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A detailed checklist for becoming a birth doula
$5.00
This is a printable PDF for the aspiring or new doula to know what steps to take and use the checklist as she establishes her new path as a professional birth doula.
E-BOOK Over 100 ways to market a doula business and promote birth doula services
$15.00
This printable PDF e-book is designed for you to utilize as a workbook. Print it out. Check off the things you are already doing. Highlight the things you want to try. Fill in the journal spaces for goals, plans, and progress. You can print this as many times as you need to. It has well over 100 ways you can promote your doula services. Find what works for you.
Please read: This is a 32-page e-book for individual use. It is not for commercial use or distribution. Any distribution or copying the content is a copyright violation.
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Birth is autonomous
Birth is autonomous. Women have the right to govern their own births. The mother is the decision-maker over her care and choices. If you believe this message, wear it.
Doulas are autonomous
Doulas are not meant to be regulated. We should be autonomous support people free to do things differently. There is beauty in the fact that we are not all the same.
For doulas
For labor and delivery nurses
labor and delivery (general)
The Birthworker Stars Collection
I really, really like this font with stars in it. It reminds me of string lights. I like it so much I decided to make one for each role in birth work. I'd like to introduce The Birthworker Stars Collection. If you have the privilege of working with women in their sacred season of childbirth, you are a star. Truly, your role is special and they will always remember the impact you had.
Note: I've tried to make this collection as matchy-matchy as possible, but the font size does vary a little bit to accommodate the longer words in the print area.
Note: I've tried to make this collection as matchy-matchy as possible, but the font size does vary a little bit to accommodate the longer words in the print area.
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4th Trimester Fitness Method
Emily Potter Wannenburg is a fitness instructor, birth doula, doula mentor, and former nurse-midwife. She has several classes available for parents to prepare for birth plus she teaches a fun postpartum fitness class. She is a knowledgeable resource to send your patients/clients to.
She has classes for you too! She offers an online fitness class specifically for doulas to help you strengthen what we uniquely need as doulas. If you want to improve your hip squeezes, take a look at her class. She offers a training program for fitness instructors too!
Emily Potter Wannenburg is a fitness instructor, birth doula, doula mentor, and former nurse-midwife. She has several classes available for parents to prepare for birth plus she teaches a fun postpartum fitness class. She is a knowledgeable resource to send your patients/clients to.
She has classes for you too! She offers an online fitness class specifically for doulas to help you strengthen what we uniquely need as doulas. If you want to improve your hip squeezes, take a look at her class. She offers a training program for fitness instructors too!
Amazon affiliate links
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Current categories:
Stay tuned for more categories coming soon!
- for doulas (birth support)
Stay tuned for more categories coming soon!
- for birthworkers on the go
- affordable gifts for clients (if you want)
- books to read
- and more :)
for doulas (birth support)
What’s in your doula bag? Isn’t that the age-old question? Every new doula wants to know what to bring. Truth is you can bring very little or you can bring a lot. When I became a birth doula back in 2008 it was all heart and hands. Support supplies were not super common. Nobody was squeezing combs. I had never seen a rebozo. We had very little compared to what we bring now. And that’s okay. Now my bag has grown and grown over the years. I’ve even upgraded to a wagon so I don’t have to carry it all. I am that big purse woman who brings everything. That carries over into my doula work too. There is a lot you can bring; you don’t have to bring everything.
If you are just starting out, start small and grow your bag as you learn how to use things. I recommend starting out with a 9-foot rebozo, a pack of wooden combs, and some low-cost items from the Dollar Tree such as hand fans, lip balm, hair ties. We can do a lot with a little.
As you expand what you teach, I would bring more items as samples of support tools they may like. Have it on hand at the birth. Nobody uses all the things. Most people seem to pick 2 or 3 things they like to use, and those are their birth tools.
