Birth

Guides

Giving birth is a profound and transformative moment in a person’s life. We want you to feel ready and knowledgeable for your labor and baby’s debut! Here you can explore expert advice on topics like vaginal unmedicated and medicated births, C-section births, home births, birth center births, and adoption. Read inspiring birth stories, helpful tips, and checklists that can support you through this life-changing journey.

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A pregnant person wearing a red top and black pants is sitting on a bed, packing baby clothes into their hospital bag. They are sorting through a stack of small garments and holding a piece of baby clothing in one hand, meticulously following the hospital bag checklist.

The ULTIMATE Hospital Bag Checklist

From a doula, here is the ultimate hospital bag checklist that has everything you will need for you, your partner, and baby!

Birth Tips
Close-up of a pregnant woman's belly. She is wearing a light blue delivery gown and cradling her belly with both hands. She stands near a sheer curtain, with soft natural light coming through. The setting appears calm and serene.

What To Wear at a Hospital Birth
Guides
A pregnant woman sits, cradled by another person behind her. The person's hands hold a pair of baby shoes near the woman's belly. With her white shirt and light-colored pants, she radiates anticipation as she mentally prepares the birth center bag for the special day ahead.

Checklist: What to Pack in Your Birth Center Bag
Guides
A stethoscope rests on a yellow knitted fabric beside a brown paper-wrapped gift box tied with a yellow ribbon. The objects are arranged closely, suggesting a theme that might be related to gifts for labor delivery nurses or celebrating the dedication of medical professionals.

10 Thank You Gifts to Give Your Nurses in Labor and Delivery
Guides
A person in a blue and white striped dress holds their pregnant belly with one hand and a brown checkered handbag, packed with essential hospital bag items, with the other. The background features a walkway and green lawn with columns in view.

8 Must-Have Labor Induction Hospital Bag Items
Guides

What to buy

A pregnant woman sits on a sofa, looking into the white quilted c-section hospital bag she has on her lap. There is a stuffed toy cat next to her and a bicycle in the background. She is wearing a grey t-shirt and green pants.

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag for a C-Section

 C-section
A stethoscope rests on a yellow knitted fabric beside a brown paper-wrapped gift box tied with a yellow ribbon. The objects are arranged closely, suggesting a theme that might be related to gifts for labor delivery nurses or celebrating the dedication of medical professionals.

10 Thank You Gifts to Give Your Nurses in Labor and Delivery

 Guides
A man with a beard and glasses is leaning against a yellow headboard, reading baby books for your partner while sitting in bed. A French Bulldog, partially covered by a white duvet, is next to him, looking towards the camera. A window is visible in the background.

16 Recommended Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby Books for Your Partner

 Fatherhood
A stack of pregnancy books and parenting guides on a dark wooden table. Titles include "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth," "Birthing from Within," "Pushed," "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth," "Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn," and "Mindful Birthing.

The Best Pregnancy and Birth Books

 Pregnancy Guides
A person in a blue and white striped dress holds their pregnant belly with one hand and a brown checkered handbag, packed with essential hospital bag items, with the other. The background features a walkway and green lawn with columns in view.

8 Must-Have Labor Induction Hospital Bag Items

 Guides
Close-up of a pregnant woman's belly. She is wearing a light blue delivery gown and cradling her belly with both hands. She stands near a sheer curtain, with soft natural light coming through. The setting appears calm and serene.

What To Wear at a Hospital Birth

 Guides
A pregnant woman in a magenta shirt is looking at a catalog labeled "ESSENTIAL SINGLES" on a table. Next to her, there is an aroma diffuser, a box of essential oils for labor, and other booklets. She rests one hand on her belly and holds the catalog with the other.

Top 10 Essential Oils for Labor and Delivery

 Guides
A pregnant person wearing a red top and black pants is sitting on a bed, packing baby clothes into their hospital bag. They are sorting through a stack of small garments and holding a piece of baby clothing in one hand, meticulously following the hospital bag checklist.

The ULTIMATE Hospital Bag Checklist

 Birth Tips
A table displays a stack of books, a hypnobirthing guide, an EPI-NO device, Earth Mama tea, various supplements and bottles, and a package of Dole dates alongside a small, colorful flower arrangement in the background—all essentials to help prepare your body for labor and birth.

