What I Carry in my Birth Doula Bag

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When I’m attending an in-person birth - whether at a birthing center, home, or hospital - I bring along my personal doula bag of necessaries, goodies, and just in case’s. I pack my personal items in a large ziplock bag within my duffle, just to keep a visual (& moisture) barrier between my maybe needs and the maybe needs of my clients. What I use from birth to birth depends on the location, the time spent nurturing (precipitous labors don’t leave much time for setting a vibe, or unzipping my bag!) & what may already be available in the space.

I encourage my virtual doula and prenatal guidance clients to consider adding some (or all) of these items to their list of things to have on hand during their births for their support partner to use for physical body comforting and the enhancement of their physical laboring environment.

Things I carry for my clients:

Organic Jojoba Oil: I like to be certain that every body massage feels smooth and nourishing. Jojoba oil is a mildly scented, antibacterial antioxidant liquid wax, derived from the seeds of the perennial jojoba plant. This particular brand sends a convenient, lockable hand pump with the bottle. Quick and easy and less messy access.

Organic Essential Oils, Mini Essential Oil Diffuser & Organic Cotton Pads : Scent is closely linked to memory. I encourage my clients to keep a little of their favorite oil with them throughout their pregnancy and sniff during joyous moments. During labor, the remembering can increase feelings of pleasure where pain may otherwise distract. And when an oil needs to be changed quickly during laboring, cotton pads are helpful - you can just sprinkle a drop and bring it close. Those are also helpful in OR rooms to enhance mother’s comfort + grounding.

Rice Heating Pad: I searched high and low for a washable rice heating pad and stumbled upon this fabulous one. It’s well constructed, made in the U.S., and drapes easily around large sections of the body.

Ice Bag: I love this little thing. It makes it really easy for me to add small ice pellets in a pinch or prep water and rubbing alcohol in the freezer for a gentle, gel-like, moldable application of cooling relief.

Squish Balls: My favorite thing about these balls is that they have a strap attached. Mama can grab it when she needs it, and release it when she’s ready - and it won’t roll away.

MamaTens: A best kept secret. After 37 weeks, this lovely + powerful, natural aid for comfort and distraction from back discomfort and waves (contractions) - This UK manufactured and distributed tens machine is designed specifically for early term and laboring mothers. Using four large electrode pads, connected to a small battery-powered device with three programs - the “MamaTens transmits gentle, electrical signals through the skin” and has an “excellent reputation as one of the safest, most effective forms of modern pain control available to women during childbirth.”

Comb: Squeezing a comb (or two!) along a pressure point in the hand lends to the the kind of distraction highlighted in that Gate Control Theory of Pain.

The Birth Partner’s Quick Reference Guide and Planner by Penny Simkin: This book is an invaluable, golden resource for reminding & enlightening both partners and doulas on essential labor & birth information. Although mad helpful as a fully-digested resource during pregnancy, having it on hand during labor & delivery can quickly help momma’s non-clinical support show up in ways that may otherwise be lost in fatigued translation.

Compact Bluetooth Speaker - This thing is so loved. Some clients make playlists of their own that I’m able to wirelessly stream. I also keep dope playlists from my daily enjoyed music subscription on deck for specific times & laboring transitions. Tried and true, classic and modern, acoustic and intricately produced, culturally relevant flows all in and around. Music keeps souls & spaces lifted.

Peanut or Almond (with cinnamon or vanilla!) Butter Packs - Peanut Butter is an ode to my last personal child birthing experience. I remember being ravenously hungry just before delivery and my midwife had her assistant (a doula) feed me peanut butter. Laboring folk need caloric nourishment to keep up with the vigorous demands of laboring - plant protein boosts like these generally go over well, are inoffensive, and quickly distributed.

Honey Sticks - Especially helpful in hospital environments that discourage eating (boooo.) and places restrictions on consumption. A nice energy boost for mom to continue working.

Lip Balm - Lots of focused breathing and long stretches of waves can leave lips with less moisture than we’d like. I keep a new tube of Dr. Bronner’s peppermint available for every client. I love how it feels on the lips and the minty scent that lingers near momma’s nose.

Alcohol Pads - Simple little way to help relieve feelings of nausea.

Mini Handheld Fan - Laboring women can experience waves of temperature increase. This little fan is helpful, compact, and even has a little flashlight on the end of it.

Handheld Mirror - For mommas who want to see baby crowning.

Flameless Candle Lights - Helps set a gentle, soft, glorious mood in any birthing space. These are about the size of tea lights, and they “flicker!”

Scrunchies and Bandies - Lifting our crowns, protectively, beautifully.

Facial Tissue - Have you ever used hospital tissue on a nose?

Things I carry for myself:

Change of clothes, eye mask, travel oral care products, menstrual cup - Where there is birth, there are fluids. I bring an entire change of clothes, including underwear (anything and everything can get wet), and pack my eye mask for days & nights when laboring is long and a quick nap is needed. Stinky breath & body crevices are never appreciated so toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and gum and/or mints & deodorant accompany. Additionally, there are a lot of hormones in the air and the menstrual flow can show up a little earlier than anticipated when supporting a birth - so I’ll bring my cup along, just in case.

Plant-protein powered snacks, organic green juice, and my yeti with loose-leaf peppermint tisane: In order to show up how I show up, I have to make sure that I’m taking care of myself in the process. I keep these things stocked at home to grab easily for when I’m on call. My tisane is a special love note to myself, sipping while supporting.

Hospital badge & business cards: When supporting at certain hospitals, I bring my badge with credentials. I always keep my business cards with me to continue connecting with local care providers and folk + families that may inquire about my services.

The Labor Progress Handbook: Another Penny Simkin (co)authored title - this book is chocked full of detailed information to prevent dystocia and highlights uncomplicated methods for redirecting prolonged labors. I’ve learned so much from this book and have it as a must when I head to any birthing space.

Bluetooth ear buds and phone charger: For sleeping momma but alert doula times and always having the phone ready to capture irreplaceable moments.

Hand sanitizer, N95 mask, simple disposable masks, vaccine card & hand sanitizer: safety & the times.

I hope these links and notes are helpful for you in the nurturing of a comforting, supportive birthing experience.