Client Resources

Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum Resource List

Books:

• The Birth Partner - by Penny Simkin (Addresses stages of labor and coping strategies for each stage. Information for your partner about how to support you through each stage. Information on common birth interventions and their risks/benefits. Discusses benefits of various positions during labor.)

• The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (Published by the la-leche league. Gives advice for dealing with various breastfeeding issues, discusses co-sleeping safety.)

• Real food for pregnancy –  by Lilly Nicols (Up-to-date research on the best nutrition recommendations to support a healthy pregnancy)

Podcasts:

• The Birth Hour: A podcast where women tell their birth stories in detail. You can listen to stories focused on the kind of birth you are planning for, and/or prepare for unforeseen possibilities by listening to stories about other types of births. This is a wonderful resource to help you gain some idea of what labor could be like.

• Evidence-based birth: Reviews evidence on many different birth-related topics (for example, birthing positions, vitamin K shots, perineal tearing, etc) and hot-topic issues. Also includes birth stories and interviews with birth professionals.

• Mommy Labor Nurse: Various birth topics are discussed in detail from the perspective of a labor and delivery nurse. 

• The Homebirth Midwife: Discusses various birth topics (interventions, complications, preparation, etc) from the perspective of two homebirth midwives.

 Additional Research Resources:

• Evidence Based Birth Signature Articles: Articles evaluating the evidence on various birth, pregnancy, and baby topics such as circumcision, breech position, fetal monitoring, water births, and much more.

Lists 

Please note: links to products are meant to be helpful for reference. My intention isn’t to endorse any particular brands. 

Postpartum Supplies 

• Peri-bottle 

• Instant padsicles

• Adult diapers (several days)

• Witch Hazel Perineal Spray or foam

• Tucks pads

• Pads/Pantyliners (Up to 6 weeks)

• Squatty potty

• Stool softener 

• Ibuprofen/Tylenol

• Preparation H

• Hemorrhoid suppositories

Breastfeeding and Pumping Supplies:

• Nursing bras

• Nursing pads (disposable or washable)

• Breast pump (Spectra and Medela work well for most people)

• Milk storage bags

• Slow flow bottles 

• My Breast Friend nursing pillow (buckles around you to make your life so much easier)

  Hydrogel pads for nipple soreness

• Lanolin Oil

• Night light/Dimmable lamp

• Appropriate-sized flanges for pumping

• Microwave sanitizing bag or bottle sanitizer for pump parts

Hospital bag suggestions:

• Diaper cream (put it on right away to make meconium cleanup easier)

• Clothes for baby in two sizes

• Comfort items for mama (pillow, blanket, etc)

• Pain management items for mama (comb, fan, tennis ball, rice bag, etc)

• Toothbrush and paste for all involved

• Hair tie

• Chapstick

• Snacks

• Phone charger

• Playlists

• Physical copy of birth preferences

• Comfy clothes for going home 

• Change of clothes for dad

• Any sentimental items (picture of ultrasound/loved ones, etc)

 Breastfeeding Help:

WIC – offers free lactation consultation. No questions asked. Google the closest WIC office and give them a call to schedule.

La Leche League breastfeeding support group info

 Aeroflow Breast Pumps: Input your insurance info, choose a covered breast pump, and they send a request to your provider for a prescription. Voila, free breast pump!

Choosing the correct flange size for your pump

How to hand express breast milk (great for collecting colostrum, can be used instead of pumping anytime during your breastfeeding journey.)