What tools and gear does Hilary Erickson recommend during pregnancy and childbirth?

Hi, I’m Hilary Erickson from The Pregnancy Nurse.

From what I share on my podcast and blog, here are some of the main tools and gear I recommend or highlight around pregnancy and birth:

• Hospital comfort items: Ask for warm blankets (every hospital has them), extra towels, baby blankets, and plenty of chux pads. Labor is wet, and having linens ready makes you more comfortable and more likely to ask for help.
• Hydration tools: Big ice pitchers or cups for you and your support person, plus knowing what clear liquids or light foods are allowed.
• Monitoring and IV gear: External fetal monitors, IV pumps, and sometimes internal monitors if we can’t keep baby on the external monitor well (especially common with plus‑size moms).
• Birth-prep “tool”: A good prenatal class that actually prepares you for labor, induction, pain options, C-section possibility, and postpartum (not just checking the “took a class” box). That’s why I created the Online Prenatal Class for Couples.

Is there a specific stage you’re wondering about—pregnancy, labor room must-haves, or postpartum at home?