Hospitals and Providers
Meriter Hospital
St. Mary’s Hospital
Ginko Tree Counseling
Services include Stress and Trauma Healing, and Perinatal Health and Support for Parents
Recommended Reading
The included books are recommended by Align for pregnancy and labor preparation, postpartum care, and caring for infants and children. Please consult your care provider before making any decisions that may affect your health.
The First Forty Days
This is a great gift for expecting parents, reminding them to slow down and enjoy the special period of time after bringing baby home. Modern society praises women who “bounce back” after giving birth, and this book is a lovely reminder to slow down and enjoy baby, while healing and growing physically and emotionally.
Expecting Better
If you or someone you know is frustrated by contradicting advice and unexplained guidelines in pregnancy, then this is a great read for you. The author, Emily Oster, is an economist who reviewed the data and research behind common rules of pregnancy and childbirth, and uncovered inconsistencies, errors, and flat-out mistakes. This book will explain where these “rules” originated, and whether they hold any real weight in our modern world.
Ina May’s Guide To Childbirth
This incredible book will give any expecting parent the confidence to trust their body and instincts as they approach childbirth. The book includes stories, scientific studies, and observations from Ina May, an incredibly well-respected and experienced midwife (“the nation’s leading midwife”).
The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin
Are you looking for real, easy-to-follow information on how to support your loved one through labor and delivery? This is a great guide for Dads, Partners, Doulas, and Labor Companions. The book is broken down into sections to make reference a breeze. A favorite section is “Comfort Measures for Labor” which includes drawings and descriptions of various laboring positions and which labor stage they are most useful for.
The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy by Kimberly Seals-Allers
We're also so happy to see more inclusive literature for people of Color, the LGBTQ+ community, and non-traditional families. The Mocha Manual is a "straight-talking handbook to pregnancy with contributions by doctors and personal stories from black women and celebrity moms." If you're looking for some pregnancy and labor reading that goes beyond the traditional, this might be a great fit for you!
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International
If breastfeeding is one of your goals, then you need to familiarize yourself with La Leche League! They have support groups, Facebook groups, and this fantastic manual to get you off to a good start! Our postpartum doulas and lactation counselors love to use this book as a resource.
Like a Mother by Angela Garbes
This is a great book for families who are looking for research-based answers to all of the trickiest pregnancy questions. It’s presented in a fun, easy-to-read way that will make you feel like an informed badass upon completion. Get ready to debunk some pregnancy myths!
“Like most first-time mothers, Angela Garbes was filled with questions when she became pregnant. What exactly is a placenta? How does a body go into labor? Why is breast best? What are the signs and effects of postpartum depression?
But as she discovered, it’s not easy to find satisfying answers. Your OB will cautiously quote statistics; online sources will scare you with conflicting and often inaccurate information; and even the most trusted books will offer information with a heavy dose of judgment. To educate herself, the food and culture writer embarked on an intensive journey of exploration, diving into the scientific mysteries and cultural myths that surround motherhood to find answers to her questions that had only previously been given through a lens of what women ought to do - instead of allowing them the freedom to choose the right path themselves.”
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Parent
Must-Haves
Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump
This suction pump has proven to be a life saver for parents who have a strong let-down and want to collect that milk! Our postpartum doulas recommend this product which allows parents to collect small quantities of milk throughout the day without ever hooking up to a breast pump! It’s easy to use and easy to clean.
Kindred Bravely Universal Labor and Delivery Gown
This item is certainly not something that every person will need in their bag - if you’re delivering at a hospital, they will have gowns and robes available to you throughout your stay. If, however, you are sensitive to materials & odors, or you feel anxious in a medical environment, this L & D gown could be a game-changer for you. Wash it in your own laundry detergent and be prepared to feel comfy and cozy throughout your labor. This gown will also become a perfect nursing nightgown once you bring baby home. An added bonus will be how adorable you look in your photos!
32 Oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Nursing parents need a LOT of water! Bottles with straws make it easy for them to stay hydrated one-handed, without the fear that baby’s kicking feet will result in an unexpected shower! This bottle comes in multiple sizes, and is the perfect addition to the feeding parent’s nursing station.
Kindred Bravely Emmaline Maternity and Nursing Robe
This soft and light robe is designed for use during pregnancy and beyond. Two sets of belt loops allow you to wear the robe over your growing belly, or at your natural waist postpartum. It’s a comfy layer to use during late-night nursing sessions, and the deep pockets allow you to carry necessities with you as you transition to the daytime. A great gift for expecting parents!
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Baby Must-Haves
These items are recommended by Align birth and postpartum doulas to help bring joy and peace to caregivers and their babies.
Magnetic Me
What a game changer - NO zipper, NO buttons! Our postpartum doulas rave about these adorable gowns that close with the ease of magnets! They are perfect for middle of the night diaper changes that are done in quiet whispers by the light of the moon.
Philips AVENT Soothie Snuggle Pacifier
Did you know that the AAP Safe Sleep Guidelines include pacifier use as a defense against SIDS? Research also shows that pacifier use is not associated with nipple confusion (as bottles are) and should not disrupt your breastfeeding journey (for those who are on one). These pacifiers are attached to an adorable stuffy, which helps keep the pacifier from falling out of reach when baby stops sucking. As baby grows, detach the pacifier and keep the lovey to make the transition easier. Make sure you check out all of the adorable animal options!
Fisher Price 4-in-1 Sling ‘n Seat Bath Tub
A great bathing option that grows with your baby! Use the mesh sling for newborns, convert to the “Sit-Me-Up” insert for unsteady sitters, and remove both to use as a toddler tub while keeping toys within reach! Using an infant tub to bathe your baby can save your back while keeping them safe and snug.
Hatch Rest+
When I prep for an overnight postpartum doula shift, this is the top item I bring along! It’s a sound machine and night light, and can do so much more as your little one grows (I love the “time-to-rise” function for my kids!). The adjustable brightness is awesome to provide enough light for diaper changes while waking the baby as little as possible.
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