What is in My Birth Doula Bag?

Want a sneak peak into what I bring with me to every birth? This is the bag that sits ready by the door at all times. Ultimately, my hands, brain, and heart are my most used tools, but that doesn't mean that some of my other items aren't helpful, too!

When I celebrated my 100th birth I did a lot of reflecting, and one thing I realized is that it was time for a new doula bag. I had my eye on this duffel for a long time because it is separated into compartments and then the 4 sections have pockets inside. I can get to everything without having to dig.

I asked people to donate 100 pennies in honor of my 100th birth and I was bowled over by the support. Now, every time I grab my bag I can feel the strength of my community joining me for the wild ride of birth. Energy and intention matters in birth and the vibes on this bag are immaculate.

Important guiding principles for what makes it into my bag:

My first doula bag that saw me through my first 100 births and now belongs to a doula that I mentored

• Everything is organized and in easy reach

• Long births often benefit from having a few surprise tools and tricks when the going gets tough - keep those available even if lesser used

• Nothing that clients can do better themselves (ex. comforting objects)

• I need to actually use the item myself and understand how it works, or what it tastes / smells like; you can't use a tool effectively if you don't know it

• I love the earth, and/but during birth it is ok to use stuff that is easier and more disposable; conserve every day and use whatever is needed during birth

I am constantly editing what stays and what goes in my bag, so this is just a snapshot of my right-now stuff. Read all the way to the end for a look at my original supplies and how they have changed.

Snacks

My snack variety is ever changing thanks to my Costco membership. I generally stock both things I love and also things that I know are helpful in labor and postpartum. I've played around with sorting things by when in labor we might need them and have a "pushing" bag. At any given time I might be carrying:

• Liquid IV, gatorade, or coconut water instead of the low-sugar options like Nuum (great for pregnancy, just not labor)

• Labor-ade

• Red Raspberry Leaf tea

• Protein bars: Trubars, Cliff Bars, RXBARs

• Chomps

• Nuts and nut butters: Justin's nut butters, Split Nutrition

• Slurpables: Noka smoothies are an all time fav - shelf stable and with 5g protein! Muir Energy, applesauce, honey sticks

  • I just learned that chocolate pudding is the perfect snack for a stalled labor so that will be joining the bag soon

• Broth protein powder

• Mints: I have saved many a partner from "honey, I love you, but get your bad breath the fuck out of my face"

• Bendy straws

In winter, you won't catch me at a birth without a packet of Millie's Delight Pho. I leave it in the car to steep during the birth and drink it on my way home. Absolute perfection. Speaking of broth, its been hitting for clients lately. Hospitals often have the salty flavor packets - but they are just salt. I bring my own broth protein powder and mix the two together so you get the yummy flavor and salt while also getting 20g of protein. I've also had people make and bring their own bone broth!

Most hospitals have clear liquids trays that include: broth, jello, Italian ice or popsicles, and juice.

Keep in mind that most people in really active labor or pushing don't want to eat anything, but usually need a little fuel. If they don't want to chew, I go for liquid calories. My rule of thumb is, if you'll have a bite, I'm happy. And I'm not above begging.

Vibes

Dilated pupils make for a dilated cervix. If you are at home, light some candles. If you are in hospital or birth center, have lots of glowy LED lights ready to go.

Evanston Hospital birth tub set up with candles

• LED candles fro my long time mentor and friend, Leah

• Battery operated twinkle lights, sometimes other glowy things

• Mantras and birth cards (though these aren't often used unless birth is medicated because no one reads in labor)

  • If clients have their own affirmation cards I highly recommend that they bring them!

• Lightweight speaker

• Electric fan

I usually encourage my clients to bring a comfort item from home for a longer hospital stay. Something like their own pillow or cozy blanket. I've also had people bring their own dimmable lights, pictures of their pets, room sprays that they like... you name it! If it makes you feel safe and comfortable every time, it probably belongs in your birth room.

Client created birth affirmations: a great week 39 activity!

Toiletries

I cannot overstate the value of brushing your teeth after many hours of labor or labor support. It really does help people feel like a new person. If someone has been laboring a long time and then gets an epidural, I usually find that after they nap a little clean-up is helpful.

• Fancy body wipes

• EXTRA fancy Ursa Major face wipes that are as close as I can get my post-birth clients to the facial they deserve

• Wisps disposable tooth brushes, floss

• All the hair options: ties, headbands, bobby pins, clips

• Poo-pourri for partners in a one-bathroom situation

• Tissues

• Wet Wipes

• Tylenol and tampons for myself

Tools

This is where my tenure as the Comfort & Coping educator at BRBC really shines. I get to try new tools on lots of people all the time, so I always have fresh ideas.