I try to bring as much as I can. There are two reasons for that. One being that I use that to make my services look like a better value. I charge a living wage, and I know I’m one of the most expensive doulas in my area. Having supplies they can use means they don’t have to spend the money themselves to buy their own support supplies. I keep the supplies. It adds value to what I’m offering. For two, I like this kind of stuff. I love birth and I love birth support tools. I enjoy having the variety of things that I do. What can I say? I’m a birth enthusiast.
Alright. Let’s get into it. Here are all the birth support supplies I can possibly think of. Again, you don’t need to buy all of this if you are new. You can if you want to if you’ve got the money. If not, it’s okay to get a little more with each new client.
Almost everything in my doula bag is from Amazon. There are a few things I get elsewhere. I go to the Dollar Tree for hand fans. I also get lip balm, hair ties, other hair accessories, low-cost combs, and bendy straws from the Dollar Tree. If a momma happens to need those things, I can give them to her without me spending a lot of money. The only thing I get at Walmart is tennis balls and sometimes sensory toys for squeezing. Your local Walmart may have the 65cm exercise balls you can use for a birth ball. Other than that, I’m a solid Amazon shopper for birth support supplies. I’ll add the links below to every single thing I have in my doula bag from Amazon, and tell you what I like about it. There are a few additional products I’ll add in here if you want to try it out.
If there’s anything you see here that you don’t want to add to your doula bag at this time, feel welcome to send the link to your clients so they can purchase their own. I do have a birth support supplies section directed at pregnant women on this page.
If you are just starting out, start small and grow your bag as you learn how to use things. I recommend starting out with a 9-foot rebozo, a pack of wooden combs, and some low-cost items from the Dollar Tree such as hand fans, lip balm, hair ties. We can do a lot with a little.
As you expand what you teach, I would bring more items as samples of support tools they may like. Have it on hand at the birth. Nobody uses all the things. Most people seem to pick 2 or 3 things they like to use, and those are their birth tools.
I try to bring as much as I can. There are two reasons for that. One being that I use that to make my services look like a better value. I charge a living wage, and I know I’m one of the most expensive doulas in my area. Having supplies they can use means they don’t have to spend the money themselves to buy their own support supplies. I keep the supplies. It adds value to what I’m offering. For two, I like this kind of stuff. I love birth and I love birth support tools. I enjoy having the variety of things that I do. What can I say? I’m a birth enthusiast.
Alright. Let’s get into it. Here are all the birth support supplies I can possibly think of. Again, you don’t need to buy all of this if you are new. You can if you want to if you’ve got the money. If not, it’s okay to get a little more with each new client.
Almost everything in my doula bag is from Amazon. There are a few things I get elsewhere. I go to the Dollar Tree for hand fans. I also get lip balm, hair ties, other hair accessories, low-cost combs, and bendy straws from the Dollar Tree. If a momma happens to need those things, I can give them to her without me spending a lot of money. The only thing I get at Walmart is tennis balls and sometimes sensory toys for squeezing. Your local Walmart may have the 65cm exercise balls you can use for a birth ball. Other than that, I’m a solid Amazon shopper for birth support supplies. I’ll add the links below to every single thing I have in my doula bag from Amazon, and tell you what I like about it. There are a few additional products I’ll add in here if you want to try it out.
If there’s anything you see here that you don’t want to add to your doula bag at this time, feel welcome to send the link to your clients so they can purchase their own. I do have a birth support supplies section directed at pregnant women on this page.
BIRTH BALLS
A birth ball is a great tool for labor. It’s nice for pregnancy too. If you are under 5’1” get a 55cm ball. If you are 5’1” – 5’10” get the 65cm ball. If you are taller than 5’10” get a 75cm ball. We want the knees to be at a 90-degree angle with the hips. We don’t want her knees higher than her hips or much lower.
- My favorite birth ball is the Baby Go brand. It comes in several colors. – https://amzn.to/3Jn9CVf
- Tumaz birth ball kit - https://amzn.to/4nakMKL
- The Trideer is also popular - https://amzn.to/4hjYPrj
- Birth ball pump - https://amzn.to/4nc7AoQ The above birth balls will come with a pump. This option is something you can bring to the hospital if their birth balls and peanut balls are low and they can’t find the pump (it happens). It’s convenient to have this.
