My Doula Bag
Jenevieve’s Doula Bag
... Some births nothing from my tote comes out, other times there are items that are just 'nice to have,' and other times there was that one item (or several) that made a huge difference for a client, their partner/family or me! The most important tools I have are not in the bag, they are my heart, my hands, my voice, my experience and my intuition!
Everyone's bag is beautifully different and reflects our own style, preferences, values, training, cultural and geographic aspects. The most important part is that you feel good about your bag (not in a comparison way, not in a "i need more stuff" way, but what speaks to you? what serves you as you serve your clients?). My doula bags and tools change over time, dramatically since my first birth in 1996... so it's fun to reflect on the changes, too! I recently used to carry a sweet basket from Ghana.
Aspects important to me in choosing a new tote: wheels, lots of pockets, extra space and affordable. I am delighted by my “Crop in Style XXL Rolling Tote!” This bag has two side pockets, a front pocket and a large interior pocket. I discovered this tote at Joann's Fabric, delighted by the small packets made for scrapebooking and waited for 5months for a massive 40%off coupon! SCORE! I also try to be both sustainable and frugal , therefore, some of the items can be reused, some are from the dollar store, a lot i already had in my 'collection.' I also know what I need, so find 'twinkle lights' on sale after the holidays, electric candles on sale after wedding season, etc. Have fun exploring my bag, as I hope it inspires you to design what feels best for you!
... Some births nothing from my tote comes out, other times there are items that are just 'nice to have,' and other times there was that one item (or several) that made a huge difference for a client, their partner/family or me! The most important tools I have are not in the bag, they are my heart, my hands, my voice, my experience and my intuition!
Everyone's bag is beautifully different and reflects our own style, preferences, values, training, cultural and geographic aspects. The most important part is that you feel good about your bag (not in a comparison way, not in a "i need more stuff" way, but what speaks to you? what serves you as you serve your clients?). My doula bags and tools change over time, dramatically since my first birth in 1996... so it's fun to reflect on the changes, too! I recently used to carry a sweet basket from Ghana.
Aspects important to me in choosing a new tote: wheels, lots of pockets, extra space and affordable. I am delighted by my “Crop in Style XXL Rolling Tote!” This bag has two side pockets, a front pocket and a large interior pocket. I discovered this tote at Joann's Fabric, delighted by the small packets made for scrapebooking and waited for 5months for a massive 40%off coupon! SCORE! I also try to be both sustainable and frugal , therefore, some of the items can be reused, some are from the dollar store, a lot i already had in my 'collection.' I also know what I need, so find 'twinkle lights' on sale after the holidays, electric candles on sale after wedding season, etc. Have fun exploring my bag, as I hope it inspires you to design what feels best for you!
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FRONT POCKET
Closed Front Of Front Pocket: · my name + number; Biz cards; Badge; Mini Sharpie · “Doula in Style” by putting label of “Doula” Opened Front Of Front Pocket (mama tools): · Combs · Eye mask · Mouth (gum, mouth wash, handmade lip balm) · Tissues (hospital tissues are like using tree bark) · Hair bands (ties, bands, bandana) · Grippie Socks · Omni Ball · Tennis Ball(s) · Mamas Snacks (suckers, peanutbutter packet, emergenC, shot blocks, bendy straws, royal jelly) RIGHT-SIDE POCKET · Pens, Pencil, Sharpie · “Birth Notes” notebook for birth timeline, notes to doula-partner, birth partner or other support folks, if we want to communicate without words · Extra business cards · Flyers for our “Parents with Infants” Support Group · Cloth bag and Reusable Sandwich Baggie USAGE: sometimes I am checking into a client’s home or meeting at a version, and I don’t want to bring my whole roller bag, so I load up the cloth bag with a few supplies TIP: I tend to “pack out” my waste in this cloth bag (wrappers, used tennis balls, empty essential oil vial, Hot SnapZ to recharge, rebozo to wash, or note that says “grippy socks,” etc) as a simplified way to repack for the next birth. LEFT-SIDE POCKET · Hyland’s Arnica Montana · Visine for Tired Eye Relief · Himalayan Institute Neti-Stik · Wish Garden Herbs (Herbal Cal & Smooth Transitions) · Post-Trauma Stabilizer · Rescue Remedy Fatigue Remedy · Rescue Remedy Stress Relief (spray, pearls & pastilles) · Homeopathics (caulophyllum, cimicifuga, argentums, aconitum, cocculus indicus) · Oils (Aura Cacia Eucalyptus Awakening; Weleda Arnica; Origins “Peace of Mind”)-double zip bagged · Essential Oils (Lavender, Grapefruit; Orange; Eucalyptus; Peppermint)-double zip bagged TIP: I label tops with silver sharpie with first letter (“O” = Orange and “L” = Lavender) so I don’t have to take them all the way out to see what they are) · Electronics (Phone charger, Ear buds, extra batteries, Phone arm band for walks, Square) |
BIG TOP, INSIDE POCKET
The extra space on top (~9”) is great for kneeling pad and last minute grabs from my house (food, digital camera, etc) I leave a change of clothes in the top space, but leaving them in the car if I don’t need them at that birth. The lid stays open by looping straps around behind the extended handle. Section 1: Temperature Support · Rice bag (contraband item at some hospitals) · Ice bag · Hot SnapZ · Assortment of heat wraps, thermacare, little hotties · my orange Bondi · TENS unit · Book light (night reading or bag searching in the dark) Section 2: Push Labor · Hand held mirror · Rebozo or Sarong · Zip Loc bags for baby’s first hat (for dog-transition support) · Shot Blocks · Cup with a straw · WishGarden Herbs: Peri-Massage Oil -double zip bagged Section 3: Ambiance · 3 pillar battery-operated candles, 10 tea light battery-operated candles · 2 strands of twinkle lights (one for room, one for bathroom) · Random CD collection, if the iPod jack isn’t working · DVD “America’s Most Beautiful Places” playing images and scenery photos with instrumental music (Pacific Ocean, California Redwoods, Rocky Mountains) Section 4: Doula Care · “Quick Snacks” pouch (Honey Stinger Energy Chews, Protein Bars, Ginger Chews, Peanutbutter, etc) · “Beverages” pouch (emergenC, various caffeine and herbal teas, powder drinks) · “Li’l Coffees” pouch (Starbucks vias, various flavors – iced and hot) · “Meals” pouch (oatmeal, madras lentils, instant potatoes, instant soup, happy tot’s fruit/veggies, etc) · My Slippers & socks · Crocheting project pouch · Mini purse filled with personal items USE: it is in a mini purse I can quick grab when I leave the room to give them privacy or grab the partner some food, it contains all the items I need for a ‘fresh re-start,’ tampons, cash, supplements, etc |
If you are interested in a Doula Mentorship
(in the Boulder , CO area or remotely online via skype),
contact Jenevieve at 720-239-2347
More details here:
www.NurturingStrategies.com/Doula_Mentorship.html