From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I dreamt of having an all natural, drug free birth. I had visions of a calm and serene room where I felt safe and comfortable and would be able to use my HypnoBirthing training to give birth in a calm and beautiful way. I had my birth plan all mapped out, and my good friend who is a doula, was all lined up to be there with me at the birth. I was looking forward to the day with excitement and joy.

Although I knew I wanted a natural, drug free birth with as little (or no) medical intervention as possible, I also knew that I would be giving birth in a hospital. Early on in my pregnancy I was diagnosed with placenta previa, meaning that my placenta was fully covering the opening of my cervix. My doctor informed me that it would most likely resolve itself as my belly grew and my placenta moved up and away from my cervix, but to be sure, I was given a few minor restrictions throughout my pregnancy and the placement of my placenta was checked regularly. Luckily, by 38 weeks my placenta previa had indeed resolved itself and I was cleared to have a vaginal birth. My placenta was no longer covering my cervix but it was still a bit low, so to be safe and avoid any unforeseen complications, I felt safer giving birth in a hospital.

Regardless, I still wanted to have a comfortable, relaxed, and home-like feeling to my surroundings. I planned to labor in the comfort of my childhood home (where my parents still live) in their beautiful claw-foot bathtub for as long as I could until my doula advised me it was time to head to the hospital. However, as I neared 42 weeks of pregnancy and was showing absolutely no signs of impending labor, I was told I would need to be induced. There went my dream of spending my early labor in the claw-foot tub!

As I arrived at the hospital, my husband and my doula helped me transform my hospital room into a birthing sanctuary. There was no harsh lighting, just the soft flickering glow from the candles. The room was lightly filled with the relaxing scent of lavender (one of my absolute favorite smells), and I was surrounded by my own soft, plushy pillows off of my bed at home. We were truly able to transform my hospital room into a comfortable, relaxing sanctuary. Aside from the monitors (which we kept turned off when they were not in use) it really didn't feel much like a hospital room at all. Even my nurses and midwives kept coming in just to hang out because the room was so relaxing and zen. After my son was born I even remember looking around and saying, "When did we move rooms?" While I was busy pushing, the room had been transformed back into a hospital room as most of my things had been moved out of the way to make more room.

Here are some of the ways you can achieve tranquility in a hospital setting. (Be sure to have your comfort items packed and ready. Keeping them in the trunk of your car or right next to the front door is always a good idea.)

Transforming Your Hospital Room Into A Birthing Sanctuary:

1. Sight ~ Setting up flameless candles around the room, turning off the lights and drawing the shades helps to create a calm, serene ambiance. Bringing photos from home perhaps of other children, pets, or loved ones and placing them around the room can also bring comfort. 
2. Smell ~ An essential oil diffuser and a few essential oils that you like is a great way to make your room smell nice and mask any hospital smells. Plus you also get the added benefits that the oils offer such as calming, stress relief, balance, endurance, and relief from nausea. 
3. Sound ~ Make a birthing playlist ahead of time with relaxing and calming sounds and songs, and bring along some portable speakers. The music will add to the serene and relaxing atmosphere while also helping to block out the (sometimes loud and unpleasant) noises of a hospital.
4. Feel ~ Hospital beds tend to not be very plush and the pillows are generally thin, stiff and scratchy. Bringing your own pillows and a blanket or two from home can make a huge difference in your comfort level both during and after labor. Your own pillows and blankets will carry the smell of your home with them as well. I also recommend wearing your own clothes in lieu of a hospital gown and bringing a robe to wear after labor. 
5. Taste ~ Not all hospitals allow women in labor to eat or drink anything other than sucking on ice chips, but in my experience and through my childbirth education training, I have learned that it is important for laboring women to keep their strength up by eating small snacks and staying hydrated. Packing light snacks that have some protein such as nuts, string cheese, crackers, protein bars, and fruit are good options. Bring along some hydrating drinks like coconut water or water with fresh squeezed lemon juice and a pinch of Himalayan sea salt to help keep your electrolytes up.