PEANUT BALLS
Check with your hospital before you buy a peanut ball. In my area, the local hospitals have them in the labor rooms. If yours does not, these can help with positioning and bringing baby down deeper into the pelvis.
- Baby Go peanut ball – https://amzn.to/3LkEXZa
- Inpany peanut ball - https://amzn.to/3Wey3as
- Milliard peanut ball (may need to add pillows with this one) - https://amzn.to/4o4jyCg
REBOZOS
I absolutely love rebozos. It’s one of my favorite tools. Pay attention to the length when you are shopping for one. The cheaper ones are usually shorter, around 6 or 7 feet long. Some of the positions we use a rebozo for will be fine with a 6 foot one, but other methods we need the longer ones that are about 9 feet. If you are a newer doula or on a budget, I think it’s easier to just get one. If you’re a doula that likes having a few rebozos, I will link to some shorter ones I like too.
This is the one I recommend for births. It’s long enough for everything and cheap enough that it’s not a big loss financially if it gets bodily fluids on it. They are also a little wider which some mommas have told me they prefer.
- Black – https://amzn.to/43tSioz
- Darker blue – https://amzn.to/4hZbfoZ
- Royal blue – https://amzn.to/3LCMPWm
- Green – https://amzn.to/3WVNEfi
- Red – https://amzn.to/48k2VvR
- White – https://amzn.to/4p8oYfx
I also love these calmer colors from the Baby Tropez store. They aren’t always in stock, but they usually come back in stock. So, add it to your wish list if any of these are not in stock when you click on it.
- Oatmeal (As a neutral colors girl who favors shades of brown/cream, I got this beauty and I love this one a lot!!) - https://amzn.to/3KWoSZO
- Purple – https://amzn.to/4nZ27TB
- Mint - https://amzn.to/3KUJBND
- Green - https://amzn.to/47c0P0g
- Turquoise - https://amzn.to/47yGVhi
- Blue - https://amzn.to/4nXe2RE
Here are few shorter ones I think are really pretty.
The Baby Trapez store has a few 8 feet long ones.
- This lavender one is beautiful - https://amzn.to/4qgWUYG
- Darker purple - https://amzn.to/43p1iLt
- Orange - https://amzn.to/3L6gp6d
- This is a 7 foot one that comes in multiple color options - https://amzn.to/4qkpvMM
- This is a low-cost 6 foot one that comes in multiple color options - https://amzn.to/48y4Lea
TENS MACHINE
- This is the TENS machine I have been using for years - https://amzn.to/4ngeb1I
- Here is another one that is highly rated - https://amzn.to/3JlMy9k
- Here are the replacement pads that I order. I like this pack because it comes with a variety of sizes. - https://amzn.to/4htOKbx
They also make TENS machines specifically for labor. Those are pricier. It’s something to consider.
SQUEEZE THIS IF YOU MUST
Of course, I teach that we should avoid clenching our fists in labor because it can add tension to the body. It’s best to have open, relaxed hands during contractions. That said, if you find yourself clenching put something in your hands to squeeze. I think it’s a good idea to have some squeezable items in your doula bag. Squeezing a wooden comb utilizes the gate theory of pain management. These wooden combs can also be used along the acupressure points in the palm.
I love the wooden combs for labor. I have more than a few!
- This kit of 8 is the best ever. I really, really like these! I actually use these myself just because it feels good. This set is nicely pokey and each comb has a little bit of a different feel. - https://amzn.to/47yIjAw
- Here is an official labor comb - https://amzn.to/4ncSKOM
- This birth comb comes with an optional wrist strap - https://amzn.to/3J70LXM
- Here is a labor comb - https://amzn.to/4hk1rp7
- This is a smoother one if that’s more comfortable - https://amzn.to/4oxUcN4
- Something thicker like this may be easier on the hands - https://amzn.to/4o0rCnF
Some like to squeeze spiky reflexology balls too.
