A sarong would work just fine. Thats what we used in our workshop. Just went and purchased the perfect doula bag. Now all I have to do is fill it!

Has anyone ever objected? Thanks for sharing this great tip!

Cynthya
An Atlanta Doula
www.anatlantadoula.com

OK so here is my bag list, I have a rolling duffle bag to put it all in
Birth bag w/ cover

scrunchies
EVOO for massage
swim noodle (great for lifting hips for checks)
battery operated squirt fan and extra batteries
big feather(VERY useful for when doc tells mama to stop pushing, just have her blow on the feather)
mints/gum, snacks, dum dums(cheaper than preggy pops)
accupressure ball
clipboard with pens and all client paperwork
small combs
digital camera (fully charged with clean memory card)
video camera (fully charged with clean memory card)
4 massage tools
kneeling pad
big hand mirror (see baby crowning)
my toilitries and extra change of clothes
rebozo
labornotes pad
natural labor companion cd
tennis balls for massage
2 eye gel masks (one for freezer, one for microwave)
lip balms (new one for client)
a reuseable cold pack in washable case
a reuseable hot pack in washable case
book for me to read if I have down time
deck of cards(requested a few times)
honey sticks
Essential oils-peppermint, lavender, clary sage
bendy straws
3 tiny containers with lids for essential oils
cotton balls
tissues
tape
a wire head massager
toothpicks
and of course, my kleen kanteen.

I think that is everything.

for all of you who use oils....I read on one of the posts you dont use it on the Mom. So...just put some on a cotton ball and sit it near her? What about olive oil for massage?

Thanks
Jes

Unless you're trained in the arts of essential oils NEVER apply them to a mom's skin.
Put a few drops on a cotton boll and then she can put it in her bra strap or you can even tape it to the front of her shirt, etc. That way if the smell becomes unpleasant to mom, or she's allergic (like me, lavender= instant debilitating migraine) you can flush it down the toilet and remove the smell.

I love olive oil for massage. But it can go rancid so I'm not a fan of leaving it in my birth bag.

I just wonder what type of bags you all get so much stuff in. I actually use a scrapbooking tote and have a place for everything, but it is about to capacity. I would like to add a pump for the birth ball (the hospital ones are usually not so full) and would also like to add a change of clothes. I don't think those extra two things would fit. I LOVE my tote and have received so many compliments on it from the medical staff and clients.

What do I keep in it?

The Birth Partner book
The Labor progress handbook
Preggie pops
Belly bars
Chap stick(for me and the mama)
hair bands
bobby pins
granola bars
peanuts or peanut butter crackers
EmergenC
a sandwich container with a sandwich if I have time or remember to pack it
pepermint gum
cough drops
my badge
sented lotions (NEVER have used) One is a baby scent, one light peppermint, one lavender
my camera
pool noodle
tennis balls
rice sock
Apollo moon walker massager
various other cheepo massagers NEVER use
two hand fans
Lysol spray
Clorox disinfecting wipes (to clean off whatever I used before I repack everything)
A portfolio type pad with paperwork, pens, business cards, paper, etc.
toilet trees for me
allergy or cold pills
bag of change
phone charger
bottle of water

I think that's it.

I want to get a small battery operated fan, but just haven't done so yet.

I LOVE the idea of the cooled face mask. I'll have to look into that too.

I also put in a fan - it's made out of sandalwood so smells lovely. If the mom is feeling hot, it's great to fan her with it!
What kind of bags do you actually use? I want to have some made and so need ideas from doulas. I'll have them made out of strong woven cotton. I have rebozos for sale too that are made from women in Laos, where I worked for 2 years on a maternity health care project. They are very brightly colored and strong.
See: http://www.asiantribalwares.com

I use jojoba oil for massage and depending on the mom I mix on the spot with oils or I will usually add them to a washcloth and then can wash it, add to it or remove it as needed. I avoid using oils directly near the breasts or belly in labor to help the baby to be ID the mom by smell and not to interfere with nursing or bonding.

These were great posts, really helpful. Thanks

Also those inflatable neck supports, like you can use on a plane. They are great for when mom is in the tub and she can rest her head against them as opposed to trying to keep a towel there and it gets wet, etc....

A MUST-HAVE in my bag is The Birth Support Kit. It consists of 4 Aromatherapy/Flower Essence topical products for physical, emotional, mental and environmental support. Two massage oil blends, one massage cream, and a spray. The kit has assisted numerous safe, natural childbirths.

In My Doula Bag...

For Mom
Rice Sock
Instant Heating Packs (for hospitals that don’t allow rice socks to be microwaved)
Latex & Non-Latex Gloves (1.For safety 2.I can put ice in a glove and tie it off to make an instant cold pack)
Battery-Powered Fan
Anti-Nausea Wrist Bands
Flameless Tea Light Candles (for ambiance)
Honey Sticks, Preggie Pops, Healthy Snacks
Essential Oils: Peppermint, Lavender, Clary Sage, Sage, Neroli, Jasmine, & Rosemary
Ear Plugs and Sleep Masks
Massage Roller
LED flashlight
Washcloth
Chapstick
Massage Oil (unscented, that can also be used as a carrier oil for essential oils)
Hair Ties, Bandana, and Soft Cotton Headband
Ziplock Bags (small and larger size)
Fresh Fruit

For Myself
Cellphone Charger
Breast Pump (and additional attachments to hook up to a hospital grade pump if available)
Camera with Extra Battery Pack
Digital Watch with a Built-in Stop Watch (to time contractions) that lights up
Clothes (an extra pair of socks, underwear, shirt, and stretchy pants)
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes (to wipe down my items before they go into my bag and to wipe down my bag and shoes before I go into my house)
Toilletries (face-wash wipes, deodorant, toothbrush/paste, soap, lotion, tampons/pads)
Breath Mints & Gum
Healthy Snacks and Several Varieties of Tea and Instant Coffee Packets
Protein Shakes
Dollar Bills (for vending machines)
Book
Pocket Notepad
Water Bottle and Emergen-C Packets
Neck Pillow

For mom:
two hand held vibrating massagers
scalp massager (looks like a whisk, feels AMAZING)
rebozo
heat pack
ziplock bags (for making ice packs)
sweet almond oil
cinnamon EO
Japanese mint oil
chapstick (a few, brand new)
client folder
The Birth Partner
my quick reference sheet (which I should really laminate....)
sour candies
unscented lotion

For me:
change of clothes
travel sized toiletries
a big ziplock bag filled with Clif Bars, protein bars, luna bars, Emergen-C, etc
my blackberry, keys, wallet, always extra cash for cab fare or parking
journal & pen for jotting down notes about birth and for writing down my thoughts/feelings
iPod (with LabourMate installed for timing ctx)

I must say I have been quick amazed at how little I use what I pack in my birthing bag. Our hands and voice are powerful tools!! Here's what I have though:

Kneeling Pad (definitely my most used item)
Electric Candles (second most used item. Mamas LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Especially when in the tub)
2 different types of oils
non-scented lotion
warm fuzzy socks
2 massage tools (which I have never used)
List of birthing position
water bottle
snacks
2 squeezy balls (third most used items)
digital camera
Water spritz/spray
A binder with training notes and papers

I think that's about it! I could probably condense it to about half of what I have, but I know if I do that then will come the birth where I will need it all!

I've been using electric candles now for quite awhile. I used to tell clients to bring them but then I just thought, why not just bring mine? So, I do!