5 Top Items to Keep in Your Doula Bag

Being a doula is a very rewarding and exciting experience for me.  Besides the satisfaction of helping an expectant couple bring a new baby into the world you have the rewarding advantage of getting work alongside of other birth professionals (OB/GYNs, midwives, nurses, etc) and learning from them along the way.  I have always enjoyed comparing notes with other birth workers and sharing tricks of the trade.  So, with that in mind, I would like to share with you the things I have found helpful to have in my doula bag.

 I love using my rebozo when my client are in need.  I use it for a mom whose baby seems to be in a funky position or if the labor seems to going long.  I simply have mom get up on her hands and knees and put it around mom’s belly, grabbing the excess, and gently sift/shake mom from side to side.  Sometimes, this helps get baby in a better position.  I also use it so wrap around mom’s hip and wrap the excess around my fists and apply counter pressure to mom’s lower back as a comfort measure.

 I will typically carry essential oils to my births for various applications.  Peppermint oil is my go to when mom is experiencing nausea, whether it is after delivery or during labor.  I simply apply the oil to a cotton ball and leave that somewhere nearby so mom can get the benefit of the scent.  If mom is laboring in the tub, I will add a couple of drops of lavender oil to her bath water, which helps with relaxation.  I may also add lavender to my massage oil and apply it to her lower back.  Clary sage is my favorite to apply to the lower back which alleviates some of the discomfort mom may be experiencing.

I have been known to carry different types of massage tools in my doula bag.  After spending numerous hours applying counter pressure to mom’s back and rubbing mom’s thighs, my hands get a bit sore.  So, I can pull out a massage tool to give my hands a break.  That being said, there is no replacement for using your hands as a comfort measure.

Since you can be at a birth for 18 plus hours, I always come prepared with granola bars, nuts, beef jerky, drinks, dried fruit, etc.  There are some labors that are so time intensive that you just can’t get away, so it’s always best to come prepared for the long haul.

All of my clients fill out intake forms after they have signed my contract.  These forms familiarize me with their childbirth history, birth presences, provider details, family stats, and other pertinent information.  All of these pieces of knowledge help me to better know my clients and assist them during the prenatal and delivery stage.

I like to keep my doula bag packed and ready to go starting around week 36 for each of my clients.  Should mom decide to go into labor earlier than expected, my bag is already packed and I don’t have to race around at the last minute trying to get everything together.  I just have to throw it into the vehicle and head down the road when I get that call from my client.  I would love to know what you keep in your doula bag.