Birth at a Birthing Center

Only 66 days until my due date!!!!

How crazy is that? I cannot believe this time has flown by so fast! I am NOT ready! Ok, maybe I am. Maybe not though! Are any of us ever really ready?

One of the big things that I need to do in order to feel ready is our hospital bag! No worries. There are plenty of sources online for what to pack.

Except…..

We aren’t going to the hospital. We are going to a birthing center. This is so much different than a hospital!

For starters, we are all going home within just a few hours after deliver!!!!! Another difference is that we’ll be delivering our baby without medical pain control or medical interventions in a birthing tub. So, a water birth. That is definitely new, although more and more hospitals are getting on board with that in recent years!

So why would I need to pack enough gear into my bag for a few days? Exactly. I don’t. So there must be plenty of sources on the internet that tells me what to pack for delivering a baby at a birthing center, right? Wrong! Don’t get me wrong, there are several, but not nearly as many as you would hope. However, I have scoured a lot of internet sites and have managed to make a list! (What else would I do with all of my time besides make lists of all the things anyways?)

Here is  my birthing center packing list:

• Your bag or backpack to carry everything in
  • This is obvious, but still needs to be on the list – blame the pregnancy brain.
  • We are going to use our incredible diaper bag that Monica & Luke gave us as a shower gift.
• A birthing gown or robe
  • I actually decided to just go with this nice cozy robe that is easy to put on and take off while getting in or out of the birthing tub, and will keep me warm when I am wet.
• A nursing bra, tank, shirt, or dress (such as this one that I found on Amazon)
• Hair ties or headbands (your hair will get in your face and irritate you!)
• Comfortable house slippers or non skid socks (I LOVE THESE!!!)
• Swim top for mom
  • You may want to be in the birthing tub in the nude, and that is 100% fine! If you don’t I suggest a bikini top that can be removed easily to nurse your new baby with as little struggle as possible, although a tank top or shirt will work great also.
• Swim trunks for DAD!
  • Dad will be such a great help while you are in the water, so don’t forget to pack his swim trunks, or at least a dry change of clothes.
• Snacks and drinks!
  • This is one of the absolute best things (in my opinion) about giving birth at a birthing center! I can eat or drink throughout labor! The whole purpose of not eating or drinking while in labor is so that you don’t run the risk of aspiration during a c-section. Our bodies need fuel and hydration for this process though!
  • If anyone has their favorite labor/delivery snacks or drinks, please leave me a comment!!!
• Relaxing playlist
  • I am using the hypnobirthing playlist, available here, but anything that helps you relax will be perfect!
• Bluetooth speaker (or just your phone)*
• Your phone & charger
  • You are going to want your music, but you also can use your phone for so much more, such as taking notes, timing contractions, and snapping some cute pictures of your new little one and your newly enlarged family.
  • Phones are also great for keeping in touch with the outside world, whether that is to check on older kids or to update family on your progress.
  • Personally I do NOT want anyone updated on any part of the progress, from the moment I go into labor until the baby and I are already home and settled in a bit. Delivering a baby is stressful enough without having to worry about upsetting anyone by leaving out details or not responding quickly enough, or really having to worry about anyone else’s feelings period. Having a baby is about mom, dad, and baby. Even older siblings can wait until the newest arrival is home, unless mom agrees that they can be involved in the delivery room. Everyone outside of that is not necessary at all until at least mom and baby are comfy and mom feels like fielding questions and dealing with people. She just pushed an entire person out of her vagina! Nobody’s feelings or “need to know” matters until she says so. Period!!
• Massage oil
  • Make sure to pick a massage oil that is relaxing, but also safe for pregnancy and birth! We found this oil to be perfect so far! You can (and should) even use this as a perineal massage before birth to try to reduce your risk of tearing.
• Camera
  • You are going to want photos of your new baby!!!! If possible, I would recommend hiring a birth photographer so that you have one less worry, and you get to look back at the whole process that flew by in blur! We found Brianne, and she has been an absolute gem to work with so far!
• Baby’s Coming Home Outfit
• Dry Comfortable Clothes for Mom and Dad*
• Receiving Cloth or Swaddle Blanket
  • There is a lot of mixed information as to if swaddling a baby is actually considered best practice since it restricts movement, particularly in the hips. In order to avoid this altogether, we found some adorable ocean themed muslin “swaddle” blankets, but we just won’t actually do the swaddle wrapping.
• Newborn Mittens*
  • Babies have tiny, sharp nails that cut their cute little faces so easily. They can also cut your breast easily when they are trying to nurse.
• Nursing Pillow*
  • A nursing pillow is great for helping to support your baby while he/she tries to nurse. They can also be great for tummy time, progressing to helping baby sit up. Women have survived for centuries without this though, so don’t feel like it is necessary. Any pillow will work just the same.
• Infant Car Seat (properly installed, rear facing, in the back seat)
• Nipple Cream/Balm*
  • Breastfeeding is hard! It can also be painful. Research tips and tricks and be informed, but mostly trust your instincts. You were literally made for this ability!
• Perineal Cleansing Bottle
  • The birthing center might provide one, but we also found this one as an option.
  • This is used to spray your vagina with warm water to help clean in and reduce pain. Especially helpful when you get home and wiping after going pee is too much pressure and pain. (You didn’t think I would sugar coat these details, did you?) Also, invest in a bidet if you can!
• Pain Relieving Spray or Foam*
  • This is great for relieving pain and swelling. Since your vagina is basically a giant wound after delivery, be very cautious about what you are putting there! Frida mom seems to be a great brand that I have found so far.
• Medicated Cooling Wipes
  • Again, these might be given to you by the birthing center, but I wouldn’t chance it. We got several of these, although Tucks Wipes are great too! These also help prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
• Perineal Cold Packs
  • It is an ice pack. For your vagina. Because swelling! These Frida mom ones serve as a maxi pad too, because bleeding. There is usually a lot of it.
• Sitz Bath Spray or Soak
  • A sitz bath is great for improving blood flow, reducing swelling, and relaxing your muscles. Whether in an epsom salt bath soak or a spray, this is great to have, especially once you get home!
• Maternity Pads*
  • Definitely recommended for at home though, since the birthing center probably won’t give you enough to last the whole postpartum time. Also DO NOT USE TAMPONS! In case you are a first time mom, and didn’t know that.
• Disposable Panties*
  • At a hospital, you are given these awful mesh gigantic granny panties that are perfect for holding the ice pack and giant pad that you will need. If you want to find some of your own panties that you can also through away after using, by all means, or you can find disposable mesh ones online! Some birthing centers may provide some of the mesh ones as well.
• Diaper Bag (fully stocked and ready to use)
  • Details on what you will need in your diaper bag on the regular can be found here

* (might be unnecessary, but possibly useful at home)