The contents of one’s doula bag are always a source of interest to clients (and to other doulas!).
However before talking about what is actually in my doula bag, I want to discuss the bag itself. I’ve seen doulas use everything from a rolling suitcase, to a back pack and everything in between. The bag a doula brings may say a lot about her personality, but there is no right or wrong bag. I personally love my Vera Wang tote bag (pictured) and it has served me well for many years. I love the pockets and I love that it is cute. What can I say, sometimes at 3am all I have going for my look is a cute bag!
So, what is in there???
Hot pack – This is the item that I most commonly pull out of my bag. Heat feels good to most laboring women, especially on their back and my pack can be used at home, the hospital or wherever mom is birthing.
Bendy straws (you know the ones that are flexible at the top?) – Women labor in lots of positions, some of them making drinking out of a cup quite difficult. Bendy straws can help with this by allowing mom to labor in whatever position is comfortable and still stay well hydrated.
Birth scarf – This is often called a rebozo, but mine was hand woven in Turkey (not Mexico) thus it is technically a birth scarf. I use it to help labor be more efficient and more comfortable. It is particularly helpful when baby is not in greatest position and may need encouragement to move.
Oils – If a woman wants specialty oils to be used during her labor, I request that she bring the brand and blends that she loves and already knows that she responds to well. However, I carry three basic oils with me in my bag: lavender (relaxation), a citrus blend (energy) and peppermint (reduces nausea).
Toiletries – I carry a bunch of random things like hair ties, chapstick, tooth brushes, mouth wash. Some of that is for my own coffee breath, some of it is for mom to use for freshening up during a long labor or even after vomiting.
Snacks – I always have honey sticks in my bag for a mom that may be in need of a quick energy boost. I usually also have some Cliff bars and/or almond butter in there for me, dad or mom. Often I have some dark chocolate stashed in there too…because you never know when chocolate might be needed.
Gloves – Birth can sometimes be messy. I actually like the messy parts of births because a mess usually indicates that things are happening, but gloves protect me and my clients should I need to deal with anything that had contact with bodily fluids.
My Phone – This is another item used at most births and that is is always in my doula bag. I have a contraction timer app on there, my clients’ birth plan details and other relevant info, a notes app if I need to jot something down and access to a world of information if something comes out where my clients need more info than we have available to us.
Massage Oil and Massage tools – Pretty self explanatory. I do a lot of massage at births.
Bunch of other Random Stuff – Basically random stuff…notepad and pen, relaxation CD, hard candy, peppermints, charger, change of shirts, ziplock bags…and a few other things I am sure! My doula bag has lots of pockets and they are mostly full.
In the course of most births, I will not use all these items and most everything stays in my doula bag. What I *do* use at every birth are my hands, my voice and my faith in your ability to birth your baby and make the choices that are best for you and your family.
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Maria Pokluda has been a doula serving expecting families in Dallas and Ft. Worth since 2007 and has helped hundreds of 
families have happy birth days. Maria was voted “Best Doula” by DFW Child the past five years and has a special passion for helping couples achieve VBACs. In 2011, Maria co-founded a doula training organization and trains doulas from around the world with BEST Doula Training. You can find information about Maria’s services or read her blog at greatexpectationsbirth.com