Waterbirth Packing List
Packing for a water labor looks a little different than preparing for a traditional hospital bed delivery. To help you prepare for a calm and fully supported experience, here is a practical, no-nonsense checklist of exactly what to pack for your waterbirth.
This checklist is waterbirth-specific.
NOTE! This checklist is to be used WITH our other checklists:
Best Snacks To Pack For Your Hospital Birth
What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
To help you prepare for a seamless and serene experience, we’ve put together a comprehensive checklist of water birth must-haves.
1. What to Wear
A Swim Top or Sports Bra: Many laboring parents choose to birth naked, which is perfectly normal! However, if you want your photography gallery to be easily shareable with extended family (PG-13), a comfortable sports bra, bikini top, or stretchy tank is ideal. You’ll still get all the benefits of immediate skin-to-skin contact.
A Soft Kimono or Robe: Skip the stiff, uncomfortable hospital gowns once you transition out of the water. Pack a wide-sleeved, jersey-knit kimono in a neutral, earthy tone. It’s incredibly comfortable, provides easy access for nursing, and looks beautiful in your first family portraits.
2. Crucial Must-Haves
A Powerful Rechargeable Fan: Labor comes with intense temperature fluctuations, and the water in the birthing pool is intentionally kept very warm. A high-quality, battery-operated mini fan aimed directly at your face provides instant, much-needed relief, especially during transition.
A Labor Comb: A simple comb squeezed in the palm of your hand acts as a powerful acupressure tool, helping to distract the brain from contractions. It’s fully waterproof and easy to grip even while submerged.
A Small Aquarium Net: It might sound strange, but a small fish net allows your partner or doula to quickly and discreetly scoop out any tissue or debris from the tub, keeping the water clean and comfortable for you.
Proof of Certification: Many hospitals mandate that parents complete a specific water birth course before they are permitted to use the tubs. Don't rely on the hospital having this on file! Print out a physical copy of your completion certificate and keep it in your bag.
3. Partner Essentials
Dark, Solid Swimwear: If your partner is joining you in the birth pool, they need clothes that can get wet. Have them stick to dark, solid swimming trunks. Dark colors hide wetness, and solids prevent distracting patterns from pulling focus away from the raw emotion in your photos.
A Dedicated Beach Towel: Labor and delivery units (and birth centers) will use up almost all the available towels for the birthing parent and the new baby. Bring a large beach towel specifically for your partner to dry off with.
A Non-Slip Kneeling Pad: If your partner plans to support you from the edge of the tub rather than getting in, the hard floor will quickly take a toll on their knees. A thick kneeling pad is a game-changer—and you can reuse it later at home when bathing your newborn.
4. Setting the Scene
Herbal Bath Mix: This is a major insider tip for birth photography! Birthing pools can naturally turn red after delivery. Adding an herbal bath mix can turn the water a lovely, earthy brown, allowing your final images to be delivered in stunning color rather than having to be converted to black and white. (Always check with your medical care provider before adding anything to the water.)
Pool Lights: Laboring in a dimly lit room is wonderful for relaxation, but submersible pool lights add a beautiful, calming glow to the water while providing just enough illumination for your birth team and photographer.
5. The "Two-Bag" System
Birth spaces can get cluttered very quickly, which can distract from a calming environment. To keep your room spacious, pack two separate bags: You can read about the system here
A “Labor Day” Bag (with your tub supplies, fan, and immediate needs)
A “Hospital Stay” Bag (with your postpartum clothes and overnight items)
If you are at a hospital, leave the recovery bag in the car until you move to your postpartum room. If you're at a birth center, it's easy enough for your partner to step out to the car and grab it once the baby has arrived.
Grocery Bags: Don't forget to toss a few plastic grocery bags into your labor bag! Once the baby is here and it's time to transfer to the bed or shower, you will need a water-tight way to transport your partner's wet swimming trunks and the damp beach towel back home.
Preparing for your waterbirth in Atlanta doesn't have to be overwhelming. Having the right tools and the right support team in place allows you to fully embrace the experience and focus on meeting your baby. If you are planning a delivery and looking for an Atlanta birth photographer or doula to document your journey, we would love to connect. From supporting your labor to capturing those peaceful, dimly lit waterbirth moments, our goal is to help you feel empowered and beautifully documented. Contact us today to check availability for your due date, and let's start planning how to tell the story of your baby's birth!