1 in 160 pregnancies end in stillbirth, and while this is a guide no one wants to utilize, it represents months of community work, exploration, and experience, to give families the knowledge to navigate a stillbirth, and make best of the short time with their baby, without looking back saying “if only I knew…” (Photo of Amanda and Theo, by Melissa Helmick of The Photographic Storyteller)

Pack your hospital bag with a certified birth doula who has assisted with dozens of hospital births! This hospital bag essentials list is broken down into the bare necessities, the extras, as well as a list for the things you may want for an extended hospital stay due to a high-risk pregnancy or NICU admission.

Just because you are having a planned cesarean delivery, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be supported during your birth experience! Here are three ways you can prepare for an easier delivery and recovery.

Picking a medical care provider is one of the most important parts of planning an unmedicated, hospital birth. Hear from a doula who has had two unmedicated hospital births, as well as supported many across multiple different hospitals, as to what her top questions would be when interviewing a new obstetrician or midwife.