Practical guides on private vs. shared postpartum rooms, labor tubs vs. water birth, doula policies, and cord blood planning.
Most hospitals have private Labor & Delivery rooms, but some still move new mothers to shared postpartum rooms unless they pay for a private one. Here is how to find out before you deliver.
Read Guide →Many hospitals have tubs for labor, but fewer allow the baby to be born in the water. What to ask, and reviewed hospitals that offer each.
Read Guide →How to plan for private cord blood banking or public donation: when to order a kit, what to pack, and what to tell staff when you arrive.
Read Guide →Some hospitals let a doula come in addition to your visitors; others count the doula toward the limit. What to ask, and state Medicaid doula coverage.
Read Guide →Things worth sorting out in your third trimester. We don't collect your details; each link goes straight to the provider.
Most private health plans must cover a breast pump. Check which pump your plan covers and have it shipped before your due date.
Build one registry for everything, including your hospital bag items. Many registries add a welcome box or completion discount.
Battery LED candles, a labor gown, a clip-on fan, long phone cable. See our list of what you can bring to Labor & Delivery.
Some links are affiliate links. If you sign up or buy, BlushMom may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects hospital information. As an Amazon Associate, BlushMom earns from qualifying purchases.