What's in My Birth Bag?
Lots of birth workers carry some combination of tools and tricks with them to births. Everyone has a different set of things they like to have on hand. Here are some of the things I tend to bring with me, although I’ll change it up based on what my clients and I talk about before the birth.
From left to right:
LED Candles
If we’re going to be really honest, most of my bag is fake candles. I have a handful of larger ones and then probably like 30 of the tea light size. One of my goals is to help you get cozy at your birth site whether that’s a room in a hospital or a birth center or your own bathroom. Dim lighting supports oxytocin production, which supports labor progression. I also have noticed that when care providers enter a room that is candlelit, they also seem to slow down and pause a little. I think that’s probably good for everyone involved.
Essential oils
I carry several different oils with me. If a client want to use them, I’ll put a couple drops on a tissue in a disposable cup to smell. If the smell stops being fun, we can just throw it away. I carry peppermint to help with nausea, lavender for relaxation, vanilla because who doesn’t want to smell vanilla, orange for energy, sage, and some others. During prenatal visits, we talk about what smells are helpful and what aren’t and if there are any allergies that mean I should leave some at home.
Tennis ball
For clients who want touch, counterpressure, or massage, the tennis ball can offer a little more intensity, which some of my clients really like.
Snacks
I bring snacks and water for myself so you should never have to worry about how I’m doing during your birth.
Reference books
I don’t usually crack open a book during a birth, but if we’ve been at it for a while and need some new ideas, I carry The Birth Partner and the Spinning Babies Quick Reference that have lots of pictures of different positions that might offer some inspiration.
Tea
Many birth sites have some kind of tea options available but I like to bring my own. I carry peppermint tea for nausea and raspberry leaf tea, which promotes uterine toning.
Honey sticks
Need a little energy boost? Trying to get the baby more active so that you can get off of continuous monitoring? I will often offer honey sticks to clients to get a little bit of sugar to them and their baby if they aren’t feeling like they can eat solid food.
Birth affirmations
I carry Cameron Light’s rad and inclusive deck of birth affirmations with me. I also have index cards and a sharpie on hand if a client wants to make their own affirmation cards or have a word or phrase to stare at during contractions.
Rebozo
The rebozo is a Mexican woven fabric that is used by indigenous midwives for support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Lots of cultures have similar practices. My doula trainer, a black midwife, taught about the ways that traditional african cotton fabrics are used similarly for birth, belly wrapping, and babywearing. I use these fabrics in the ways in which I have been taught, understanding that many people carry ancestral knowledge about the use of these tools. I typically use it for rebozo sifting of the belly and hips. If a client has other uses that have been passed down to them, I am always happy to learn and collaborate.
