Favorites
The items below are some favorite products for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum,
many recommended by my past clients.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with where to start preparing for baby, let these items be a guide!
Note that I may receive a small portion of revenue from some of the following links at no cost to you. This revenue helps to cover the costs of my site and, more importantly, provide doula support to those who cannot otherwise afford it.
Pregnancy
The Birth Partner
My absolute all-time favorite book for any birth support person. This is required reading for many doulas and I love seeing partners read it too.
Available to borrow from my lending library.
Preggie Pop Drops + B6
Preggie Pops are a pregnancy standard and this version includes B6 for added nausea support.
Ginger chews are a great alternative!
PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow
A pregnancy pillow can make such a difference for sleep quality. This one wraps all the way around.
Motherlove Pregnant Belly Salve
Moisture is the best friend of stretching skin. I like this salve because it's also got herbs and oil bases that help with skin elasticity.
Use code BALSAMPINE15 on any Motherlove order to save 15%!
Trideer Birth Ball (assorted sizes)
Trideer birth balls are what I personally use and what many hospitals use.
Whichever ball you buy, make sure that it’s burst-resistant (if compromised, it’ll leak slowly instead of pop and drop you on the floor). Also be sure to get a proper size for your height—your legs should form a 90° angle when you sit on it.
Growing You (pregnancy journal)
Pregnancy is almost always full of a ton of emotions. Journaling is a great way to get some of those feelings out of your mind and down on paper. This particular journal is non-secular and has prompts to get your mind flowing.
Mama Bar
These bars have 10-12g of protein and are formulated for pregnancy through postpartum—though they’re also great for anyone in any journey of life. They are free of gluten, dairy, soy, and GMO ingredients.
Mama Bars are from a small business out of Seattle, WA, and they offer a 20% coupon on their site.
Labor
Kindred Bravely Robe
The go-to robe for birth. Opens up in all necessary ways for hospital birth. Soft and cozy to keep you comfortable. A great way to keep a hospital birth from feeling overly medicalized and sterile.
Lila Labor Gown
These gowns are crazy soft and open in a unique way. The back is low for epidural access, each half of the chest snaps open and closed, and the stomach has access for monitoring, with ties to keep you from feeling completely exposed.
The Hydrant Water Bottle
Look, I know it looks silly, but having a straw nearby and not having to move your head to take a sip in labor is SO helpful.
Honey Sticks
Honey is such a great energy boost mid-labor *and* it meets the "clear liquids" rule that hospitals often enforce.
Dr. Scholl's Grippy Socks
Hospitals will give you basic grippy socks. These are a much softer, cozier version to keep in your bag.
Oontz Bluetooth Speaker
A bluetooth speaker is a great way to be sure you can get just the right vibes for your labor.
Frogg Toggs Cooling Rags
I looove these for labor. Washcloths lose their cool very quickly; these hold cooling temperatures for the entirety of transition and pushing.
Flameless Candles
These are the exact candles I keep in my doula bag. Dim lighting keeps those happy hormone levels high and puts you at ease.
Postpartum
Frida Mom Peri Bottle
Any peri bottle is a must for postpartum care after a vaginal birth. My clients like this one for its ease of use.
Frida Mom Instant Ice Pads
Padsicles are a recovery dream, and these absorbent pads are ready to go, no freezer necessary.
Dermoplast
The standard for instant pain relief after vaginal delivery. Use before and after those first several trips to the toilet for cooling relief.
Amazon Basics Mesh Underwear
You'll get some great mesh underwear at the hospital. These are great for once you're home. Comfort is the name of the game!
Motherlove C-section Cream
A gentle, naturally antibacterial cream to help with Cesarean scars. Use gently once cleared by your provider.
Use code BALSAMPINE15 on any Motherlove order to save 15%!
Colace Stool Softener
No matter how you delivered your baby, that first post-birth bathroom trip is daunting. Pregnancy hemorrhoids are no joke and the medicines often used in hospital births can stop you up. Water, fiber, and a gentle stool softener will be your friend.
Breast-/chestfeeding
Silverette Cups
Excellent non-medicinal method for healing cracked and sore nipples. Just wear in your bra over your nipples and be amazed at the relief. Serious little miracle workers.
Haakaa Silicone Manual Pump
Great for catching let-down on one breast while baby nurses on the other.
Also a handy tool for gentle nipple stimulation to help get labor going.
Haakaa Colostrum Catcher
A great reusable way to collect colostrum before baby gets here or is in the NICU/can't nurse right away.
These are tiny so be sure to keep the in a Ziploc bag in the hospital so they don’t get lost or tossed!
Earth Mama Milkmaid Tea
Great for upping milk supply, thanks to a blend of nine different organic herbs.
Motherlove Nipple Cream
My personal favorite nipple balm. Safe for pump lubrication and great on cuticles too. Lanolin-free!
Use code BALSAMPINE15 on any Motherlove order to save 15%!
My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow
Some people prefer the Boppy, but I like this one for its wrap-around belt and flat surface...and it has a pocket!
Available to check out in my lending library. There is also a Boppy available, so you can compare the two in person.
The First-Time Mom's Breastfeeding Handbook
A wonderful guide to lactation for first-time parents.
Available to borrow from my lending library.
Bravado Pumping Bra
This bra has gotten good reviews from my clients thanks to its size availability and ease of pumping while wearing.
Business and Doula Life
Honeybook
My favorite client management system, hands down. Keeps contracts, invoices, payments, files, and emails all together in one place, organized by client. The automation options are really helpful too!
This referral link gives you a discount on any plan.
Be Her Village
Be Her Village is a registry site for parents-to-be to register for the what they truly need: support. As birthworkers, we can join BHV and add our services so clients can register for our support. It's an awesome way to ensure that support lands in the lives of those who need it most. Check out my blog post on ways to register for support.
This referral link saves you 20% off any partner plan.
QuickBooks (Self Employed)
This has made it so easy to keep track of mileage, categorize expenses automatically, and file business taxes. I’ve been super happy with QB for the past 2+ years.
This referral link gives you 50% off your first year.
Owala Freesip Water Bottles
You already know how important it is to stay hydrated during a birth. My Owala bottle is my very favorite because I can drink out of it tipped up like a glass, or held straight down like with a straw. The lid is super secure, it keeps everything chilled for hours, and it's aluminum, so no weird plastics leaching out. I'm obsessed with this bottle, y'all.