"The Bag" -What To Pack

-*Pregnancy medical papers *

-*Two - hot water bottles (any drug store)*

*-Money, including small change for food/drink machines in middle of night *

*-Red Raspberry Leaves (for tea)*

-White grape juice (as in real grape juice) - one bottle.

-Snacks for husband, and whomever else is accompanying you (like chewy
granola bars, or sandwiches easy to make). (Note: You don't have to
bring for the doula – she's responsible for her own;)
-Snacks for YOU- grapes or other non-citrus fruits, crackers (preferably
whole grain, yet easy-to-digest), and a few juice bottles or juice boxes
with straws*
-Bottled water - 3 bottles
-Four - bath towels (some don't provide)

-Plastic Trash Bags for Wet Towels
-Shower shoes/Crocs
-A pillow
-Plastic cups
-Straws
-Hair covers/hairbands which are very comfortable
-Comfortable nightgown with wide sleeves, that you like, and yet you
don't mind throwing out after the birth (Bazarre Strauss - 30 NIS).
Otherwise you can wear the hospital's garments.
chapstick
disposable undies
large sanitary napkins-some hospitals only have small ones
a wash cloth to use as a compress
-Tehillim, siddur, or other sefarim.
-IPOD with speakers, with Hypnobirthing mantras/other music
-Warm socks for after birth
-Almond oil, unopened (any drug store). Midwives use this for birthing
stage.

And anything else in particular that will make you feel most comfortable.

* One very effective trick is to have the mother take along a zippy bag
of "labor cubes" to the hospital, storing them in her room fridge.
"Labor Cubes" are ice cubes made out of very strong raspberry leaf tea
(perhaps one cup herb to one quart water, simmered down to half and
strained) that is heavily sweetened with honey. If the laboring mother
begins to fade, energy petering out or contractions waning due to lack
of nutrition, she can chomp on these satisfying slushy cubes, which
usually will perk her up and kick in some great contractions in a matter
of minutes.
— *Beth Barbeau*
Excerpted from "Tricks of the Trade: Liquids Only," Midwifery Today,
Issue 81

Take as small a bag as possible because you might end up carrying it around with you.