Birth Center Packing List

(link to printable at the bottom of the page)

I looked high and low on the Internet for a birth center packing list. I found a couple, I wasn't sold on their lists though they either had too much or not enough. I found a lot of "Hospital OR Birthing Center" lists. Also not a perfect fit. Since I haven't actually given birth yet I am sure this list will be edited, and I welcome (encourage!) comments about what you found useful during your labor and birth, or if you have ideas.

Keep in mind that the birthing center doesn't provide everything the hospital does, meaning diapers, onsies, caps, etc. You're also expected to wear your own clothes (going naked IS an option!) I am also planning on a water birth.  Another interesting difference is that you leave the birthing center 6-12 hours after the birth if there are no complications. They do this my sending a midwife to your house to check on you afterwards.

I have compiled a list from several I found on other blogs, websites like babycenter.com, among other places.  I also read though reviews and comments to find out what other moms used and didn't use.

I have a free printable for you at the end of the post (let me know what you think!) And I am also going to go down the list and explain some. It seems like a lot but all in all I will have one bag for me, the diaper bag, and a backpack for daddy.

As soon as I get around to buying things and putting the bags together I will update with pictures! I am compiling the list now while I am 30 weeks so I have time to buy everything to get my bag packed at a reasonable time.


Here it is!

For Dad to carry to car:

• My boppy pillow (everyone should have one. I can't sleep without it.)
• Towel and trash bag for car (in case of my water breaking before/during the car ride.)
• plastic bag (I hear you puke)
• Mommy's bag
• Daddy's bag
• Diaper Bag
• Car seat (ideally already installed)

In Mommy's Bag:

toiletries bag (I have a few clear plastic zip bags to put inside my suitcase to keep things organized)

• comb/brush
• hair tie
• hair scarf (my hair wont all stay up on its own)
• chapstick (nothing worse than dry lips, and I anticipate breathing out of my mouth a lot)
• coconut oil (works for diaper cream to keep meconium from sticking, massage oil for during labor, and nipple cream since I am breastfeeding)
• travel shampoo and conditioner
• travel body wash (I hear the after baby shower is GLORIOUS)
• toothbrush (new one so I don't have to remember the one I am currently using)
• travel toothpaste
• travel deodorant
• make-up (I may not use this one but I may regret not bringing it for after labor. Lots of pictures. Call me vain!)
• glasses and contacts (I've heard several times glasses during birth being a pain, and I can definitely see that with a water birth.)
• Big pads/depends. (I haven't decided yet. I don't like the "diaper" idea but I may feel more secure about walking around if I'm not afraid to bleed on my clothes.)

Clothes

• old bathrobe
• comfortable nightgown for labor
• P.J.'s to change into for nursing/visitors after the birth
• Going home outfit (comfortable and roomy! Probably a dress since I'm delivering in spring)
• socks
• old comfortable black underwear (for after delivery, not sure the mesh ones I hear about are available)
• swim top for water birth (I don't think I'll want it but I'd prefer to have it around!)
• nursing bra
• slippers
• flip flops
• wet bag for dirty laundry. (I may be over confident in my laundry skills but I'm sure I can save some ruined things)
  
  extras
• cough drops (I love the cherry ones, and I kinda see my self as a loud laborer=sore throat)
• snacks (this will be another list entirely, YES I am allowed to eat whatever I want during labor.)
• drinks (lots of water and drinks with electrolytes)
• ID and insurance cards (in case of transport)
• music (I will be making a play list)
• heat sock (I love my heat sock)
• massage tools (tennis balls, I also have a machine that is wonderful)
• aromatherapy oils (lavender, I love lavender) 
• Birth plan

Daddy's Bag:

• cellphones and chargers
• camera and batteries
• written call list (I like hard copies of everything)
• book (I hope he will be too busy comforting me but, there is the off chance he will get bored)
• change of clothes (you never know what you will get on you!)
• deodorant
• toothbrush and paste
• bathing suit (if he wants to get in the tub or shower with me)

Diaper/Baby Bag:

• 4 different outfits (Not sure of his size, he has the potential to be 10+ lbs!)
• mittens
• 3 blankets (light since I'm delivering in spring)
• 8 prefolds and 2 covers (I'm using less expensive prefolds to get though the meconium stage (that early poop stains I hear) and/or until one size pocket cloth diapers fit him.)
• baby book for footprints
• knit hat
• socks
• nasal aspirator
• comb
• nail clippers

 Emergency Bag:

• extra change of clothes
• ID/Insurance card
• Birth plan
  
  
  UPDATE: I was transferred to the hospital and ended up spending 5 days there.  I used EVERYTHING in my bag at one point or another.  My doula, who has been a doula since the early 80's said I was the most prepared mom she had ever seen. So, pack what you want but I did literally use everything in my bags. My doula even used my computer during my 3 day long labor. I even used the cloth diapers because baby had a reaction to the hospital's disopsables.  Hubby had to go home and get more.
  
