Since I had a few extra minutes while the younger kiddos take a nap (all at the same time!), I thought it would be fun to share what I have in my doula bag.
Snacks -- I tell my moms (and dads) they need to eat during labor. It's hard work and we never know how long they are going to be at it. I liken labor to a marathon. A marathon runner would NEVER go out and run 26.2 miles without eating throughout the race. Granted, he/she isn't going to stop and chow down a five-course steak dinner, but you better believe he/she will have a power bar or a couple of those gel packs handy. I'm not the one in labor, but as the mom's (and dad's) support person, I too need to have plenty of strength and energy.
Water bottle -- Moms also need to be drinking throughout labor, for the same reason they need to be eating small snacks. They need to stay hydrated and energized. NOT eating and drinking during labor can cause fatigue, and an exhausted, dehydrated mom isn't going to have the strength she needs to birth her baby without some sort of help or "intervention." Again, I'm not the one in labor, but I can't very well support mom if I am passed out on the floor from dehydration or fatigue myself!
Tennis ball -- I use this to give my hands and wrists a break every once in a while. Applying counter pressure on a mom's back when she's having a contraction is hard work, but so helpful for the mom! I tell my dads, "Mom doesn't get a break during a contraction, so you don't get a break either. Keep applying pressure!" I also suggest they do some wrist and finger exercises to strengthen those muscles, as they will definitely be using them throughout labor to get back rubs, apply counter pressure, and various other comfort measures to help mom stay relaxed throughout labor. I need to follow my own advice, as my wrists were quite tired after this last labor. I was pushing on Mom's back for what seemed like 10 minutes, without stopping! She was having one contraction after another and wanted constant pressure, and as a doula, her wish is my command. Dad and I did trade off and on, allowing us both to give our wrists a break. BUT, when our wrists were resting, our shoulders and back were getting a work out as Mom was leaning on us with all her weight -- just like she should be!
Gloves -- I originally slipped my gloves on for this last birth because it was cold outside at 12:30 in the morning! I didn't want my hands to freeze on my drive to my clients' house. I am so glad I did because I ended up wearing them during labor too! My hands (and feet) are often cold due to poor circulation or something, and during her labor this mom was particularly sensitive to the cold. When I would go to put my hands on her lower back, she would shout, "Your hands are cold!" So, I wore my gloves!!! Dad didn't have a pair of gloves and did his best to pull his long-sleeve shirt over his hands when it was his turn to apply pressure on his wife's back. Anytime he would wash his hands, his wife would exclaim, "Now your hands are cold again!" And I knew that meant it was once again my turn to give the back rubs.
Back Massager -- I don't have this pictured, but I should probably go ahead and through a battery operated back massager in my bag. Or maybe one of those wooden back massagers. They would be used like the tennis ball -- to give my hands and wrists a little break. Personal touch is much better, in my opinion, than a tennis ball or back massager, but it is also nice to have a quick rest for one or two contractions so you can actually apply significant counter pressure with your hands and help mom stay relaxed throughout labor.
Scarf -- I can use this in a variety of ways. I could open the scarf up and have mom lay or lean back into it and hold onto either end, supporting her during contractions. Mom could also get on her hands and knees, with the scarf under her belly, and I could gently hold onto the ends of the scarf to provide some counter pressure around her waist and hips. Mom could stand and have the scarf around her belly, with me behind her holding the scarf and squeezing slightly, again offering counter pressure during contractions. When it's time to push, Mom could get into a squat position on the bed, holding onto one end of the scarf while I hold the other end, pulling and helping her maintain that position while she is pushing.
Essential Oils -- I take along the whole box of essential oils, but the two I like to use the most during labor are lavender and clary sage. Lavender is very soothing and calming, helping mom to relax and release any tension in her body from the stress, pressure, or pain of labor. Clary sage is supposed to help mom with contractions. I can put the essential oils on my hands, in the water if she is in the tub, or in the diffuser I bring along.
Diffuser -- I put the essential oil on a little cloth, plug in the diffuser, and then the whole room starts to smell wonderful. Every time I have used the diffuser, the moms have commented on how nice it was and how the smell really helped them relax.
Cloths -- I can get these warm, put some essential oils on them, and place them around mom's perineum to help her skin stay smooth and stretchy, which is extremely helpful during the pushing stage. Many moms are afraid of tearing or needing an episiotomy, but warm compresses can help reduce the chance of both. Cool washcloths can also be nice to put on mom's forehead when she is in the transition period and may be hot or sweaty.
Heat pads or rice packs -- I also don't have these pictured, but they would definitely be something I should pack in my bag. During this last labor, Mom really liked having a hot rice pack on her bag. The heat is a great help in relieving pain and helping her stay relaxed during contractions. If possible, a hot shower can do wonders as well. Or even better, soaking in a birthing tub for as much of the labor as possible is absolutely amazing! You feel weightless in the water and are surrounded by the heat, giving you the chance to just lay back in between contractions and relax!
Birth ball -- I have this in the car, as it doesn't fit inside my bag :) The birth ball can be used in so many different ways during labor. Mom can sit on the ball and gently sway back and forth or from side to side. Often times movement that is different from the baby's movements inside as he/she gets into position for birth can really help mom relax, not to mention keep the birth canal as open as possible and help that baby "slide on down." Mom could also lean on the birth ball, again swaying or rocking slightly. If mom isn't using the ball, the dad or doula or anyone else in the room can use it to sit on while they are giving mom a back rub or offering words of encouragement.
Cell phone -- I can use this to help me time contractions, call family members, or like this last birth let my childbirth students know I was at a birth and unable to come to class that morning! It's also a camera in a pinch.
Camera -- I do bring my actual camera along -- with extra batteries and memory cards too, just in case. Some clients want me to take pictures throughout labor, while others just want pictures of their new baby after he/she is born. Dad needs to enjoy every moment with his new baby and be by mom's side immediately after the baby is born, so he's in no position to take pictures. Capturing those first moments of your baby's life is so important. I like to get the baby as he/she is being weighed and measured, of course. Dad cutting the cord (after it's stopped pulsing!!!) is another good one. But my absolute favorite is mom's face when she sees and holds her baby for the very first time! I love seeing the joy and pride and relief on her face. All that hard work of labor was worth it! After that, I like to get baby nursing or laying on mom's chest, the first family picture, and then grandparents and any other family members. Oh, and if the doctor is there, it's fun to get one with him/her too!
I also think the nurses deserve some camera time. In both of the labors I attended recently, the nurses were amazing, supporting mom and dad in their desire for a natural labor and making sure they were able to have the birth experience they wanted, even if it may have been different from what they are used to in a hospital.
Other stuff -- I also have extra clothes, a brush, tooth brush, and a pillow. You never know how long labor is going to be or how messy you may get in the process. I think it's better to be over-packed and prepared for anything!
I love, love, love my job as a doula. I may have to leave at midnight and not get any sleep. I may have to fight rush hour traffic to get to the hospital. I may miss supper with my family. Whatever the case may be, I am always ready -- and excited -- when that call or text comes from one of my clients, "I think it's time." I feel so honored and privileged to be invited to be part of something so special and sacred. Not to mention, I get my baby fix without going through labor myself! :) Though I must admit welcoming all these brand new babies to the world and holding them within minutes of their arrival makes me want to have another baby of my own!!!!!