Knowing what to bring to your childbirth class can make or break the experience for you.  It doesn’t matter if you’re taking a local one at your hospital, or a formal one in someone’s home geared towards a specific technique, like the Bradley Method for example.

If you show up without a few comforts, you’re going to learn to hate the class very quickly.  And this can add to your already too long of a list of things to worry about, escalating negatively towards your birth experience.  You’re a smart person and don’t want that, especially where you’ve already taken the initiative to be in the class at all.

What To Bring To Childbirth Class

Anyway, the list isn’t very long and many are obvious.  But hopefully a few things you maybe didn’t consider will go along with you too and make a big difference.

Did you already start your sessions?  That’s okay, just make sure you’re more prepared next time.  Most classes occur over several weeks.

Are you taking one online?  No problem, you’ve got what you need right at your side already and now have no excuses.  🙂

Comfortable Clothes

You don’t necessarily have to have extreme workout clothing on, you may stick out a little bit if you do.  But you don’t want to go in there in jeans or business casual if you’re just coming from work.  You’re going to be stretching and moving around into different positions, on the floor, standing up, and you want to do so easily.

• Yoga pants are my NEW favorite piece of clothing.  I cannot believe that I’ve gone this long without them and now I have two pairs I wear faithfully.
• Honestly, pajamas are great too (the modest kind mind you).  Most of us will be in labor in our sweats or pajamas because of the odds of it being the middle of the night.
• Sports bra would be preferable to something that’s stiff with a wire.  And if your top will let you get away with it, no bra at all is fine too.  I doubt you’re going to have a bra on while you’re in labor.

Pillows

At least two are needed here, and they can’t be your little designer ones on the couch.  I’m talking about bed pillows.  One of them can even be a body pillow if you like.

Why?  Because you’re not going to be in your bed or pool or comfortable area where you’re going to give birth.  With the different positions you’re going to be trying, it’s MUCH easier to relax and let your body do its thing when it’s comfortable or helped with a little padding here and there.  You wouldn’t sleep in your bed without your pillows now would you?

Yoga Mat

Sometimes these are provided, but you likely will want your own anyway so you don’t have to share.  You’re going to be on the floor a lot when you’re going over positions and relaxing.  Hopefully, it’s not stone cold or concrete, but you never know.  A yoga mat can save your bottom an entire day of pain.

Water

Because you should always have it with you in your purse anyway.  You may be doing breathing exercises which can dry out your mouth quickly.  You don’t want your Braxton Hicks contractions kicking into gear and distracting you because they’re out of place from lack of hydration.  Plus you’ll likely eat something and you’ll want to wash it down too.

Snack

If the instructor is any sort of kindred spirit, they’ll have some sort of small snack for you, but maybe not.  But like your water, make sure you always have something with you so you’re not crashing half way through your stay and get all embarrassed because you need to leave early for some food.  Read more about tips for keeping your protein levels high here so that you can last.

HUSBAND

If you are able, have that man by your side.  He started all of this and it’s his duty to see it through.  This is just the first step–learning all he can by your side so he can be your advocate and confidant when times are intense.  Who else is going to back up your decisions and help you through it all if you’re in the hospital?  If he chooses to not be there, bring someone who will.

Notebook

You’re going to learn so much information in such a short amount of time that it can seem overwhelming.  Some courses will provide books and resources for your reference and to follow along with every step of the way.  But some don’t and you’ll have to do all you can to keep anything and everything in writing that you find useful.

Have:

• plenty of writing space, like a notebook, and
• at least two pens so you can jot down every valuable scrap of info.

Questions

If you already have burning questions you want to ask, bring them!  They’ll likely all be answered throughout the sessions you attend.  Cross them off your list as you go along and then ask the remaining if they weren’t addressed .

DON’T be afraid to ask questions.  Everyone else in that class is most likely a first-time parent as well and has the SAME questions.  

• This isn’t high school math where one example can go up on the board and it’s the solution for every problem.
• Or where there are the super smart kids that just know everything already and you feel like the dumb one that can’t keep things straight most of the time.

EVERYONE there is learning something new and you asking your questions will help them just as much as you.

Ear Plugs

You may think this one doesn’t make sense because you want to be listening to the instructor right?  Well, I mean these can be for when:

• You’re just focusing on your breathing or relaxation techniques.  You’ll still be able to hear the talking most of the time.
• But it may also drown out the other people in the room trying to get comfortable too.
• Or the miscellaneous noises that can drive you bonkers when you’re trying to envision your most relaxing place (mine’s a ticking clock, can’t stand it).

If you don’t hear your instructor moving onto another topic,

• your husband can easily squeeze your hand
• or tap your arm to signal that the class is moving on.

You likely will have ear plugs in the hospital anyway, if that’s what will help you relax more fully.

For me, most of these are an absolutely must.  But optionally the yoga mat and ear plugs would likely be at the bottom in priority.  But it’s up to you.  Bring everything and if you find you’re not going to need something, forget it next time–lighten the load.

What You Don’t Need

I don’t think many of you would bring something unnecessarily.  But some things you think would be helpful actually aren’t really helpful at all.

Workout Shoes

Yes, you’re going to be moving around, but not so much on your feet.  Remember, you’re going to be simulating what you’re doing during labor, and you don’t need any shoes at all for this.

Have you ever heard of a mama keeping their running shoes on during labor?  Maybe beforehand in the early stages of walking around as much as possible.  But the relaxing and changing resting positions is all about comfort.  Your socks or even bare feet will do just fine.

Birthing Ball

The instructor may have a few on hand, even a peanut ball for you to try out.  But there’s not much practicing or technique-related teaching that will go on with one.  It will likely be mentioned and suggested for you to use, but physically handling one during class is unlikely.

Massage Items

Your labor goody bag will likely contain things to help you relax, such as hand massagers.  But those are more for your husband to handle while you’re laying there during labor.  It’s a focus for him, not you.

I think having something rubbing across your back or legs can actually be MORE distracting than helpful when you’re starting to figure out what is going to work for you as you work through techniques.

Hopefully, you will enjoy your childbirth class, learn tons of valuable information, that your instructor is very people oriented, and there’s no one else in the class that drives you crazy.

But please know that not every type of course you take will fit exactly with your needs or preferences about your birth.  There are a number of different options out there with varying philosophies.  So I encourage you to explore a few different ones.

You may even prefer one online that you can discover at your own pace.

Here Are My Two Highly Recommended Birthing Courses

If you don’t enjoy one, please try another to help ensure that your desire for a natural baby birth reaches fruition.

What have you taken to your childbirth class?

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