How can the tools in my doula bag help you?
Let’s take a deep dive into my doula bag. Knowing what is in a Birth Doula’s bag can help to inspire expectant parents in their own packing. There are so many things to prepare for and packing your hospital or birth center go bag is an important one.
Birth is unpredictable! It is hard to pack a bag while you are nervous or excited at the first signs of labor. My advice is to start packing some items a month out from your due date and add some of the daily use items once you go into labor.
Here are the major categories of items in my Doula Bag:
Personal hygiene, Snacks and Fuel, Care Items (for me and my clients), and Electronics.
Hygiene in my Doula Bag
Staying fresh and clean is incredibly important for a lot of reasons. For one, I am a professional birth doula and in being a professional I would like to look and smell like one. So keeping odors away is step one. Additionally, as mentioned before, birth is unpredictable, so we often have no idea when we arrive how long we will be staying. Feeling refreshed after a long night can re-energize you to support your birth client better. I recommend that for birth families too. Refreshing how you smell and feel can get you into a better mode to tackle waves of contractions. Thirdly, having extra self-care items can be surprisingly useful for different labors. For example, having your hair brushed and braided during labor can be a distraction and can get your hair out of the way.
Doula Bag Hygiene Product list:
Deodorant- It gets sweaty doing massage, counter pressure, dancing etc
Chapstick
Brush
Rubber bands- I’ve braided hair throughout my life, but in the midst of labor, you might want your hair out of the way. Having the tools for clients can save the day.
Rads, tampons, diva cup- for yourself or other visitors who may not have been prepared
Moisturizer
Eye drops- Great for refreshing your eyes after an all-nighter
Toothbrush/ floss/toothpaste
Gum/ mints - You can eat something that will completely change the smell of your mouth and if you are coaching someone up close while breathing, you better smell good!
Fuel in my birth doula bag
Remember, birth is like a sporting event. The birthing person is exerting so many calories to work their baby down and out. Supporting someone through birth takes effort on your part too. Think about how much energy it takes to hold a double-hip squeeze for hours on end. You need to fuel yourself as if you are working out. Birth is unscheduled and there is no way of knowing how much time it is going to take. Pack plenty of snacks and high energy drink to fuel you throughout the time.
During this time it is important to balance your blood sugar. Eating high protein and carbohydrates together can help to stabilize your blood sugars and keep you going all night long. Have foods and drinks that are quick to eat. You may have short bursts of time to eat so make sure your items are easy to chew and eat.
Doula bag fuel list:
Epic meat bars (protein bars)- These are high protein, but tend to leave your breath smelly. Keep in mind the gum and mints in the hygiene section
Trail Mix
Coconut Water
Chocolate
Dates
Crackers and sandwich meat- Think a mini charcuterie board
Care Items in my Doula Bag
You never know what is going to feel great or terrible during labor, so it is best to be prepared with many items. Looking like a pack mule while walking into a labor and delivery unit feels odd, but release your insecurities because you will be happy to have your things later on. Below are detailed uses for various care items.
Especially in a hospital scenario, essential oils come in very useful. Essential oils can help you change the energy and feeling of a room. Essential oils can rejuvenate after a long night, reduce feelings of nausea, or liven up a space that smells like hospital.
Some clients enjoy massage as a distraction and to reduce irritable sensations. I always have coconut oil stored in my bag for this purpose. It is highly moisturizing and not frequently an allergy issue.
Although most birth rooms have the ability to change the temperature via the thermostat, often having a mini fan available can provide direct relief to a sweaty neck or other specific location. It can be a nice care item that works by distraction and I have even seen it help focus a mom through waves of contractions.
A heating pad is an under-valued item in my experience. At hospitals, we create DIY heating pads by pouring water onto towels and wrapping them in a diaper or other items we find, but having a working, plug-in heating pad is so helpful. Heating pads are especially useful for back labor, acting to dull the sensation and loosen up the muscles.
Doula bag care items list:
Essential oils
Essential oil diffuser
Massage oils- coconut oil, baby oil
Mini fan
First aid kit
Heating pad
doula bag care items for the birth support:
Sweatshirt- Similar to the portable fan situation, temperatures fluctuate in birth rooms. In my experience, if I stay up all night, I go through stages in body temperature fluctuations. It is my body telling me I need sleep, even though I have to stay awake.
A Book
Journal- Depending on the situation in labor, there may be downtime to read or journal. I enjoy taking notes about the birth so I can reflect on what I did well and where I can improve as a birth doula. But for families, my notes are a joy to see. My notes from their labor can help round out understanding and see things from a different perspective. I find it helpful to do a birth reflection with clients and show them the strengths they carried throughout the process.
Pens/Pencils
Change a bra and underwear- A light change of clothes can be a great pick me up for long labors or an overnight situation. To be honest, in the heat of the moment I don’t think I’ve ever used it, but it is a great idea to refresh yourself. It can be a long night or day and a fresh pair of under garments with refresh you, I promise.
Electronics in My Doula Bag
While I support folks, I tend to stay off electronics, but sometimes communication with other clients or family is necessary. Having a charger for your phone is key and the other suggestions are possibilities if you think they would be a good distraction.
Doula bag electronics list:
Phone and phone charge
Laptop and charger- Some families like to bring their laptop for distractions. Maybe Netflix and chill is how you distract yourself through early labor. For example, I’ve watched King Kong and Harry Potter during some of my clients’ births.
Headphones
Kindle
Camera
Doula Bag guide
The lists above act as a great guide for you to start packing, but in no way it is totally comprehensive. After every birth experience I learn new and helpful tools that can be used for labor. This is a starting point and at the end of the day, you have everything you need to give birth whether your bags are packed or not.
Remember, every decision you make during your birth is the right decision. That goes for what is in your bag as well. Wishing you all a happy packing and birth experience.