- Set of 3 – https://amzn.to/4oB65BC
You can also squeeze stress balls. I recommend getting larger ones so your hands aren’t as clenched.
- This is a 6 pack I have in my doula bag - https://amzn.to/3KRmX8V
- Here is a 4 pack with motivational sayings - https://amzn.to/47hHECe
HEAT FOR COMFORT
As the doula, you want to provide items that can be safely cleaned and reused from client to client. You may prefer to recommend they get rice bags or corn bags for themselves.
The old-fashioned rice bags or corn bags are a nice way to have a heat pack that lasts. Here are a couple options from Amazon.
The British (or English) rubber hot water bottles are another classic way to have some heat. I recommend getting the ones you can see through especially if you are doula just in case of mold growth. Make sure you dry them out well.
- Samply hot water bottle with a sweater cover - https://amzn.to/43p7vqL
BIRTH POOLS
You certainly do not need to provide a birth pool. Some doulas will choose to rent out birth pools as a way to make extra money and possibly lead to clients. If you are serving home birth mommas, this is something to consider. Otherwise, you can share this link with your clients so they can purchase their own.
- Here a beautiful white birth pool with a liner - https://amzn.to/4o2jbYT
- Large Earthside birth pool in marshmallow white - https://amzn.to/3JOhi3a
- Birth Pool in a Box, blue - https://amzn.to/4742nL9
- This is the liner that goes with the regular size birth pool in a box - https://amzn.to/4p8ryCf
- Fish net for water birth - https://amzn.to/4qrSPBk
COOL DOWN
There are a couple different types of fans you may bring for birth support. Here’s my 2 cents on the different fan options.
- The paper folding fans the Dollar Tree has around the 4th of July is the cheapest option. They have a good breeze to them. However, they do rip easier than the other options. They also can't get wet.
- The folding hand fans from The Dollar Tree are great. They are the cutest option with some really pretty patterns available. They’re definitely affordable. I have been using these for years and they hold up well. These are the preferred option for me.
- If your local Dollar Tree doesn’t have any, you can find them online. They’re called Spanish folding fans or Spanish hand fans. They are more expensive on Amazon, but there are also very pretty options.
- Frisbee fans are the best breeze out of all of these types. They can also get wet. The only downside is they do make a little bit of crinkly noise. That may bother some people.
- Stroller fans are very popular to bring nowadays. I feel like the manual hand fans give a better breeze, but the stroller fans are nice too.
- Handheld electric fans are also an option.
- They also make neck fans that come on a lanyard. I have seen women use these as we walk the hospital halls during labor.
Try out some different options. If you find you (or your clients) like the frisbee fans, you’ll save money by buying them in bulk.
Spanish folding fans on Amazon
- 4 pack - https://amzn.to/3Wg6rBD
- 10 pack - https://amzn.to/3LAa97d
- 12 pack – https://amzn.to/42OAFPS
- 36 pack - https://amzn.to/3JWqq5R
Frisbee fans
- 3 pack, fruit design – https://amzn.to/3KYnmX0
- 4 pack, flowers – https://amzn.to/42OCqws
- 12 pack, blue and pink flowers – https://amzn.to/49mdZuv
- 12 pack, two styles – https://amzn.to/3K2eFuC
- 16 pack, fruit design – https://amzn.to/4r1Ajjh
- 24 pack, multiple styles – https://amzn.to/47JUryX
Electronic options
- Stroller fan with flexible legs – https://amzn.to/3Wg1NDG
- Handheld electric fan – https://amzn.to/47Fn7bd
- AOCOOLFAN rechargeable USB neck fan on a lanyard – https://amzn.to/4ne5hS4
- O2COOL battery operated neck fan on a lanyard – https://amzn.to/3LNVMvT
Ice packs
- This is the set of 3 ice packs I have. I like them. The variety of sizes is useful. I feel like the quality is good. I’ve had these for several years. You can use these for ice and cold water OR use them for hot water. The versatility is nice. – https://amzn.to/43lfEwm
FOR PRESSURE THAT FEELS GOOD
While I mostly do counter-pressure with my hands, we can also use a few tools to help.
