My Birth Center Bag Checklist

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Each time I’ve backed my birth bag whether it’s for the hospital or a birth center, there’s been a mix of anxiety and anticipation. My birth center bag has been formed over the last seven years and I like to think that I have a pretty good balance between what is necessary and wanted.

If you are looking for some recommendations on what to put in your own birth center bag, then welcome to my experience and my birth center bag checklist!

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Mom of 5 Birth Center Bag

As a mom of five, I’ve learned a thing or two about what’s truly necessary for my birth center bag. These items may vary for you, but when I was first welcoming babies into the world, resources like this helped me formulate my own unique plan as I took a peek at what other moms anticipated needing.

Whether you’re planning a hospital birth bag, a private birth center birth, or even a home birth, having the right essential items packed well in advance of your due date can make all the difference. Honestly packing my birth center bag is a process that brings peace of mind as I prepare for the big day.

I will be categorizing my bag into three different sections: Labor and Delivery Items, Postpartum Items, and Baby Items. It’s a pretty basic concept, but it helps keep your items organized in your head just a bit more.

My approach to packing includes specific items that will help create a comfortable environment, whether I’m in a hospital birth bag setting or a birthing center with bath tubs and peanut balls. Below is my birth center checklist broken into categories to help any mom feel confident and prepared.

Because I know that this will come up in people’s minds as they watch the video or read this post, here are some stats about my previous births to give you context.

Baby 1 – 10 pounds 4 ounces – hospital birth – epidural
Baby 2 – 9 pounds 6 ounces – hospital birth – natural birth/unmedicated birth
Baby 3 – 9 pounds 2 ounces – birth center – natural birth/unmedicated birth
Baby 4 – 8 pounds 4 ounces – birth center – natural birth/unmedicated birth

Delivery Items

When it comes to labor, comfort and functionality are key. These are the essential items I pack to ensure a smooth and empowering birth center birth experience:

• Vera Bradley Diaper Bag – This serves as my main bag, complete with a laundry-safe bag and a cosmetic bag for organization. I have never used the same bag twice for a birth, I just use whatever is the most convenient at the time. However, I was given this bag a few months ago and have been very impressed with the quality. I love the laundry-safe bag that it comes with! Although it does not appear that they make this specific one, Vera Bradley has a lot of other practical and functional bag options.
• Birthing Comb – This is a new tool for me, but I’m eager to try it for pain management during contractions. The research on the birth comb is quite fascinating. Birth is more of a mental endeavor than anything else and the idea is to direct all the tension in your body into the hand that is squeezing the comb. It serves as a distraction and a pain management system.

• Ultrasound picture of my baby – A focal point for motivation during labor. When I get to the point when I just can’t find the motivation to do it anymore, the picture of my baby truly helps reset my mind.
• Headphones – I use these with my Christian Hypnobirthing tracks to stay relaxed. If you use the code RACHAEL9883 you get 20% off!
• Birth Affirmation Cards – I made these back in 2017 for my first birth. The original ones are still the ones that I most frequently use and read during labor. However, last pregnancy, I was inspired to make them into a printable that I could share with others. The cards are based on the Fruits of the Spirit for Galatians 5 and serve as a reminder that this is an opportunity to shine Jesus’ love to those around me. I am not good at this, but I sure do try!

• Theragun back massager – Essential for relieving pain from my herniated disk.
• Hair ties, headbands, and ponytails – Keeping my hair out of the way is a great idea for focus and comfort.

Christian Hypnobirthing Tracks

One of the most transformative additions to my birth center bag this time around is my Christian Hypnobirthing tracks. Actually the addition is on my phone, but you get the idea! After experiencing a rather traumatic pregnancy, labor, and postpartum period with my fourth baby, I knew I needed a different approach for my fifth.

Fear is one of the biggest causes of pain in childbirth, and I am bound and determined to have the best birth possible. Our bodies are perfectly designed to birth baby and I think sometimes we forget this. There are so many interventions available for birth and of course, some of them are necessary! The Christian Hypnobirthing tracks have completely reshaped my mindset, giving me peace, confidence, and a renewed sense of trust in my body’s ability to birth.

The tracks are my top recommendation, but the creator of the tracks also created a birth course and honestly, it’s the best birth course I’ve ever taken. Every lesson I’ve learned over my past births—along with so much more—has been beautifully condensed into this program. The accompanying birth class has equipped me with the knowledge and tools to surrender fully to the birth process, trusting in God’s perfect design.

