Hospital Bag Must-Haves + What to Eat (and Avoid!) During Labor

Hospital Bag Must-Haves + What to Eat (and Avoid!) During Labor

Author: Liesel Teen June 18, 2025 Duration: 34:51

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, we're talking all about what to pack (and not pack!) in your hospital bag for birth – plus we're covering snacks and eating during labor too 🍿

Let me tell you, for my first birth? Total slacker. I didn't get serious about packing my bag until wayyy late in the game – and it could've backfired big time. For baby #2? Totally prepared!

In this episode, I'm breaking it all down:

  • What to pack in four separate bags: labor, recovery, partner, and baby

  • What to leave at home (because clutter = chaos)

  • My go-to list of snacks for labor and what to know about eating during labor

Trust me, being prepared is a major stress reducer – and I've got you covered with the ultimate hospital bag prep episode!


🎁 Grab Your FREE Hospital Bag Checklist!

This free printable checklist was made by a practicing L&D nurse (hey, it's me 👋) and it'll help you feel 10,000% more confident walking into the hospital.

➡️ Download the Hospital Bag Checklist now


💻 Want to Feel Really Ready for Birth?

Hospital bag packed? Check. Now let's prep your mind for labor too. My online birth classes are here to help you feel calm, informed, and in control – no matter how you deliver.

🎉 Click here to explore MLN Birth Classes


🧪 Try This Essential Oil Labor Blend

This soothing blend is a fan favorite for labor:

  • 2 drops Ylang Ylang

  • 7 drops Clary Sage

  • 3 drops Lavender

  • 3 drops Frankincense

Add to a glass bottle and top off with your favorite carrier oil 💧


💛 Don't forget to follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram for daily tips, education, and relatable mom content – we're a community of 650k+ strong!


Liesel Teen, a labor and delivery nurse, hosts Mommy Labor Nurse as a space for honest conversations about pregnancy and birth. Each episode is built on the idea that knowledge can transform fear into confidence for expecting parents. You’ll find a mix of practical, evidence-based discussions on common pregnancy topics, along with interviews featuring a range of birth professionals who share their insights. Perhaps most powerfully, the podcast includes personal birth stories that capture the vast spectrum of real-life experiences, from straightforward deliveries to more complex situations. It’s a resource designed to inform and empower, offering perspectives that help listeners prepare for their own journeys. Remember, the content here is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice from your own care provider. Join Liesel for these weekly conversations that aim to support you through one of life’s most significant transitions.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Mommy Labor Nurse
Podcast Episodes
Pumping Tips from an Exclusive Pumper and CLC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:30
In this episode, I chatted with my friend Kristen Krahl who is an experienced pumping mama, certified lactation consultant, and the face behind the amazing platform Be My Breast Friend! Inside of today's episode, Kristen…
Gestational Diabetes Deep Dive with RD Leslee Flannery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:09
In this episode, I chatted with Leslee, a dietician who specializes in counseling mamas who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Want to eliminate stress before birth? Get your FREE 3rd Trimester Prep Pack to k…
Twin Mamas Share Their Eerily Similar Birth Stories [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:52
Sierra and Hailey are identical twin sisters who had their first babies born within one week of each other. And you guys, hold on to your hats. These stories are WILD. I don't want to spoil the episode, but let's just sa…
Tearing During Birth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:03
In this podcast, I'm going to go over the ins and outs of tearing, all the different types of ways to tear, how to prevent tearing if there is such a thing, how to care for a perineal tear if it does wind up happening to…
Transforming Toddlerhood: Adding a Baby to Your Family [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:18
This week on the podcast we are talking all things TODDLERS! I know a lot of you guys that listen to the podcast each week are veteran moms, who might have toddlers at home. One topic that is brought up, again and again,…
Addie's Story: Birth After Infant Death Part 2 of 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:08
This week on the podcast we have part 2 of Addie's story featuring birth after still birth. If you missed last week, she shared all about her pregnancy and emergency C-section with her first daughter, Sophie, who died sh…
Addie's Story: Birth After Infant Death Part 1 of 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:56
This is part 1 of Addie's 2 party birth story. Addie had an emergency C-section with her first daughter, Sophie, who unfortunately did not survive. Addie goes into detail about the events leading up to that day, and what…
Black Maternal Morbidity + Self Advocacy in Pregnancy and Birth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:59
In this episode I share actionable ways that you can educate and advocate for yourself throughout pregnancy and birth and shed some light on the tragic black maternal death rates in the US – because it NEEDS attention! O…
Pregnancy and Birth Trivia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:38
This week on the podcast I have a short and fun episode for you guys featuring my sister, Jenna! I wanted to keep it light-hearted this time because we've had quite a few longer educational episodes lately. I quizzed her…