   
• Here is the printable! If you have any problems printing it please comment and I'll e-mail you the file.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Free Birthing Center List Printable

Two Ingredient DIY Laundry Detergent

I attended a cloth diapering class at my birthing center recently and they provided me with this recipe. Thanks to The Rebecca Foundation! They are a great local organization that helps low income families with cloth diapers as well as educating the community about using cloth. But that's another post! I have been using this on my regular laundry to test it out and I have been thrilled with the results. I used a free and clear brand before with lackluster results. My laundry has been AMAZINGLY clean. My towels have been SO fluffy. It makes sense because the purpose of not using regular laundry detergent on cloth diapers is to prevent oil buildup that will eventually affect the absorbency, as well as make the diapers stink.

I won't claim to be an expert and I know there is controversy surrounding various ingredients of DIY detergents. But I know this works well with my washer on my laundry and it's the simplest I've seen so far.  It may be worth noting that my water is not very hard. These recipes have a reputation for not working great with hard water.

Without further delay though, here is the recipe:

I feel kind of strange calling this a "recipe". It only has two ingredients. Here is what you need:

• 1 bar Fels-Naptha or Ivory soap. I used Ivory. At Kroger it was around $1.80 for a three pack here in Tennessee. (sixty cents a pop!)
• 2 cups baking soda (they were very clear NOT washing soda) One 16oz (1lb) box of baking soda is two cups. A box should run you less than a dollar.
• You will also need a jar or something to keep your detergent in. It should be air tight. This one is, it's just prettier without the seal and clips.
• A cheese grater is also needed. I don't see any reason why you shouldn't use the one you cook with. It's just soap, and the ivory rinses easily off of mine.
• Something to mix it with, you could always use your hand. I used the scoop I use for the detergent.

Step one: Grate the soap. I used one of the finer grits on my grater and it works great. Here is what it looks like grated.

Step two: Add the box of baking soda

Stir it up! Here is what the final product should look like:

Use 1/2 a teaspoon for small loads. I have a heavy duty giant washer (I use a whole mounded teaspoon if it's full. Which is usually.) On the recipe The Rebecca Foundation gave me it says this does 250 small loads (1/2 tsp). Which means 125 large loads for about $1.60. If you do about two large loads a day, this should last you two months. That's a years worth of laundry for less than $10! A sixty load package costs more than that with some brands. And in my opinion they do not clean nearly as well. I have been using this for about a month now and have hardly made a dent in my first batch. I am very happy about my new detergent!

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know if you have tried this and if it worked for you. A piece of advice my cloth diaper instructor gave me is to try adding water softener before giving up on this recipe if it is not working. You should be able to call your energy company and ask if you have hard water.

5 Ways to Make Yourself Miserable While Pregnant

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1372512

1. Don’t take your prenatal vitamin. Not only are your prenatals essential for your baby’s development, but missing out on your vitamins can make you extra tired, which is often a problem anyway in the third trimester when iron deficiency anemia is a more common problem.  Iron deficiency has also been linked to restless leg syndrome which can start a vicious cycle of disturbing your sleep. I learned this the hard way. Talk to your doctor or midwife if you are having problems with your current prenatal vitamins.  I’m really bad at remembering to take mine, but I notice a difference when I do. I am planning on trying the gummy kind soon. I love gummy vitamins.
2. Don’t rest enough. If you are tired your body is trying to tell you something. Even a short nap during the day can be essential for some women. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for needing a break. Fatigue is extremely common during the first and third trimester. I have started getting tired again lately. I feel like I could nap all day then sleep all night. I feel like my nesting instinct is the only reason I wake up. I remember feeling like I woke up from fog at the end of my first trimester. Sleep while you can, especially if this is your first baby. It won’t be so peaceful next time!
3. Don’t exercise. Exercise during pregnancy can be a great energy booster. Not to mention my midwife is constantly reminding me that if I don’t stay in shape my labor will be harder.  I’m not the best at this honestly. I had some complications at the beginning of my pregnancy that made it difficult to keep up my active schedule, but I do try to move some every day. Even if it's just a vigorous house cleaning. I try to stretch a lot at a minimum. I make a resolution to start hiking again on a weekly basis.
4. Skip meals. Skipping meals make your blood sugar drop which can lead to a drop in energy. If I don’t eat I also end up being extremely nauseous, even in my 3^rd trimester. I also tend to bite my husbands head off when I am hungry. He learned very quickly that I needed food if I started to get testy. Eating well also help you maintain energy levels and support baby's growth.
5. Don’t drink enough fluids. Not staying hydrated while pregnant can not only make you feel like crap but is extremely dangerous .  It can be hard to remember to be consistently consuming fluids, but if you don’t you can have a wide variety of outcomes, including premature labor. If you are thirsty you are probably already mildly dehydrated. Right now I am addicted to sparkling waters. I started drinking them in an attempt to quit drinking my beloved sodas. They aren't for everyone though. Some people seem to think they are nasty. I think they are yummy. I’m mostly into sodas for the carbonation though, not the sugar so it depends on what you like. I personally like the fruity La Crouix flavors.

There are plenty more things you can do to make yourself feel pretty miserable while you are pregnant, but I think these are the most common.  I've also been guilty of all of them at some point or another. What bad habit did you stumble into that you didn't realize would have such an affect on you?