I've failed in my duties as a big sister. My middle sister is in Houston giving birth to her first child right now, and I didn't give her any suggestions for what to bring in her birth bag. Now, I'm sure she's not checking my website while she's in Transition, but if you all could just humor me and let me try to make it up to her. Let me share, instead,  with everyone in the Stay At Home Mom Land.

• Emergen-C (add a good supply of bendy straws and water) to keep your electrolyte and mineral counts up
• Raw food bars, like Larabar.
  
• Grapes, apple slices.
• Naked Drinks. I'm partial to Green Machine.
  
• Apple sauce (individually packaged) and plastic spoons. The apple sauce digests easily, so it's good for the beginning of labor.
  
• Picture of kids - to remind me that I can do this. Build on past birthing success.
• Timer for contractions. I found a timer on the iPod that works great because it keeps track of everything you timed and you can easily see how far apart the contractions are.
  
• Change of clothes to go home (include nursing bra, breast pads, shirt, pants that loose on my belly, slip on shoes - so you don't have to bend over to tie laces).
• Toiletries.
• Clothes for baby (include onesie, socks, outfit, blanket).
• Diapers and wipes for baby. (I'm starting out with disposable diapers because the new one just goes so much. I think I'm going to change to cloth after a couple of months.)
• iPod with speaker dock. I created a playlist for my third child's birth, but didn't end up listening to it.
  
• Lavender and Jasmine essential oils and cotton balls. I like the aromatherapy for labor. Here's the book I learned about it from: Aromatherapy and Massage for Mother and Baby by Allison England.
  
• Chapstick
• Nursing gown and robe. I really like the Essential Cross Wrap Nursing Gown from Motherwear because I really miss wearing nightgowns to bed when I am nursing.
  
• Warm socks: Keen

So, Kristen, if you're out there reading this, I hope you already have lots of helpful things backed in your Birth Bag! Breathe, stay calm, and push! You can do it! I can't wait to see your baby!!

Any veterans out there have suggestions on what to bring for child birth? Share them with us!