
Geranium circulation, aids breathing, balance emotions
Jasmine analgesic, antispasmodic
Neroli reduces fear, anxiety
Rose-tones uterus increases circulation, antidepressant, calms nerves,
Clary Sage-tension reliever creates euphoria
Gentle Baby (Young Living)
T.E.N.S. Unit TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) can reduce labor pain
Using the Gate Control Method of pain relief a TENS unit can be a God send during labor, especially if you don’t want to expose your baby to medications.
Homeopathic Remedies help the body to heal itself, progress labor, reduce pain, and much more
Arnica for pain.
Ipecacuanha for nausea or vomiting.
Rescue Remedy to relieve tension and keep mom calm and relaxed in labor.
Caulophyllum to induce labor after PROM (premature rupture of membranes). 45% of women will go into labor on their own within 12 hours after their bag of waters breaks. But if you’d like to help things along, caulophyllum can help.
Many Herbs are beneficial to pregnant and laboring women.
I always suggest you consult a certified herbalist or a midwife knowledgeable in herbal medicine.
Red Raspberry leaf tea-make a strong infusion and sweeten to taste with honey. It’s suggested that red raspberry leaf helps make contractions more effective and less painful.
Skullcap relieves pain
Catnip relieves pain
Chamomile tea relieves tension
Acupuncture & Acupressure:
Some acupuncturists will leave tiny needles in your body that will help labor progress and also will lessen pain. Find an acupuncturist by clicking here:
Use Massage Oil in Labor to Help Mom Relax
Hot water bottle can ease back pain
Ice packs can ease back pain in labor and can be used on the perineum after baby comes.
Rice Sock: fill a sock with uncooked rice. Sew up the end. Microwave for 3 minutes. It will stay warm for 30 minutes. Place on body where needed.
