I’ve gotten a few searches for doula bag supplies lately, I thought I would share a list of what I keep in my bag that actually gets used:
Fetoscope
Various homeopathics for slow labor
Aromatherapy oils (I use peppermint, lavender, and clary sage the most)
Pocket reflexology chart
Massage balls
3×5 cards with aromatherapy mixes, homeopathy, mudras for labor, labor positions, affirmations, etc
honey sticks and high protein snack bars
emergen ‘c drink packets
bottled water
toothbrush, toothpaste, maxi pads, lip balm, q tips
various stones purported to have healing properties for birth (unakite and amber are good ones to have)
emergency childbirth kit (never know when you’ll have a mom go fast!)
newborn scale (good for post partum visits if mom is worried about baby’s weight gain)
peppermint foot lotion, and various massage and carrier oils
birth ball
soon to pack a whisper wear breast pump
herbal tinctures
notebook and pen
business cards
prolonged labor hand book
2 small plastic combs
rice pack
samples for mom (burts bees lotion, soap, mother’s milk tea, rrl tea, compleat mother magazine back issues)
book or knitting for if mom is sleeping
rescue remedy
flashlight
Ooh, come to my house next time I have a baby! lol
About the RRL tea – this last baby (#7) was the first time I really used it. I also did the Blue Ribbon Baby diet. It was the FIRST pregnancy that I was not anemic. I also did not have my usual preterm labor probs either!
Been thinking about getting some rescue remedy, can you tell me your ‘real life’ experience with it (Bach’s Rescue Remedy?)
By: Milehimama on November 6, 2007
at 6:42 pm
I’ll be available to doula homebirths around march and all other deliveries after june 2008, i’d be happy to work with you
I feel 100% the nutrition is the solution to nearly every pregnancy problem. I had horrible pre-ecclampsia with my first and I firmly believe it’s because I bought into the whole “eating for two” concept and lived off of crud for 9 months.
As for rescue remedy I’ve actually used it more for calming down panicky dads than on the moms, though I have heard of midwives using it on slow to start babies. I keep the spray in my car for panic attacks (I am bridge-phobic, smart choice to live in Charleston huh?). I think the only mom I’ve used it on was one who had a bad post partum hemmorhage. It didn’t stop the bleed (it’s not really designed to), but I think it helped her to not panic and clear her head so she could make necessary choices with her health care team.
By: brambledoula on November 6, 2007
at 8:44 pm
Well,l I was thinking of using it for my son who is neuro atypical and has anxiety issues.
By: Milehimama on November 7, 2007
at 10:17 pm
Worth a shot, it may be worth while for you to look into specific flower remedies as well, I know some people have a lot of luck with them.
This book here is a good place to get started- http://www.amazon.com/Flower-Essence-Repertory-Patricia-Kaminski/dp/0963130617/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-5480650-3033563?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194474050&sr=8-1
By: brambledoula on November 7, 2007
at 10:21 pm