There's a lot of prep and joy that goes into having a baby. But what about mama?

This list is everything (and then some) that you may need for a vaginal birth.

***Click the bold words for the Amazon links.***

HEALING

•Frida bidet - You’ll use it every single time you go to the bathroom while you heal for 6 weeks. (It’s every bit as sexy as it looks.)

•Bath sitz - Do not get anything scented because it can cause infection.

•Tucks - Cooling relief when you’re sore down there (you’ll get some at the hospital as well)

•Depends for women - The truth is that there are two humans in your home who will need diapers! But only for a couple of weeks. One time use undies are also amazing!

•Cotton undies - Undies that go up over your stomach are very forgiving and more comfy. Yes please!

•Padsicles - Such a great name for cooling relief, right?!

•Perinium balm - Because hemorrhoids are exactly what you want down there while going through pregnancy and post-partum! This helps with discomfort and is cooling.

•Caddy - Get yourself a caddy to store and organize all your healing stuff next to the toilet. Worth every penny.

NURSING 

•Boppy/nursing pillow

•2 super soft bathrobes - You will get engorged for a few days (i.e. growing two full cup sizes overnight and having a rock hard chest). You will want SOFT! A bathrobe is easy, less painful, and accessible.

•Soothies - These are reusable ice packs/heat packs (they can be used for either). Cold helps soothe engorgement and overall soreness and heat is good for getting milk flowing. 

•Soft, loose t-shirts - Nursing hurts (initially) and you’ll want something soft to wear especially at the beginning. 

•Lanolin (nipple cream) - Grab the small sample bottles at the hospital and you won’t need to buy this!

•Brewers yeast - Instead of buying “lactation cookies” to help with your milk supply, add brewers yeast to a regular batch of cookie dough when you make cookies. Freeze them so they last, or add some brewers yeast to smoothies. This is not scientifically proven but is widely believed to help with milk production, along with oats.

•Milk bags - Great for pumping, mama. I highly recommend Spectra if you have the option. Milk lasts 6-12 months frozen or a few days in the fridge. 

•Nursing bra - I recommend getting one or two to start because your size might change (Kindred Bravely is worth the price once your size settles.) 

•Overnight nursing bras - Easy access for feedings, super comfy and just enough support for sleeping

•Nursing tops - It's a personal preference if you will use this but I have found it’s easier to have privacy with a quality nursing top. This is my favorite nursing sweatshirt.

•Nursing cover - I never used this much but always had one in the diaper bag. You never know when you might need to nurse unexpectedly.

Give yourself plenty of grace because nursing is HARD (why didn't anyone tell me that??!) and can be physically painful as you get the hang of it. If it doesn’t work, remember that a fed baby is all that matters!

Tidbits to share with my fellow mamas…

-Zipper pjs are easier for midnight changes (I was taught "No buttons at 3 a.m.!" YES!)

-Luvs diapers are thin. Just say no.

-Every body is different. Healing sometimes takes longer than 6 weeks. Listen to your body! 

-Take baths. A lot.

-If circumstances allow, consider offering your baby a cold bottle before warm ones. We gave our first baby a cold bottle at 6 weeks and she accepted a cold bottle from then on. (This of course does not apply to premie babies or newborns who will expect and need a warm bottle.)

-Poop stained clothes? Rinse that crap out and put it in the sun. It disappears like magic!

-While recovering (and maybe beyond), you will wet your pants sometimes when you sneeze, run, laugh, jump…just like in pregnancy…so keep panty liners handy. Do your kegels before AND after your baby is born. 

-If you are concerned about how pregnancy will impact your fitness, GlowBodyPT with Ashley Keller (YouTube workouts with minimal equipment) has been LIFE CHANGING for me. It has been the best investment I could have made in myself as a mother. Ashley has a free prenatal plan and her 12 Week Post Pregnancy Plan is about $130. It also comes with a cookbook of healthy, delicious meals. Her programs are HARD but will help you earn your goals. 

OK, MAMA! That's all I've got for you! You're going to rock this motherhood thing. I just know it! :)