• TENS unit: MY MOST USED ITEM! The TENS machine attaches to your back and delivers small electric impulses to encourage the release of endorphins and distract from the pain. You can get these OTC from the pharmacy for as little as $25, but mine is a fancy one designed for labor

• Birth comb

• A hollow Tupperware rolling pin that is great for back labor (you can fill with ice)

• Kneeling pad

• Electric pump for birth balls, peanut ball, and the camp mat I keep in my car

• Dr. Chilly ice ring for neck

• Rebozo: a scared ancient technology made from a woven cloth; I am not of Mexican descent, so I learned how to use this tool from Tema Mercado and Lucia Echeri, but I do not teach others how to use it

  • if you are interested in learning more and you're local to Chicago, I recommend looking to classes with Cote Garceau

I want clients to bring some of their own tools: a rice sock, heating pad, or any massager that they love.

Homeopathy 

I have the Helios kit and use this most often at home births. If you are unfamiliar, the philosophy is that "like treats like." You take something that would cause the symptoms you want to alleviate in an extremely diluted form (1/200) dropped onto a small pellet of sugar. Since the biggest criticism is that it could be too weak to even do anything, it feels very safe to use in pregnancy and labor. I received some training from Juli Tilsner at Cornerstone.

Recently, I had a client who had the foresight to request Zofran after a tough first birth with a lot of nausea and puking. Unfortunately, the Zofran worked until it didn't. We were getting pretty desperate since she couldn't keep water down and was not hooked up to an IV. We tried the ipecac homeopathy and it worked almost instantly. She was able to keep fluids down after that.

There are options for helping get labor going and for restlessness. There is even one for a malpositioned baby! I also love arnica for postpartum soreness. If you're curious about using homeopathy, please let me know. I love to incorporate it in my practice for clients that are interested.

Essential Oils

I keep both florals for relaxation and citruses for energy. I honestly probably carry too many, but I like to have the just-right one. I most recently used clary sage to help with dilation in a stalled labor. I love when a nurse walks in and pauses to say, "Wow! It smells so nice in here." Scent immediately brings humanity back into an otherwise sterile setting.

Used most often to set the mood, relax in the tub, or settle into a room

• lavender

• jasmine

• rose (gifted to me by a client!)

• geranium: cost effective alternative to rose

Used for those moments of exhaustion, nausea, and doubt

• mint: also helps people pee postpartum!

• lemon

• orange

• clary sage

I'm not here for pyramid schemes related to plant oils, or really any MLM shenanigans, but I do think it is important to know that you have real plant matter when you want to have the medicinal effects. I use Aromatics International because they are transparent about sourcing and expiration dates. They do not pay me - that is what I chose based on my own research.

Just In Case Pouch

I'm a prepare for the worst and hope for the best kinda birth doula, even though in my regular life I tend to just go with the flow. I pride myself on being resourceful and making due with what I've got.

• Change of clothes, though I go back and forth on this

• Disposable cooler in case I don't have my regular placenta cooler

• Vomit bags, gloves, and chux pads for those intense moments at home or on the way to the birth spot

• Unused sleep masks

• All sorts of chargers and batteries

Stuff I Bring that Doesn't Live in the Bag

• Coffee

• Fresh fruit or a hot meal

• Big ole' placenta cooler for placenta encapsulation 

• A second pair of shoes

I feel that I have truly achieved elite status now that I change my shoes. I've turned it into a ritual. I start the birth in my Cloves and at the 12 hour mark usually my feet are starting to scream. Makes sense that shoes made for nurses are only good for 12 hour shifts. When there is a quiet moment during the birth, I slip out to my car and swap my shoes for my Calzuros. It feels good to mark and honor the time, and also keeps my feet from really screaming and distracting me.

Supplies circa 2023

My First Birth Bag

I learned that many of the things I thought were a good idea, actually weren't as helpful. Grippy socks are location-provided in Chicago. My old speaker was big and heavy. I used to carry a birth ball and a whole bunch of massage tools which were too much space and weight for how often I used them. Plus almost every birth spot in Chicago has birth balls. I also used to carry teaching tools with me to birth because I just didn't realize the learning ship has SAILED. I waffle back and forth about my DSLR since my iPhone captures great birth photos.

Honestly, I feel like I could show up to a birth now with nothing but myself and some comfortable shoes and fully support a client. So the stuff is all just bonus these days.

My very first birth bag, as packed in 2019