- 3 pack of tennis balls – https://amzn.to/4hoAIrJ
- Bulk pack of tennis balls that comes in fun colors - https://amzn.to/3M3LyaN
- Lacrosse balls – https://amzn.to/4nYrox0
A LITTLE BEAUTY SUPPORT
Lip balm is a good thing to have. I won’t use any bath or beauty products that are tested on animals. Sometimes they end up going to the hospital straight from the doctor’s office or they lose the lip balm they thought they had packed in their bag. This is a low-cost thing we can bring for their comfort that costs us very little if we need to give them lip balm.
- Palmer’s cocoa butter lip balm 6 pack - https://amzn.to/47Zkb9s
- Earth’s Daughter 6 pack - https://amzn.to/3K6aSMO
- Multiple options for packs of Naturistic lip balm - https://amzn.to/3XwC2Q1
Hair ties are another thing that costs little to have on hand if they need them.
- Hair ties – https://amzn.to/4oAx68x
A LITTLE MORE COMFORT
- These non-slip socks are a nicer alternative to hospital socks that still have the grip bottoms and also are not tight on the ankles – https://amzn.to/42OzBeO
Hankies are old-fashioned, but there’s something about them that feels so nostalgic for special events. Birth is a special event. I like to have cute floral hankies in my doula bag. I personally use hankies instead of disposable tissues. I’ve bought most of these packs and used them for years. They are good quality and durable. Again, this is a low-cost per item option you can add to your doula bag to go above and beyond without spending much money if they need/want one.
- Roses pack of 6 - https://amzn.to/3JkQ0Ba These are on the bigger side
- Floral pack of 12 - https://amzn.to/4njeHvV
- Floral pack of 20 – https://amzn.to/3WgCxNB
- Floral pack of 40 – https://amzn.to/42OLqSn
- Floral pack of 60 - https://amzn.to/4hndhPp
- Scriptures with flowers – https://amzn.to/4o5B1Kw
If you use essential oils, there are a few that can be helpful for birth. I put these on cotton balls and put them in a sandwich bag. That way, momma can smell what is helpful to her in the moment but if the smell starts to bother her we can easily seal the bag (instead of using a diffuser where the aroma will linger.)
- Peppermint oil (helps with nausea and using the bathroom after birth) - https://amzn.to/47drWtj
- Ginger for nausea - https://amzn.to/48BrRAB
- Lavender for calming - https://amzn.to/4oaPHIw
- Lemon - https://amzn.to/3WhSlQo
- If you are interested in using essential oils for labor, this kit from Eden’s Garden may be more cost-effective than buying individually - https://amzn.to/4o32fBm
DON’T FORGET
Don't forget batteries. You don’t need to provide them with batteries for their stuff. You might want to have some batteries in your bag in case your own supplies need a replacement.
- Don’t forget batteries for anything that needs it. - https://amzn.to/47g6PFb
- AA and AAA is what all of my supplies use - https://amzn.to/48d2fJz
- And the batteries for tea lights - https://amzn.to/47j1SLU
You’ll need chargers for your phone and a couple of wireless birth support supplies as well. For the hospital, choose longer cords. I keep a spare charger in my car. I also keep a charger in my overnight bag for my own use. What I do is throw my old chargers in my doula bag in case anyone can use it. I don’t provide chargers for clients. If you want to be the doula that has it all, adding chargers to your bag for client use is something to think about. No one wants a dead phone at the hospital.
- USB-C charger 10’ cord (for iPhone 15 and newer) – https://amzn.to/4oydoKw
- Lighting charger 10’ cord – https://amzn.to/4qq30WY
- Micro USB charger (older Androids) – https://amzn.to/4ow2tRA
- Dual wall charger for USB-A and USB-C cords - https://amzn.to/4o1eDSF
- 2 pack of dual wall chargers - https://amzn.to/4hmjN9g
- Here is a surge protector power strip with 12 regular outlets, 3 USB-A, and 1 USB-C outlet - https://amzn.to/4o4oN4W
BIRTH ATMOSPHERE/ENVIRONMENT
One thing we do as doulas is influencing the environment to be more soothing and comforting for her. We can do that with soft lighting, sound, affirmations. I let them bring the more expensive items such as speakers and sound machines or star projectors if they want. I focus more on soft lighting.
