FREE Hospital Bag Checklist (Nurse Approved) → Download Here

What Every L&D Nurse Wishes Moms Knew Before Labor: 5 Tips to Feel Prepared and Confident

An L&D nurse shares 5 things every mom should know before labor, including hospital bag tips, postpartum essentials, labor snacks, birth plans, and more.

7/5/20264 min read

What Every L&D Nurse Wishes Moms Knew Before Labor

After working as a Labor & Delivery nurse for over 11 years—and giving birth to two babies myself—I’ve seen thousands of labor stories unfold. Every labor is unique, but there are a few things I wish every expecting mom knew before walking through the hospital doors.

The good news? Most of them have nothing to do with having the “perfect” birth.

Instead, they’re about feeling prepared, reducing stress, and knowing what to expect so you can make informed decisions during one of the biggest days of your life.

Here are the five things I wish every mom knew before labor.

1. Have Your Hospital Bag Packed by 36 Weeks

One of the biggest mistakes I see is waiting until labor starts to pack.

While many pregnancies go to 39 or 40 weeks, babies don’t always follow the schedule.

My own water broke unexpectedly at 35 weeks with my second baby, and I was incredibly thankful I had prepared ahead of time.

Having your bag packed around 36 weeks gives you peace of mind. Instead of scrambling to find phone chargers, nursing bras, or baby clothes between contractions, you can focus on getting safely to the hospital.

Some of my favorite hospital bag essentials include:

Comfortable labor gown

Long phone charger

Nursing bra

Going-home outfit

Toiletries

Baby outfit

Pillow

Portable fan

Sound machine

👉 Grab my complete Amazon Hospital Bag Packing List here.

2. Set Up Your Postpartum Recovery Station Before Baby Arrives

One thing moms often focus on is getting ready for labor—but many forget to prepare for what happens after birth.

Trust me—you’ll appreciate having everything ready when you walk through your front door with your newborn.

The hospital will provide many postpartum recovery supplies while you’re admitted, including:

Peri bottle

Mesh underwear

Large postpartum pads

Ice packs

Witch hazel pads

But once you get home, you’ll want your own supplies ready.

I recommend setting up a small postpartum recovery basket in your bathroom before your due date.

Some of my favorites include:

Peri bottle

Disposable postpartum underwear

Witch hazel wipes

Perineal ice packs

Sitz bath supplies

Stool softener

Nursing pads

Large water bottle

👉 Shop my favorite postpartum recovery essentials on Amazon here.

Having these ready before labor means one less thing to worry about while you’re adjusting to life with your newborn.

3. Labor Usually Takes Longer Than You Expect

Movies and social media often make labor look like it happens in an hour. In reality, especially for first-time moms, labor can take many hours—and sometimes even longer.

One of the biggest pieces of advice I give as an L&D nurse is to save your energy during early labor. Think of labor as a marathon, not a sprint.

If your provider says it’s safe, try to:

Eat nourishing foods.

Stay hydrated.

Rest as much as possible.

Walk and change positions.

Avoid exhausting yourself too early.

I also recommend packing a few easy snacks in your hospital bag for your support person—and for yourself if your provider allows you to eat during early labor. Having familiar snacks on hand can make a long labor much more comfortable.

Some of my favorite labor-friendly snacks from Amazon include:

Electrolyte drink packets

Honey Stinger energy chews

Protein bars

Applesauce pouches

Trail mix

Crackers

Beef jerky

👉 Shop my favorite labor and hospital snacks on my Amazon Storefront here.

The more energy you can preserve early on, the more you’ll have when it’s time to push.

4. Never Be Afraid to Ask Questions

One thing I wish every mom knew is that it’s okay to ask questions before agreeing to any intervention.

Whether your provider recommends an induction, breaking your water, Pitocin, an internal monitor, or even a C-section, you deserve to understand the reason behind the recommendation.

Some of my favorite questions to ask include:

Why are you recommending this?

What are the benefits?

What are the risks?

Are there any alternatives?

Is it safe to wait a little longer?

What happens if I decide not to do this right now?

Asking questions doesn’t make you a “difficult patient.” It makes you an informed one.

That’s exactly why I created my Birth Prep Bundle. It includes my nurse-approved:

Induction Question Guide

C-Section Question Guide

Birth Plan Template

These are the exact questions I believe every expecting mom should have before labor begins so she can walk into the hospital feeling informed and confident.

👉 Grab my Birth Prep Bundle here.

5. Your Birth Plan Is a Guide—Not a Test

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that a birth plan guarantees a certain birth experience.

The truth is that birth is unpredictable.

Sometimes labor progresses quickly. Sometimes it takes longer than expected. Occasionally, medical circumstances change, and your care team may recommend a different plan than you originally envisioned.

That doesn’t mean your birth plan failed.

A birth plan isn’t about controlling every detail—it’s about communicating your preferences with your healthcare team while remaining flexible if circumstances change.

Whether it’s delayed cord clamping, immediate skin-to-skin, intermittent monitoring, pain management preferences, or newborn procedures, having your wishes written down helps your team understand what’s important to you.

To make this easier, I created a Birth Plan Template that’s realistic, easy to use, and based on what actually works in a Labor & Delivery unit. It helps you think through your options and start meaningful conversations with your provider before labor begins.

👉 Download my Birth Plan Template here.

Remember, the ultimate goal isn’t a “perfect” birth. It’s a healthy mom, a healthy baby, and making informed decisions every step of the way.