As I listen to the soothing affirmations, scripture-based encouragement, and guided relaxation techniques, I feel my heart and mind aligning with the truth that birth is a gift, not something to fear. This shift in perspective has been invaluable, and I cannot wait to experience the difference during labor.

If you want to grab the tracks/birth course you can get it at 20% off use the code RACHAEL9883.

Postpartum Items

This is the section that I don’t particularly want to talk about as much. It’s kind of a personal part of a birth bag! However, birth is just a part of the human experience and the reality is that minutes after birth, things ain’t looking all that clean and put together. We need practical items to clean up the mess!

• Postpartum pads and diapers – Essential for the early days of healing.
• Phone charger – Although we tend not to be at the birth center very long (6-8 hours), I like to have this just in case!
• Change of comfy clothes – Soft, breathable fabrics make a world of difference. By the way, these pants are perfect for pregnancy and postpartum. I’ve bought so many of them, it’s almost shameful!
• Nursing bra and nursing pillow – Helps with easier breastfeeding positioning.
• Underwear – This actually deserves to be in the delivery section as well. I bring a lot of underwear in case I use the birthing tub as an option. I am not an ‘all-natural’ birthing person. I like to labor in clothes!
• Personal toiletries, and deodorant – Freshening up after delivery is so refreshing. At my birth center, they provide a lovely shower that has shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. that are all ‘clean’ products, which helps alleviate some of those things I might want to bring along.
• Papa Bear Naturals lotion – I always like packing some sort of cooling lotion after taking that first postpartum shower. This cooling lotion from Papa Bear is one of my new obsessions. Check out that ingredient list because it’s the shortest I’ve ever seen and the lotion is super effective! My link gets you 10% off!
• THINK Bars – We always try and bring some snacks to the birth center. It’s not like a hospital where there is a cafeteria! These bars have been a go-to for a simple and ‘cleaner’ protein source.
• Lens case – For keeping my contacts safe if I need to take them out.

New Baby Items

Now comes the section that is the cutest and most looked forward to. Or at least that’s what I’m looking forward to the most! Bringing a baby home requires a few favorite things to keep them comfortable and prepared for their first journey. Here’s what I pack for my newborn:

• Car seat – A non-negotiable essential for safely bringing the baby home.
• 3 pairs of zipper baby clothes – I only need one at the birth center, but extras are always a great idea.
• Nursing shawl – Doubles as a blanket for when the baby comes home. The Itzy Ritzy brand is my favorite as it has a cloth hook instead of a tube for using it as a nursing shawl. I have found as a taller and larger lady, that nursing shawls are just not big enough for me. This one gives you ample room.
• Newborn diapers – In my first three pregnancies, I brought my own stock of cloth diapers to my birth. However the last two, we really haven’t even tried to maintain my cloth diaper routine and have just gone straight to disposables.
• Breast pump – Truth be told, I don’t actually ‘need’ this, but I include it in my birth bag for two reasons. First, it can be helpful to progress a natural birth. You’ll have to do your own research on it, but I’ve used it multiple times. Second, I like having it cleaned, charged, and ready to go for quick access to it as needed.

Final Thoughts

Having gone through this process multiple times, I’ve refined my packing list to only include what truly matters to me. Your packing list might look totally different than mine, but mine may give you some additional ideas you hadn’t thought of! Whether you’re a first-time mom or preparing for another birth center birth, packing in advance of your due date will give you peace of mind. One thing that I’m certain of, the baby that is coming is a blessing from above!

If you’re prepping for your own birth experience, I hope this birth center checklist gives you a helpful starting point!

As I pack each item, little hands reach in, curious and excited, reminding me of the joy that awaits. My children giggle as they tuck in a favorite pillow or hand me a stuffed animal that they want to give their new brother, their innocent enthusiasm a reflection of the love that fills our home. Each folded comfortable clothing and neatly placed essential item whispers of the sacred role of motherhood—the ministry of love, sacrifice, and unwavering faith.

What a blessing it is to be entrusted with these little souls! To carry them, birth them, and guide them in the light of God’s grace. We were made to do this. Here are a couple of phrases that I’m remembering to anchor me as I go into labor and delivery. These were adapted from the Pain-Free Birth Podcast episode #45 which really impacted me this week as I thought through what I want this birth to look like.

“You were not given the capacity for this until now. You have now been given the capacity to do this.”

“He is not leading you to it to fail you.”

As I prepare for this big day, I am reminded that birth is not just a moment—it is a sacred beginning, a powerful testimony of life’s beauty, and a reminder of the precious gift of children. With gratitude in my heart, I close my birth center bag, knowing that soon, my arms will be full again, and my heart, even fuller.

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