As a seasoned doula of nearly 15 years, I get asked all the time, what’s in my doula bag? and for new doulas they want to know what should they purchase first?
I start by explaining what I USED to have in my doula bag- and previous blogs show that I even took a crock pot and basalt massage stones to use for some heat and pressure. I used to have a bag on wheels that was my Mary Poppins bag of tools and goodies.
As a birth doula, I took the crockpot & rocks, I had a full bag of aromatherapy/essential oils, a rebozo, 3 types of small massagers, combs, battery powered candles and tealights, a speaker, lotions and oils, honey sticks, suckers, life savers, peanut butter, a rice sock, a hair brush, electrolyte powders, and then all my personal things including a full change of clothes, chargers and food.
The majority of the births I attended during my first few years, I tried so hard to utilize my tools and my bag of goodies. But I found that most of my clients were bringing their own items. They had their own preferences for electrolytes and snacks. They brought their own hair brush and massage tools, etc….
One day I had my rebozo in the wash (because washing all my tools after each birth is the right thing to do) and I had to use a bed sheet in the hospital to do my rebozo tricks. And it occurred to me that I should just use the sheet if needed in the future, and I wouldn’t have to worry about sanitizing my beautiful rebozo.
I then learned how to make heat packs and utilize tools already in the birthing facility and started taking things out of my doula bag.
One thing I added to my bag along the way is the book The Labor Progress Handbook and I don’t leave home without it. It is essential to my work- and has all the information I need.
I committed to taking more classes on labor positions and fetal positions, including Spinning Babies, and Gilligan’s Guide. I committed to taking more classes and building relationships with other professionals like pelvic floor PTs, and chiropractors to learn more about the body and how to prepare the body for labor.
I read more books about calming language and mindfulness, I took Hypnobabies doula trainings, I watched videos and listened to podcast, and read more books on breathwork. I committed to learning how to use imagery and affirmations to calm the mind and ease pain.
My toolkit has grown immensely in 15 years, but my tool bag has shrunk. I have learned to be resourceful in the facility and have learned the most important lesson of all: My presence is enough.
My hands, my mind, my knowledge, and my experience are my tools that help me support each client and family through their experiences.
My doula bag now is a small hip bag, that has 3 essential oils (peppermint, a citrus, clary sage), a small tin of mints, some gloves and chap stick.
I have my Labor Progress Handbook in my backpack that I take in that holds my personal items and my water bottle. But I am confident in showing up with the large tool kit I have and meet clients where they are to support them in the best way that serves them.