What's in your Doula bag of tricks?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ema Mortimer on May 4, 2009 at 4:01am

I take food and water for me, my Helios Homoeopathic kit for pregnancy, birth and labour, Clary sage, Rescue remedy, hair bands, bendy straws, lavender oil, a good book, painkillers (i always seem to get a head ache!) deodorant, gum, phone charger and make up & my business cards! Cor seems alot when I write it down! I also check out what a particular hospital will have there.....balls, mats ect..... sometimes I use the lot and sometimes I hardly touch my bag!

Luv Ema x

Permalink Reply by Mandy Detwiler on May 4, 2009 at 7:21am

My bag always has Lara bars and water for me. I also keep a couple pens handy, you know how they like to wander off. I like to have juice boxes, just in case someone's sugars get a little low, including mine. :o) I keep toiletries, such as toothbrush, paste, deodorant, etc... with me, for those long labors. I keep my "doula bible" ready just in case I need some different ideas. (My "doula bible" is The Labor Progress Handbook by Simkin and Ancheta) 3 tennis balls for counter pressure help, as well as big tube socks full of rice and lavender. I like to keep spearmint gum, I have given it to some of my clients and it really helped their feelings of nausea. I keep a change of clothes, just in case. I try to take some of my favorite relaxation cd's, like David Darling, Enya, etc... Most parents bring their own, if they pack before hand, but some don't think about that. Good grief, it does seem like a lot! That's about it. I, like Ema, have used it all and at other times rarely touch it.

Melissa, thanks for starting this discussion! What a great idea to share tricks of the trade.

Permalink Reply by Cassie Ehard on May 4, 2009 at 9:06am

I have a couple of birth CDs, including this awesome one of ocean waves that's been a big hit. I bring lotions (scented and unscented). I also have massage ball and some other massage tools. I bring my sock with rice in it for heating (or cooling). I never forget my camera (or my charger) and my cell phone (and charger). I bring food and drinks for mom, dad, and myself. I give my clients an exercise ball during our prenatal appointment, but I make sure to remember to grab it if we're going to a hospital. I always have Preggo Pops on hand and Emergen-C (for nausea or if mom's appetite isn't that great). I also bring a deck of cards, for if the mom is in early labour and is "bored." (Or needs a way to occupy her mind). I end up rarely using a lot of things I bring, but I like to bring them just in case.

Oh - and a change of clothes! One of the first births I went to, I ended up with amniotic fluid all over my pants. I also about jumped in the birth tub with her. I was thankful that I remembered another pair of pants in my car.

Permalink Reply by Muneera Fontaine on May 4, 2009 at 10:24am

These are such great ideas, I love discussions like this because I always get something extra like I bring my rice sock but I never thought to put lavender in it-what a great idea! I love the spearmint gum and emergen-c ideas as well. Keep the good suggestions up!

Permalink Reply by Melissa Laine on May 4, 2009 at 10:48am

I just realized...lol That I haven't shared what I have in my Doula bag!
Ok, so I have a small flashlight, Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, some hair ties, chapstick, a ovulation wheel, Labor Ease Oil, Rescue Sleep, Rescue Remedy, Lavender scented herbal hot or cold pack for the back, pens, The Birth Partner's Handbook by Carl Jones, some snacks(like raisins, pretzels, rice crackers, spearmint tick tacs, sucking candies, etc.), leftover stuff from my homebirth( powder free latex gloves, chux, lubricating jelly, straws, thermometer), a clipboard(just incase the Mother wants to write something and has nothing to write on that is flat), pad of paper, and relaxation CD's(my favorites being Enya and Celtic Women). Oh and I take stuff for me too, like toiletries, change of clothes, phone charger, and a few other odds and ends.

Thank you everyone for sharing your bag of tricks! I may take some of your great ideas and use them for my clients! Thank you!

Permalink Reply by Jamie Bond on May 4, 2009 at 6:03pm

My favorite tool in my doula bag is my Tupperware rolling pin. It's plastic and hollow with a cap that opens on one end. Depending on your client, you can fill it with hot or cold water and is AMAZING for back labour!

Permalink Reply by Erinn Streeter on October 7, 2009 at 3:51pm

I asked around about getting one of those, but eventually ended up putting an aluminum, cylindrical water bottle in my bag, instead. Filled with ice and water, it works just like the Tupperware hollow rolling pin. I slide the bottle into a large sock (men's size), and roll it up and down mom's back.

Permalink Reply by Tracey Stolarchuk on October 7, 2009 at 6:48pm

This is a great idea Erinn!

Permalink Reply by AmyE on May 6, 2009 at 8:05am

I don't carry many "tools" for the birth, mostly just what I need for me in case the birth is long. I did make a Rebozo out of a throw blanket at a birth last year. I had never used one. The birth seemed too intense too early and then stayed that way for hours with a third baby. I got the mom on all fours and used the Rebozo to support her stomach in between contractions for about 3 contractions. Then everything changed and it was time to go to the hospital. The baby was born about an hour after that. I'm thinking about getting a Rebozo since the hospital sheets might not work as well as a soft throw blanket did.

Amy
Mom to 3
www.sofiabean.com

Permalink Reply by Toni Perry on May 6, 2009 at 10:20am

Great ideas for us newbies! I love the rolling pin you can put water in. I'm looking for a few flame- less candles to keep in mine.That hospital lighting can be killer on the eyes.Can anyone suggest a good birth ball? They all seem alike but the prices vary so much that there must be something different about them.

Permalink Reply by Mandy Detwiler on May 6, 2009 at 11:41am

Toni,
Most hospitals have birth balls for you to use while your client is there. If you want to have one to show clients, I just bought a large exercise ball, I think it was like $30 at Target.

Toni Perry said:

Great ideas for us newbies! I love the rolling pin you can put water in. I'm looking for a few flame- less candles to keep in mine.That hospital lighting can be killer on the eyes.Can anyone suggest a good birth ball? They all seem alike but the prices vary so much that there must be something different about them.

Permalink Reply by Mandy Detwiler on May 6, 2009 at 11:42am

I have always wanted a Rebozo. It is great to hear some stories about successful transitions with it's use. Thanks for sharing that!

AmyE said:

I don't carry many "tools" for the birth, mostly just what I need for me in case the birth is long. I did make a Rebozo out of a throw blanket at a birth last year. I had never used one. The birth seemed too intense too early and then stayed that way for hours with a third baby. I got the mom on all fours and used the Rebozo to support her stomach in between contractions for about 3 contractions. Then everything changed and it was time to go to the hospital. The baby was born about an hour after that. I'm thinking about getting a Rebozo since the hospital sheets might not work as well as a soft throw blanket did.

Amy
Mom to 3
www.sofiabean.com

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