What to Pack in the Hospital Bag

There are lists upon lists of things to bring with you to the hospital, your clothes, baby clothes, string lights, lotion, toiletries, slippers, blankets, fake candles, oil diffusers…the lists go on and on. If these lists speak to you and make sense and feel like a representation of things that make you feel comfortable and loved, then follow them. If they feel overwhelming and excessive, then read on for my suggestions based on my experiences at hospitals.

Let’s break it down into two categories, for you and for baby.

For you

You can’t bring real candles to the hospital…but these two are so cute!

My strongest suggestion here is to pack things that make sense to you. The point of packing a hospital bag is to make you feel comfortable and safe, to make the hospital room feel a little less foreign. Comfort and security are two huge promotors of oxytocin, the hormone that is crucial to a strong effective labor. Bring things from your day to day life, like a favorite hand cream, and everyday chapstick, a chill playlist. Here are a few things I do think are important to have to feel prepared.

• If you don’t want to wear a hospital gown, pack a long t-shirt or oversized button down (just make sure you don’t mind if it gets a little stained)

• Some slippers or socks with tread on them (hospitals also offer these)

• Your tooth brush/deodorant/hairbrush, whatever will make you feel a little bit more put together postpartum

• Comfy clothes to wear postpartum, you will not suddenly fit back into your pre-pregnancy jeans, so bring yoga/sweat pants that will feel cozy and loose.

• If you have items that you use to relax, such as essential oils, fake candles, or special music, bring these…but don’t feel you have to bring them if you have never used them for relaxation before.

• Your support team bring your partner, your mom, your doula, your best friend…whoever is on that support team, bring them! (This is the most important item!!) 

For Baby

Cozy baby

• A cozy outfit to wear home

• A blanket to wear home

• A car seat

• If you have a breast pump you are planning to use, you can also bring this and the lactation consultant can make sure you are using it properly.

Of course, you can add to this list, or ask your childbirth educator, provider, or doula if they have any further recommendations. Many of the births I have attended end with clothing scattered about, blankets balled up on chairs, slippers left by the door, and the only list item doing its job is the support team. So it’s okay if you forget your toothbrush, or a blanket…but please don’t forget your support team, because you will really need them!

How to Find a Doula

Finding a doula can seem like a daunting task, especially if you live an area where there are many doulas and birth workers to chose from. Maybe your friend had a doula, and she can’t stop telling you how amazing it was. Maybe you heard about doulas in your childbirth education class and wanted to learn more. Maybe you googled “ways to reduce medical interventions in birth” and a doula was suggested. For whatever reason you are looking for a doula, it might feel like a big task. Here are some tips to finding the right doula for you.

First, ask your provider what doulas they usually recommend. Some providers are really supportive of doula work, and have local doulas they regularly refer patients too. If your provider does not have a recommendation, then ask a friend, a childbirth education instructor, or some other provider you have. (As a doula I work hard to make connections to providers who have pregnant clients, so it is worth asking your chiropractor/acupuncturist/message therapist, etc…) I have always found it helpful to hear a direct recommendation from someone than just googling “doulas near me.” That being said…

Second, if no one has any recommendations on local doulas go ahead and google “doulas near me,” or “doulas in Maine,” and see what comes up.

Here are a few websites that list doulas in the area.

DONA International- On their website you can search for birth doulas by entering your zip code and an area radius. The list they provide are all doulas who are DONA certified. This is a good list because you know you are getting a trained and certified doula.  

Doula Match- This website is a resource of hundreds of doulas, you enter your zip code and an area radius, and your due date. The doulas input their availability, so the ones that come up for you are available at your due date! Doula Match is not affiliated with any specific certifying organization, so you will be given a wide variety of doulas with many varying experiences.

Doula Trainings International- this is a certifying organization (similar to DONA), on their website you can enter your zip code and doulas in your area pop up!

These are the three big ones, but different areas have organizations with doulas specific to that location.

Third, look for certification. Doulas listed on DONA’s website are all DONA certified, which is the most common and widely spread certification organization. Doula Match confirms that doulas who say they are certified, are in fact certified, though it can be through any organization. If a doula is certified, it means that they have completed a certain number of births, done a workshop, and participate in continuing education workshops. Some doulas are not certified, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. If a doula is uncertified but has attended hundreds of births, then it is a fairly safe bet that she is a wonderful and talented doula.

Fourth, make your list. Now you have done your research and found all these wonderful doulas in your area. But who to choose? I don’t know of any doulas who charge for a first phone call, we are all happy to hear from prospective clients. Start calling the doulas on your list, ask about their training, their availability, their back-up plan, their values, their fees, and their contract policies. If you don’t click or something seems off, cross her off your list. Chances are that if you don’t get along now, you won’t get along when you’re in labor. This is a good time to go with your gut feeling. Maybe you talk to a doula who has attended hundreds of births but doesn’t have a sense of humor. And then you talk to a newer doula and she is just starting out, but makes you feel comfortable and happy. Follow your gut, birth is a really intuitional experience.

Fifth, I know I just listed things to ask a doula on the phone, but I will lay them out here again for when you meet your doula in your first prenatal meeting.

Ask your doula questions, she will answer them!

o   Her training

o   How many births she’s attended

o   How many clients she takes each month

o   What her fee is

o   Does she support _________ (VBAC, bottle feeding, breast feeding, planned caesarean birth, surrogacy births, clients with traumatic history, whatever is important and relevant to you)

• Most likely your doula will remind you to ask questions multiple times in the interview, and don’t hold back. She is there to answer your questions and to be a knowledgeable resource.

• Your doula will talk with you about her services and her scope of practice, what she can and cannot do as a doula.

• Most doulas (including me) sign a client contract at the end of this first meeting. There is usually a down payment made at this time, as well as an explanation of services. If you have questions about the fees, for example, does she offer sliding scale fees, or payment plans, ask them before you get to signing the contract!

These are my suggestions for choosing the right doula. The big takeaway is to follow your gut instinct, if it feels like a good fit, it probably is. Having a doula at your birth is a wonderful option, and I hope you find someone who is right for you!

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