Doula kits, questions/advice please

apaeurope · 03-01-2007, 01:35 AM

Hi! I'm trying to gather my birth bag together and have my first client due in two weeks!! WOW! Anyway, i was looking at possibly buying a labor kit from doulashop.com and wanted some feedback about it. Basically I'm wanting to get a few essentials cheaply. It includes massage oil, tea, and a CD and a few other things I think so I thought maybe it would be a good deal. Another avenue I was thinking was to buy a meditation CD at Target and then just buy some massage oil separately.
Are their any doula kits that are reasonable or is it better to gather each item separately...
Just on a budget at the moment and would love to get some things ASAP just to make sure I'm prepared for this birth.
Feedback would be great! TIA

Sorry for the VERY much Newbie question!! lol!
I got my first client pretty quickly so I'm in a crunch obviously! Hey, I'm NOT complaining!! lol!

SamiNoodle · 03-01-2007, 03:56 AM

Sorry- this is from a fellow newbie, but I've heard a lot of posivite talk about the hot sock/ rice packs. I've heard that it's also good to have 2 of them, one that you store in the freezer and keep cold to alternate with the heat or when heat is not useful. We used rebozos in the Labor support course that I attended and see that the website also carries those. If you can get a copy of Special Women by Paulina Perez and Cheryl Snedeker there is a whole page dedicated to the contents of a doula's labor bag with suggestions. If you like I can PM you with the list from the class I took.

Lip balm is a good thing for the mom to have on hand, but this may be something you give her to keep once she's used it

--Sami

tlcdoula · 03-01-2007, 08:02 AM

Honestly I would stay away from the kits as they often are way more expensive then if you simply looked around in stores in your area. Plus they often have stuff in it that you don't need or don't want. Also remember that you do not need every single thing under the sun. I can't speak for anyone else, but when I started I bought so much stuff - had a huge suitcase of stuff and now I have a very small one and even with that I often do not open it other than for my massage oil and cds.

doula Michele · 03-01-2007, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula

Honestly I would stay away from the kits as they often are way more expensive then if you simply looked around in stores in your area. Plus they often have stuff in it that you don't need or don't want. Also remember that you do not need every single thing under the sun. I can't speak for anyone else, but when I started I bought so much stuff - had a huge suitcase of stuff and now I have a very small one and even with that I often do not open it other than for my massage oil and cds.

Yeah.. i agree. i rarely open my bag anymore. Maybe to get a pen and notebook, or my own chapstick.

I try to encourage mom to bring her own comfort stuff. she knows what she likes and needs, chapstick, elastics, massage lotions or tools, and whatever else she thinks she would like to try. That way i don't have to drive around withthis stuff in my car for weeks on end. And I don't have to wash everything when its done.

So most of the stuff i bring is for my own comfort.

SamiNoodle · 03-01-2007, 04:19 PM

After reading through two older threads on this topic I came up with a spreadsheet of over 100 different items people mentioned. The main categories were: aromatherapy, books, cameras, client care items, clothes, comfort measures, knee pads, food and drink, games or other time fillers, massage tools, paperwork, stationary and self-care items.

However, in one old thread someone asked for top 3 items and it seems that it was mostly rice packs, CD's, and massage tools- though breathmints were a very popular item on all lists. I hope this helps in figuring up priorities in your doula bag and that you have a great first experience with your client!
--SamiNoodle

apaeurope · 03-08-2007, 04:05 PM

Thank you all so much for all of your advice! I went out and bought massage oil and a good relaxation CD...bought the one from Target that someone mentioned in another post. Already have a ricepack so didn't have to worry with that. NOw I just need to gather some snacks, clothes, and lipbalm and I'll be ready. Oh, and honey sticks! That's a good reminder! My client is ALMOST there so i"m sitting on "go". My backups are ready as well...they are actually going to attend with me so I'm excited about that. One of them this will be her first birth as a doula as well--she already has honey sticks to bring. Wish us luck!! YAY!