These are some products and services that I love and recommend!

I am not an affiliate for any of these products, I have no financial gain in you purchasing them. Many of these are great to put on your baby registry!

Books

  • The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin

    • A great read for any birth partner! Full of insight and recommendations on how to support someone in labor! It has many helpful images and I can’t say enough good things about it!

  • Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

    • Very hippie-dippie, but it’s so insightful and dives into topics many other books don’t touch on. The first half is birth stories and the second half is more physiology.

  • The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by Le Leche League International

    • I call this the breastfeeding Bible because it’s so thorough and chock full of great information! Every time I open it I find helpful recommendations!

  • Real Food For Pregnancy by Lily Nichols

    • This is probably the best book on nutrition in pregnancy on the market. Very practical and it just makes sense.

Food and drinks

  • Coconut water (with a pinch of salt)

    • A simple and tasty way to get electrolytes!

  • Electrolyte beverages

    • Electrolytes are vital to many functions in the body including hormone and muscle function. They maintain essential balances of micronutrients including salt, which can lead to complications if out of balance. Electrolytes make the most of your fluid intake and are especially important in labor.

  • Protein balls

    • When I was a new mom, I was telling my doula how I felt like I was STARVING every morning, I would be tired and hangry from nursing a new baby all night. She recommended I make energy balls to have a quick and easy fuel for my body. I looked at recipes online and adapted them to work with what I liked and had on hand.

    • There are many great recipes for protein/energy balls, but here is the one that has been well loved by me and any moms I give them to! Adapt as needed.

  • NORA tea

    • NORA tea has Nettle, Oats, Raspberry leaf, and Alfalfa in it. This blend is frequently recommended as these herbs are full of micronutrients and benefit your blood and uterus in preparing for labor.

Comfort in pregnancy

  • Squatty potty

    • Constipation and hemorrhoids are common complaints in pregnancy and postpartum. This tool helps you get in a more physiological position to help you poop. Also great in labor to help your pelvic floor relax and open.

  • Exercise ball

    • Using an exercise ball to sit on and move your hips late in pregnancy and labor can help your baby’s position.

  • Yoga bolster

    • Great for exercise, stretches, and sitting on in pregnancy and labor.

  • Epsom salt

    • Great for increasing magnesium and relieving aches and swelling.

Tools for labor and birth

  • Exercise ball

    • Move those hips without getting exhausted in labor! This can be a good place to sit or to lean over in labor.

  • Hand-held electric fan

    • Labor is hot, sweaty work. A fan and cool rag can be a relief.

  • Light weight robe

    • Keeps you covered and provides easy access for listening to the baby in labor, also fabulous to keep you warm while snuggled skin-to-skin with your baby that first week postpartum. Staying in a robe can help remind you and the people around you that you need to take it easy, rest, and recover.

Tools and resources for postpartum