Comfort Item Checklist:

• flame-less candles
• essential oil diffuser
• essential oils
• pillows from home
• blankets from home
• your own clothes, slippers, and socks
• music playlist and portable speakers
• batteries
• sleep mask
• snacks
• coconut water

No matter where you plan to give birth, or if you birth goes according to your plan or not, birth is a beautiful, magical, empowering, and amazing experience with the greatest result - your child! As life would have it, my son's birth did not go quite as I had planned. But it is our story, and it happened just as it was meant to. He was born happy and healthy, and we are madly in love. I wouldn't change a thing. 

Do you have any suggestions on how to transform your hospital room into a birthing sanctuary? Share in the comments below! 

When I was pregnant, I could hardly wait to get started on the nursery. I had an entire Pinterest board dedicated to design ideas, and had thoroughly planned out just how I wanted the nursery to look. I drove my husband crazy nagging him to get started on painting it so I could get busy "nesting."

Not only did I want my son's nursery to be aesthetically pleasing, I also wanted it to be safe and non-toxic. A sanctuary for him to sleep and play in. On my search for the perfect pieces to put into my son's room, I found that many every day products for infants and children such as the mattresses they sleep on and the changing pads we wipe their little booties on are made from harmful materials and contain toxic chemicals. These chemicals can let off gasses that are then inhaled as a child sleeps, sits, or lays on or near them. Fortunately, there are much safer, organic, and non-toxic options now available!

In my research, I continued to see many of the same toxic chemicals popping up over and over again as being components of many essential pieces that make up a nursery.

Commonly Used Toxic Chemicals Lurking In Everyday Baby Products ~ 

• Polyurethane foam ~ Used as filling for many crib mattresses and changing pads, polyurethane foam contains several toxic ingredients that emit harmful gasses such as formaldehyde, toluene, and benzene which I will mention below. 
• Formaldehyde ~ A highly flammable substance, formaldehyde is also carcinogenic. Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde has been shown to cause headaches, depression and mood changes, insomnia, irritability, and can even lead to attention deficit disorders. 
• Toluene ~ Also highly flammable, toluene is an inexpensive and very strong adhesive used by many different manufacturers for all kinds of products. It is what gives products that "new" smell when you open them. Regular exposure to toluene and the vapors it emits can lead to damage of the nervous system, mental confusion, dizziness, headaches, drowsiness and fatigue, and skin problems. 
• Benzene ~ A known carcinogen, benzene has been proven to increase one's risk of developing Leukemia. It is often used to make synthetic fibers and fabrics, detergents and dyes. 
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ~ Also referred to as vinyl, PVC is another known carcinogen that lurks in many, many different products from changing pads to baby bottles and more. However many companies have come to realize that PVC is harmful and have stopped using it in their products. When buying supplies of your child, be sure to check that they are "PVC free."
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) ~ Chemical compounds commonly used in paint that continue to off-gas long after the paint has dried. VOC's have been known to cause several serious health problems ranging from ear, nose and throat irritations to severe headaches, and even cancer.

Where You Might Find These Toxic Chemicals And What To Use Instead ~

Crib Mattresses ~ Many popular crib mattresses are filled with polyurethane foam and have been shown to emit over 100 different harmful chemicals and industrial solvents. Yuck! When your child sleeps on the mattress he or she inhales those chemicals. Not only that, but these chemicals are emitted into the air, causing you and your baby to be exposed to them every time you are in the room.
Opting for an organic crib mattress is one of the best things you can do to prevent your child from being exposed to these unnecessary and harmful chemicals. The best truly organic crib mattress I have found (and the one that is in my son's crib) is the Naturepedic No-Compromise 2 in 1 Ultra Crib Mattress. It is 100% non toxic and organic. This mattress comes with two sides - one side is firmer (and waterproof!) for infants and the other side is quilted and a bit softer for toddlers. Naturepedic offers many different crib mattress styles to fit your needs.
Note: When choosing an organic crib mattress, be sure to check what it is filled with. There are many brands that will claim their mattress is organic, and indeed the outer material is, but then they are filled with potentially harmful, non-organic stuffing or foam. 

