One perk of giving birth in the birth center rather than at home is that you do not need to prepare so many supplies for the birth. They are already prepared for you at the birth center!

However, just as you would pack a bag for a hospital birth, you should plan to bring the following supplies to the birth center with you when you are in labor:

• Healthy food and beverages for mom and her support people (fruit, vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains, etc)
• A washed cotton baby blanket or two (washed prior to birth - even if new)
• 100% cotton infant clothes to bring baby home in, prewashed (not new with tags)
• Infant car seat, properly installed, to bring baby home
• Change of clothes for mom, including bra and underwear
• For Partner: toiletries, snacks or easy meals, drinks, swim trunks, change of clothes
  

• Adult diapers (Depends) or large postpartum pads
• Healthy food and beverages, including plenty of drinking water
• Thermometer
• Afterease (for moms who have given birth before - helps relieve afterpains)
• Ibuprofen (for afterpains, if not using Afterease or essential oils)
• Baby care and mama care items (Tucks pads, Dermaplast, Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm and/or Bottom Spray, afterbirth herbs, olive oil, witch hazel, nipple cream, heating pad, sitz bath tub, prepared “padsicles,” etc)

• Robe and slippers for comfort (the birth center has a robe for mom to use)
• Toiletries for mom and dad
• Camera (or birth photographer)
• Video camera (and operator other than your partner or midwife)
• Music (soothing, instrumental, praise music, etc)
• Anything else that you find comforting or useful (lip balm, hair ties, toothbrush, warm socks, essential oils, etc)
• Electrolyte drink if you prefer not to drink the Gatorade provided by the birth center