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Third Trimester

Packing for Your Birth Experience

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Elaine Zwelling
By Elaine Zwelling R.N., Ph.D., L.C.C.E., F.A.C.C.E.
Meet our authors
Elaine Zwelling, R.N., Ph.D., has been involved in maternal-newborn health care for 40 years. She has a bachelor's degree in nursing from Capital University and a master's degree in nursing and a Ph.D. in Family Relations and Human Development from Ohio State University. Dr. Zwelling brings to the Pampers Parenting Network her experience of helping expectant parents enjoy their pregnancy, plan and create a positive birth experience, and learn about parenting their newborn baby. She is certified by Lamaze International as a childbirth educator, is a Fellow in the American College of Childbirth Educators, and has taught childbirth classes for 25 years. Dr. Zwelling was the director and faculty for the Lamaze International Childbirth Educator Certification Program of Florida; in that role she prepared many nurses to become childbirth educators.

Dr. Zwelling was a Professor of Maternal-Newborn Nursing for 23 years at both Capital University and Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. At these institutions she taught undergraduate and graduate students and conducted research. For eight years she was a Senior Consultant with Phillips &; Fenwick, a women's health consulting firm in Santa Cruz, California, specializing in helping hospitals implement family-centered maternity care. Currently Dr. Zwelling is a Perinatal Nurse Consultant with the Hill-Rom Company. In this position, she provides comprehensive support and consultation to hospital maternity units to create quality care environments equipped with the appropriate equipment for labor and birth and provides clinical education for nursing staff.

Dr. Zwelling is the co-author of a maternal-newborn nursing textbook, Maternal-Newborn Nursing: Theory and Practice, and has published many professional journal articles related to maternal-newborn health care, family-centered maternity care, and childbirth education. Dr. Zwelling is a recognized speaker at professional conferences and teaches continuing education seminars for childbirth educators and perinatal nurses throughout the country.

Dr. Zwelling resides in Sarasota, Florida, and has a grown son, lovely daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.
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As the "birth day" of your baby approaches, it's a good idea to pack items to take to the hospital that will make the experience easier, more comfortable, and more meaningful. These items should be ready to go about two weeks before your due date. Here are a few suggestions:

  For Mom

  For Partner

  To Make Birth a Celebration

  For Baby



For Mom

  • Two bed pillows with favorite cases
  • Lotion or massage oil
  • Warm socks
  • Toothpaste and mouthwash
  • Lollipops for dry mouth
  • Chapstick or lip gloss
  • Paper fan
  • Soothing picture for focal point
  • Wooden back massager
  • Nightgown(s) that opens in the front for nursing
  • Robe and slippers
  • Shawl or sweater to put over hospital gown for nursing
  • Panties and nursing bras
  • Comfortable clothes to wear home
  • Toiletries and cosmetics

    For Partner

  • Insurance information
  • Snacks for labor
  • Phone numbers and change or a phone card or cell phone
  • Reference handouts from childbirth class
  • Change of clothing
  • Toiletries

    To Make Birth a Celebration

  • Potpourri to scent the room
  • Music tapes / CDs for labor, birth, and nursing the baby; tape / CD player
  • Camera and film for birth / baby photos

    For Baby

  • Going home clothes, including a hat, and blanket
  • Car seat already installed in the back seat of the car

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