Mattress Pads ~ Similar to crib mattresses, mattress pads also are made from harmful, synthetic materials that your child inhales while they are sleeping, and they continue to off-gas harmful chemicals into the air as well. Many mattress pads are made from polyurethane and vinyl (PVC), and are then coated with harmful antibacterial and stain resistant coatings. Luckily there are some great, all organic (and waterproof) mattress pads available. Once again, Naturepedic wins as my choice for best organic crib mattress pad. They have several to choose from, including an organic cotton waterproof mattress pad made from 100% safe, non-toxic and organic materials.

Changing Pads ~ Commonly made from vinyl (PVC) and polyurethane foam, many changing pads also contain antibacterial, stain resistant coatings which off-gas harmful chemicals. There are many organic brands to choose from, however, ranging in price from as low as $20 up to $200. I like (and use) the Oeuf Pure and Simple Eco-Friendly Contoured Changing Pad ($48-$55). Naturepedic also offers an excellent organic changing pad, however it is on the pricier side ($99).

Crib Bedding ~ When it comes to crib bedding, it is a very personal choice and many things come into play such as the size, style, colors, and patterns, as well as the materials it is made from. Many big name companies such as Land of Nod, Pottery Barn Kids, Sprout SF, and Giggle now carry a line of organic crib bedding. Etsy is an excellent place to find unique and fun patterns and styles of crib bedding made from super soft, organic fabrics. Try to steer clear of crib bedding made from synthetic fibers, as these can contain harmful chemicals and dyes, can irritate a baby's sensitive skin, and cause allergy like symptoms.

Paint ~ Most wall paint contains harmful chemicals known as VOC's. Luckily, more and more paint companies now offer non-VOC paints in an array of beautiful shades. When choosing a paint for your nursery, be sure to check that it is in fact NON-VOC. Some paint companies claim to be low-VOC, but this is only the base paint, and once color is added it is with a higher VOC paint. Non-VOC paints are easy to find at most home improvement stores.

Furniture ~ The wood used to make cribs, changing tables, dressers, rocking chairs, and bookcases are often treated with formaldehyde and other stains and sealants that off-gas harmful chemicals into the air. Synthetic materials such as plywood can be even worse. When buying furniture for your baby's nursery, look for used furniture which will have lower levels of formaldehyde than a new piece. Formaldehyde tends to "settle in" after about 5 years and stops off-gassing at that point. Craigslist is always a great place to look for used furniture, as well as second hand baby stores. If you really want something new, aim to find furniture that is finished with a non-toxic seal such as beeswax. Another solution is to use Safecoat Hardseal on your new furniture to help cut down on off-gassing. Cover crib rails with rail guards to prevent your little one from chewing on the wood and ingesting any of the sealants and stains used on the crib.

Other Items To Consider Adding To Your Nursery ~

Himalayan Salt Lamp ~ Rather than using a traditional night light, using a himalayan salt lamp not only gives off a warm, soft glow (proven to not interrupt sleep patterns like a white or blue light) but it also provides many health benefits! Himalayan salt lamps emit negative ions which are found in nature and are created from ocean waves, waterfalls, lightening, and sunlight. Negative ions purify the air by bonding together with positive ions, thus removing them. They also reduce and remove harmful EMF's (electromagnetic fields) as well as allergens such as dust mites in the air. Negative ions help to increase serotonin, relieve stress, improve sleep, improve overall mood, increase daytime energy, and promote calmness. We use one in my son's room, in our bedroom, and in our living room.

Cool Mist Humidifier ~ I love the Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, which we use every night during the winter in my son's room. During the winter months the air tends to become drier, then add on top of that the use of furnaces and heaters which dry out the air in our homes even more. Dry air can lead to an increase in colds, congestion, runny noses, sore throats, and dry, itchy skin and eczema. Humidifiers help to protect against dry air by adding moisture back into the air. I prefer cool mist humidifiers because there is less of a chance of bacteria and mold growing in them and being released into the air.

Diffuser ~ Diffusing essential oils can provide several health benefits such as protection against colds and the flu, promote a more restful sleep, reduce stress, enhance mood, the list goes on. Diffusing high quality, therapeutic grade essential oils in your baby's room not only makes the air smell nice but adds an additional health benefit to the air they are breathing!

Have a product you love in you non-toxic nursery or insight on the subject? Please share in the comments below!