🎒 Top 10 Tools Every Doula Should Have in Their Kit

Practical Magic for the Birth and Postpartum Space

When you're called to birth work, your presence, patience and humour are your greatest gifts. But having a thoughtfully packed doula bag can help you show up prepared, grounded, and ready to serve with grace.

Whether you’re attending births or offering postpartum care, here are 10 essential tools every doula should consider for their kit infused with warmth, wisdom, and intention.

1. 🕯 Essential Oils (Lavender, Peppermint, Citrus)

Aromatherapy can soothe nerves, lift energy, or calm nausea during labour. Lavender for rest, peppermint for energy or headaches, citrus to refresh a room these simple oils can do wonders when used with care and consent.

Doula Tip: Use a personal inhaler or cotton pad instead of diffusing in hospital spaces. Ensure staff are aware of the use of essential oils in case of contraindication or the pregnancy of a care provider.

2. 🧘‍♀️ Rebozo or Long Scarf

A rebozo is a traditional Mexican shawl used for comfort measures, belly sifting, hip squeezes, and relaxation. It’s a gentle and powerful tool that honours body and culture.

Note: Ensure respectful exploration of cultural and ethical use of rebozo.

3. 🌿 Herbal Tea or Electrolyte Packets

Birth can be long. You and your client/s both need hydration and nourishment. Herbal teas like raspberry leaf or chamomile, or natural electrolyte mixes, keep energy up gently and lovingly.

Bonus: Carry a thermos and offer warm tea to postpartum parents when appropriate.

4. 🧺 Unscented Massage Oil or Balm

For back rubs, foot rubs, or shoulder tension. Choose high-quality, unscented oil or a gentle balm to use with mindful touch. Always ask consent before use — touch is sacred.

 Hint: Encourage an enthusiastic partner or support person to get involved with massage. 

5. 🧦 Cosy Socks and a Spare Outfit (For You!)

You're often at a birth for hours. Having clean, comfortable clothing and warm socks helps keep you grounded and present. A spare outfit also comes in handy if things get messy and/or wet — and they sometimes do!

Tip: An extra pair of cosy socks for your client are often a welcome gift.

6. 📓 Birth Preferences Worksheet or Visuals

Supportive visual aids such as door signs, posters and focus objects can help your clients communicate their preferences without needing to speak during intense moments. Gentle, inclusive, respectful language in a birth plan/wish list may prompt/alert care providers without the need to disturb the sacredness of birth.

7. 🔦 Battery-Powered Tea Lights (for hospital)

Create a calm, womb-like atmosphere in birth suites with soft, flickering light. Hospitals often have harsh fluorescent lights and your clients will thank you for creating a softer space.

8. 🎶 Mini Bluetooth Speaker

Gentle music, affirmations, or meditative sounds can transform a space. Encourage clients to create their own playlists. These could include one for early labour, another for transition, or a mix for postpartum visits.

9. 🖋 Journal + Pen

For notes, reflections, or writing down affirmations. After the birth, journaling can help you integrate your experience, celebrate growth, and release emotional energy.

Suggestion: Alternately this could be used for capturing the labour and birth from your perspective as their Doula. This allows you to narrate the beautiful and often profound experience you witnessed as your clients transitioned to parenthood – whether this was for the first, second or tenth time. This journal can then be gifted to the clients.

10. 💗 Your Intuition + Open Heart

No matter how packed your doula bag is, you are the most important part of the toolkit. Your ability to listen deeply, hold space, stay present, trust the process and have an (appropriate) sense of humour is what families will remember most.

Trust your knowing. Stay nourished. Be love.

🌕 What Else Might You Need?

Every doula develops their own rhythm and style. Some bring snacks, others carry crystals or oracle cards. Your doula bag should reflect you — your heart, your boundaries, and your vision for the care you offer.