You already know what to bring with you in your suitcase.  You have packed a suitcase before and you know to bring night clothes and toiletries.

But that Goodie Bag ~ what are the elements that should be included?  What will really help you during labor?  What can't you bring to the hospital?

Your Labor Goodie Bag

• A reference book from childbirth class, such as The Family Way

• Water or sports drinks for the laboring mother.
  
• Carbohydrate-based snacks for laboring mother too as these will digest quickly and give her the energy she needs.
  
• Snacks for the husband/partner.  Eating from a vending machine will not sustain them for labor.
  
• Clothes for labor: sports bra, oversized shirt, bikini top.
  
• Unflavored lip gloss or balm (sweet tends to make mom nauseated)
  
• Sour candy on a stick to avoid choking hazards.  Sour candy causes the saliva to be created.
  
• Pillows from home with colorful pillow cases.
  

• A birth ball - especially if the birth facility does not have one for each laboring woman.

• A yoga mat - in case the laboring mother wants to get on the floor to do some stretching or the pelvic rock for changing the position of the baby.

• Music for labor: check with your birth facility to see if they have CD players or think about taking an MP3 player.
  
• Non-flame aromatherapy such as Glade Light Show or the new Glade Flameless Candle.  Candles cannot be used as there is oxygen in labor/birthing rooms.  Flames plus oxygen usually cause explosions.
  
• Camera with film and batteries or video-recorder with charged batteries and accessories. (you may be unsure here, but if you never have photos or a video of the birth, you will NEVER have them.  If you take photos or videos, at least you have them - you never have to look at them but they are there in case you do want to view them someday). 
  
• Massage tools (Oils, massagers, etc.)
  

• Rice pack ~ this is a great way to apply heat to a sore or aching area.  Place 3 cups of regular uncooked rice in a man's white clean tube sock.  Tie a knot in the top of the sock.  Heat in the microwave until it reaches the warmth that she desires.

• Change of clothes for partner, especially if you are planning to labor in water or give birth in the water. 

• Focal Point ~ if you are practicing Lamaze-type breathing and relaxation techniques.  Some people use photos, stuffed animals or even their partners' face.

• Socks for mom ~ if she gets cold feet.  Often as the baby progresses down through the birth canal, the circulation is lessened to the lower part of the body, thus causing chilly feet.
  
• Cell phone ~ check with your birth facility to see if the use of cell phones will interfere with any monitoring devices used.