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What's in the (Doula) bag?

2/24/2021

1 Comment

 
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Every doula is different in what they carry in their doula bag to support clients for birth. Over the years, I have learned that less is more. However, there are quite a few tried and true tools that I continue to carry to every birth, regardless of their frequency in use.
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I used to carry everything under the sun that I thought I needed. As the years passed by, I learned which items in my bag were merely just taking up space vs. ones that I actually used. That being said, there are some random items that I thought would never be used and just recently, they were a life-saver to a client.

​Certain items I thought I needed but don't are:
  • A deck of cards: I thought I would use them during boredom...nobody has ever been bored.
  • Portable speaker: Clients usually bring their own.
  • A notepad and pen: Phones fix that
  • Rebozo: A hospital bed sheet has helped many situations where a rebozo could be helpful.
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Here is the list of essentials, in my opinion. After attending 100 births:
  • Snacks: honey sticks are WHERE.IT'S.AT. So are walnuts, coconut water and nut butter packets
  • TENS unit: So helpful during an intense labor pattern.
  • Kleenex: Hospital tissue paper will rub your nose raw.
  • Stevia & Dairy-free creamer packets: Hospitals offer coffee, but regular sugar/creamer.
  • Massage tools: My hands are the primary tool, but others can come in handy for partners.
  • Phone charger: Long hours.
  • Energy tablets: For doula or partner, they dissolve into water for long births.
  • Portable fan: Surprisingly popular and it can hang around mom's neck if need be.
  • Batteries: For the fan and TENS unit
  • The Labor Progress Handbook: When it's 4am and I can't think straight, a handbook on all the how-to's come in clutch.
  • Tea Lights: Usually used for bathtub birth cave ambience.
  • Scissors: Honey sticks don't open well with teeth. 
  • Personal toiletries (face wipes, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, dry shampoo, eye drops, etc)
  • Doula certification: Hospitals ask for it nowadays
  • Non-scented massage lotion: Massage is necessary
  • Medical pants/jacket/Doula shirt: The professional doula uniform
  • Neck pillow: For labors when we all can get some shuteye
  • Eye mask: See above
  • Hand sanitizer: Just in case
  • Medical Emergency Kit (gloves, baby hat, chux pads, blanket)
  • Stress balls: A big hit for stressful contractions
  • Ball pump: Hospitals will either over or under fill birth balls
  • Icy Hot Pack: Laboring is strenuous and moms get hot or cold
  • Colgate Wisps & Breath Mints: Vomiting is normal, stinky breath shouldn't be
Certain items not listed because I always keep in my purse:
  • Breath mints/spray/gum: See above
  • DONA certified doula name tag: So I don't get confused with being a nurse
  • My business cards: Networking with new provideres
  • Water bottle: Doulas need hydration too
  • Hair ties, clips and headband: For laboring mom and myself
  • Cash: For vending machines for partner or myself
  • Headphones: If there is downtime, Netflix on my phone is nice
  • Bach's Rescue Remedy: Back to back births are no joke on a doula 
  • Deodorant: BO is not pleasant for a laboring mom to smell from support people
  • Flashlight: Just in case we have a surprise baby in the tub and I happen to be there
  • Chapstick: For mom and myself
  • Ibuprofen: Long births can create headaches
I am adding to my bag:
  • A new Rice sock: They get dirty quickly because they are used to often for back pain
  • Kneeling pad: For bathtub support time between partner and myself
  • Alcohol pads: A trick I learned from an L&D nurse. The smell quickly dissolves nausea faster than medication or even essential oils
  • Handheld mirror: For those crazy mamas who want to see their baby come out
  • Energy shots: Mostly for partners, but if I need a jolt, HEYO!
  • Ice pack: Because hospitals take forever to grab one







1 Comment
Victoria Addington link
4/6/2022 09:36:53 pm

It was most captivating when you shared that most hospitals ask for doula certification nowadays. My friend told me that she's more comfortable when she's guided by a doula during her birth. She's even looking for a woman of color doula since she knows she's in the good hand.

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    I am a doula. I love labor, I love birth! But most of all, I love witnessing the beautiful transformation of women becoming mothers. My job is to facilitate that transition easily and with JOY!!

    ​My greatest goal is to ensure that you and your family feel safe and secure with me by your side, ushering you into a brand new heroic journey that is motherhood. It is my highest honor to serve women in one of the most splendid moments of their lives!

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