Full disclosure . . . I LOVE a good list. I have notepads all around my home listing everything from books I want to read to goals I want to smash, groceries I need to buy, and questions to ask at our next pediatrician appointment. This “type A” mama’s love language is lists on lists on lists. So, when we found out we were expecting baby No. 3 and decided to pursue an entirely new birth experience at a private birth center, I immediately went on the hunt for a birth center bag checklist to know what to pack.

I was surprised when Pinterest turned up virtually nothing. There are countless hospital bag checklists, but the resources for birth center births are minimal. Our birth center is fully equipped with almost everything you’d expect to see in a labor and delivery room but in a more comfortable and natural environment. Like hospitals, birth centers provide all the supplies and medical equipment needed for delivery. However, unlike a hospital birth, we’ll bring home our baby in four to six hours after the birth. Because of that, there are some comforts from our previous hospital births I’d like to replicate at home during postpartum. This is where our birth center checklist comes in! We’ve compiled a resource guide to provide a starting point for women gearing up for a birth center birth.

Birth Center Bag Checklist: What to Pack

While every birth center provides the basics, packing a few key items for labor, baby, and postpartum will make the experience more comfortable.

1. Labor Essentials for Your Birth Center Bag

First on our checklist are the essentials for labor itself. These items for you and your partner may enhance your birthing experience or make you more comfortable during labor:

• The bag
• A birthing gown
• A nursing bra or tank
• Hair ties, claw clips, and/or a headband
• A toiletry bag with makeup removing wipes
• Comfortable flip-flops and nonskid socks
• Swim gear for mom and partner
• A change of clothes for mom and partner for going home
• Quick, healthy snacks and drinks
• Gum and/or mints
• A great birth playlist and Bluetooth speaker
• Massage oil
• A handheld fan
• Your phone and charger
• Your camera (You can also hire a birth photographer!)

2. Baby Essentials for Your Birth Center Bag

Second on our birth center bag checklist are baby’s essentials. This is a minimal list of what you’ll need to bring your baby home:

• Your stocked diaper bag
• Baby’s coming home outfit
• A swaddle blanket
• Newborn scratch mittens
• A nursing pillow
• An infant car seat (installed properly)

3. Postpartum Items for Your Birth Center Bag

Lastly, and probably most importantly, are postpartum essentials. These are the items you’ll need as you transition back to your home for the postpartum period:

• An organic sitz bath spray and soak
• Organic nipple balm
• A reusable/washable bed pad
• A perineal cleansing bottle
• Dermoplast spray
• TUCKS medicated cooling pads
• Perineal cold packs
• Organic maternity pads
• Mesh disposable post-delivery panties
• Comfortable clothes and slippers
• Hydrating drinks and nourishing snacks
• Your baby book

Final Thoughts

Your baby’s birth will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. I hope this birth center bag checklist helps you feel prepared for that big day. If you prefer to keep things simple, talk with your birth center about what they provide so you know exactly which essentials to bring.

For more guidance on labor and delivery from vaginal birth to cesarean, visit our birth tips for additional support.