Pregnancy, Labor and Postpartum Recommendations

Erica wholeheartedly recommends the products she has listed on this page. She used these items with our two current children and plans to use them again for any future pregnancies.

*See disclosures here.

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A few notes before we dig in:

– These are things that worked for Erica during her pregnancy, labor and postpartum experiences. You are unique, so what meets your needs may be very different. This list is simply meant to answer the question, “What items did you find to be helpful?“

– Although we are by no means “minimalists,” we do believe that less physical stuff can be a good thing (more financial flexibility, less time spent organizing and stewarding things, etc.). The items on this list have been paired down to display only what we found was truly needed/added value to our lives.

– Make sure to consult with a trusted health professional before starting any supplements, exercises, etc. We are not health professionals, and any information shared is for educational purposes only.

– Do not underestimate the amount of money you can save buying things secondhand! We have found many items for a discounted price though Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Amazon’s refurbished market, Nextdoor and Poshmark. Just be wise about what products you source secondhand (ex: you may not want to source un-washable fabric items, but used books and wooden toys may be just fine). Before using any secondhand items, we recommend running washable items through the wash at least once and thoroughly washing/sanitizing hard surface items.

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Books and Reading Material

• The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth by Genevieve Howland This is one of the first things Erica likes to give to expecting mamas. Genevieve does an excellent job breaking down everything into easy-to-digest chunks of information and simple weekly recommendations. Bonus points for the information and recommendations coming from a eco-friendly-minded mama! If there is only one thing you buy from this list, do yourself a favor and get this book!
• Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize This book is overall a wonderful resource for building your trust in God and His design of your body during pregnancy, labor and birth. It cuts through what culture and media tells us and shows you straight from the Bible what promises God has made to YOU and what you can claim as you pray for and prepare for the arrival of your little one.
• Sweet Sleep: Nighttime and Naptime Strategies for the Breastfeeding Family We recommend all parents or soon-to-be parents read this book before purchasing any resting or sleeping items for baby. We found it to be a truly helpful resource that cuts through all the marketing and cultural practices that oftentimes run counter to God’s design in breastfeeding and sleep. Of course, each family will have to decide what will work best for their particular situation, but it is so helpful to see what is normal vs what is common. From there, you can consider which items will add value to your life.
• The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: Completely Revised and Updated 8th Edition Get answers to all your breastfeeding questions and see how mothers around the world (including working mothers, stay-at-home moms, single moms, and mothers of multiples) make it work! This book includes nursing advice, stories, and information that will prove to be an invaluable resource for educating and empowering you in this natural art. 

Bathroom and Personal Care

• Shower mirror – Though not necessary or non-toxic, Erica has included this suction cup mirror in her recommendations, as it was helpful during those last few months for seeing anything below the belly.
• Stretch and scar prevention bar – This “bar” (applies like deodorant) by Poofy Organics.
• Perennial care – This herbal spray by Earth Mama.
• Prenatal vitamin – Mama Natural has an excellent USDA-certified organic, once-daily, single pill option that came out around Erica’s second pregnancy. It is food-based and contains folate instead of synthetic folic acid. The price point is also excellent!

Tip #1: Do butterfly stretches while you brush your teeth each night. Those two minutes done over the course of your pregnancy really help to gently stretch the muscles you will use during labor and birth!

Tip #2: If you have baby gates around your house, take advantage of them! Each time you go past, try to step over them rather than open them. Keeping those joints fluid and muscles and ligaments flexible can really help when labor comes.

Tip #3: Have you ever heard of the Webster technique?  It is “a gentle chiropractic adjustment that aligns the pelvis and includes a soft tissue release of associated muscle groups” (source). Erica began seeing a chiropractor who is certified in this technique around the half-way mark of her first pregnancy up until and following the birth. She attributes some of the ease in pregnancy and a relatively quick and low-pain labor to these chiropractic visits. You can learn more about the Webster technique here and find locally certified practitioners here.

Sleep

• Body pillow – Body pillow with kapok filling from BeanProductsInc.

Maternity Clothing

Affordable, eco-friendly fabrics that are suitable for pregnancy/postpartum can be challenging to find. Thankfully Erica has come across a few closet staples that have fit the bill. The remaining items she lists have been somewhat of a compromise. They are made from less eco-friendly fabrics (ex: highly processed plant materials and/or a larger percentage of synthetic fabrics), but they were affordable and made life so much easier. Choose your “battles!”

• Organic cotton maternity/nursing camis from Kindred Bravely
• Organic cotton bras from Bravado Designs (their Original Nursing Bra from Kohl’s is the one made with a % of organic cotton and has a sports bra-type feel) or Pact (bralette style)
• Organic cotton maternity leggings (or purchase a size up in regular leggings if you prefer an under-the-belly fit) from Pact (this link will give first time customers a 20% off discount on full price items)
• Organic cotton underwear from Pact (same link as before)
• 100% cotton t-shirts for sleepwear, similar to these
• Maternity/nursing dresses from Latched Mama (While Erica does does not recommend their shirts due to pilling and stretching of fabric, their dresses are awesome–super flattering, comfortable, and functional. Plus, it has been easy to find this brand secondhand on Poshmark, where you then have access to a wider selection of patterns and styles from previous years.)
• Maternity shirts from Target, Motherhood Maternity and Gap
• Maternity pants and jeans from Target

Labor

• Affirmations
• Recalling promises of God from the scriptures, such as:

Mark 11:23,24:
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Romans 4:20,21:
He [Abraham] staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith [believing], giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

I John 5:4,5,13-15:
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith [believing]. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Deuteronomy 31:6,8:
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

II Timothy 1:7:
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

II Corinthians 9:8:
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

Proverbs 3:1,2:
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Proverbs 3:5,6:
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Isaiah 26:3:
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee

Philippians 4:13 [AMPC):
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

Postpartum

• Postpartum pads and underwear– Natracare has organic cotton options and is the cleanest brand Erica has found. (Avoid “period” underwear, as the chemicals and materials used to make the garments reusable are not ideal, especially for being in constant contact with such sensitive areas of the body.)
• For afterbirth contractions – Erica purchased WishGarden’s AfterEase, however she did has not needed to use it for either of her two pregnancies and therefore cannot speak to its effectiveness.
• Pain management – Erica has not needed anything for either postpartum period, so she cannot speak from experience, but both of these companies have products she would consider using: Boiron and Genexa. **Remember to always consult with your trusted medical professional before taking any supplements or medications, especially while pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Nipple cream – Happy Boobies Nipple Cream from Poofy Organics.
• Nursing pads – Erica’s original sets were purchased from a small shop through Etsy and are no longer sold, but a quick search for “100% organic cotton nursing pads” should provide lots of current options.

Local Resource Recommendations

• Professional care – Midwives at WomanCare
• Birth center – Tree of Life Birth Center
• Doula – Joy Bear
• Lactation consultant – Ashley Benz
• Pediatrician – Future Hope Pediatrics