Products To Help Prepare Your Body for Labor and Birth

 Guides
A collection of beauty and skincare products are displayed in front of a decorative bag with a lavender field design, reminiscent of the tranquility one might seek during a home birth. The setup includes various bottles, containers, and boxes. The background shows pillows with the words "MONSIEUR" and "MADAME.

Everything You Need for Your Home Birth

 Guides
A pregnant woman sits, cradled by another person behind her. The person's hands hold a pair of baby shoes near the woman's belly. With her white shirt and light-colored pants, she radiates anticipation as she mentally prepares the birth center bag for the special day ahead.

Checklist: What to Pack in Your Birth Center Bag

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More from Birth

A pregnant woman sits on a sofa, looking into the white quilted c-section hospital bag she has on her lap. There is a stuffed toy cat next to her and a bicycle in the background. She is wearing a grey t-shirt and green pants.

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag for a C-Section
C-section
A stethoscope rests on a yellow knitted fabric beside a brown paper-wrapped gift box tied with a yellow ribbon. The objects are arranged closely, suggesting a theme that might be related to gifts for labor delivery nurses or celebrating the dedication of medical professionals.

10 Thank You Gifts to Give Your Nurses in Labor and Delivery
Guides
A man with a beard and glasses is leaning against a yellow headboard, reading baby books for your partner while sitting in bed. A French Bulldog, partially covered by a white duvet, is next to him, looking towards the camera. A window is visible in the background.

16 Recommended Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby Books for Your Partner
Fatherhood
A stack of pregnancy books and parenting guides on a dark wooden table. Titles include "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth," "Birthing from Within," "Pushed," "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth," "Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn," and "Mindful Birthing.

The Best Pregnancy and Birth Books
Pregnancy Guides
A person in a blue and white striped dress holds their pregnant belly with one hand and a brown checkered handbag, packed with essential hospital bag items, with the other. The background features a walkway and green lawn with columns in view.

8 Must-Have Labor Induction Hospital Bag Items
Guides
Close-up of a pregnant woman's belly. She is wearing a light blue delivery gown and cradling her belly with both hands. She stands near a sheer curtain, with soft natural light coming through. The setting appears calm and serene.

What To Wear at a Hospital Birth
Guides
A pregnant woman in a magenta shirt is looking at a catalog labeled "ESSENTIAL SINGLES" on a table. Next to her, there is an aroma diffuser, a box of essential oils for labor, and other booklets. She rests one hand on her belly and holds the catalog with the other.

Top 10 Essential Oils for Labor and Delivery
Guides
A pregnant person wearing a red top and black pants is sitting on a bed, packing baby clothes into their hospital bag. They are sorting through a stack of small garments and holding a piece of baby clothing in one hand, meticulously following the hospital bag checklist.

The ULTIMATE Hospital Bag Checklist
Birth Tips
A table displays a stack of books, a hypnobirthing guide, an EPI-NO device, Earth Mama tea, various supplements and bottles, and a package of Dole dates alongside a small, colorful flower arrangement in the background—all essentials to help prepare your body for labor and birth.

Products To Help Prepare Your Body for Labor and Birth
Guides
A collection of beauty and skincare products are displayed in front of a decorative bag with a lavender field design, reminiscent of the tranquility one might seek during a home birth. The setup includes various bottles, containers, and boxes. The background shows pillows with the words "MONSIEUR" and "MADAME.
The logo for Earth Mama Organics features the company name in lowercase letters, with the word "earth" above "mama." A red heart and green leaves are placed above the word "earth," symbolizing love and nature. Perfect for those embracing home birth, the word "organics" is written in uppercase letters below "mama.

Everything You Need for Your Home Birth
Guides
A pregnant woman sits, cradled by another person behind her. The person's hands hold a pair of baby shoes near the woman's belly. With her white shirt and light-colored pants, she radiates anticipation as she mentally prepares the birth center bag for the special day ahead.

Checklist: What to Pack in Your Birth Center Bag
Guides