SOFT LIGHTING
Low-lighting is commonly preferred during labor. It’s a good idea to add some soft lighting options to your birth plans. I have a whole collection of lights from Christmas lights (white and colored) to fairy lights to electric tealights. Here are some options.
- Clear lights on brown wire - https://amzn.to/42T9zqW
- White Christmas lights – https://amzn.to/48zroim
- Colored Christmas lights if that makes you happy – https://amzn.to/3KXIXyS
- Curtain lights – https://amzn.to/47yaD65
- Curtain lights with stars - https://amzn.to/49jZS8G
- Fairy lights – https://amzn.to/3L1o3Pd
- Electric candles 24 pack – https://amzn.to/4qm39KV
- Electric candles, remote control, 9 pack - https://amzn.to/3LHqnv5
- Electric tealights that flicker – https://amzn.to/4ndD9OU
- Some people like star or galaxy projectors – https://amzn.to/4qiqzRg
SOUND
You can play music on your phone or tablet. Some people bring speakers.
- Bluetooth speaker - https://amzn.to/48zFJLH
- ColourNoise sound machine - https://amzn.to/474EVNS
- Ear plugs – https://amzn.to/42T5SBA
HANG AFFIRMATIONS
I encourage women to write their own affirmations. If you want, you can have some you make (or purchase) that you keep on hand.
- Index cards - https://amzn.to/47ogYA1
- These are blank craft cards that have multiple color options - https://amzn.to/47eehAJ
- Tape – https://amzn.to/3WSb1WQ
- Clothespins – https://amzn.to/4qnSS0N
- Twine for hanging affirmations - https://amzn.to/49fvSLh
- Ribbon – https://amzn.to/4hhLBLO
You can hang affirmations on the wall, doors, or even tape them on the bed rails. Put up a string or twine to clothespin them up. You can even get the tiny clothespins and add some onto any string lights that are hanging. I think it’s cute to tape up ribbon and clothespin some affirmations or scripture on cute ribbon.
WHAT ELSE IS IN YOUR DOULA BAG?
Can you think of anything I haven’t added here? So often, we learn from each other. One random thing I keep in my doula bag not mentioned here is clothespins. If her gown is showing too much and she doesn’t want to wear two gowns, we can use clothespins to pull it together.
Another tip:
I organize my doula bag with pencil bags I can see through. I love organization. Choosing something see through makes it easy for clients to get in my bag if they want to grab something. Here are the pencil bags I use.
- Pastel options - https://amzn.to/3JCljaX
- other colors - https://amzn.to/47MwrLG
- 6 pack - https://amzn.to/4o2ZT4S
- 2 pocket - https://amzn.to/44e0FVn
Another thing I recommend having either in your doula bag or in your birth supplies is a box of gloves and a box/bag of masks. Birth can get splashy. If you’re cleaning up bodily fluids or potentially coming into contact with blood, amniotic fluid, breast milk, etc… wear gloves. It’s also a good idea to have masks available if your clients are sick. These are what I have.
- Gloves – https://amzn.to/3XCPthj
- Masks – https://amzn.to/4pcYp96
One more random thing I have is a small box of alcohol swabs because it can help with nausea. It doesn’t hurt to have emesis bags either. Give them one for the car ride.
- Alcohol swabs – https://amzn.to/43wVaB5 I like this brand
- Emesis bags – https://amzn.to/49TCFdN
I also keep a travel pack of disinfecting wipes and several plastic bags for items that need cleaned.
Stay tuned for more categories to come :)
Is there anything else you have in your birth bag that you would recommend I try? I'd like to know what other Amazon products you recommend for professionals in women's health. Feel welcome to email me via the contact page.