My birth bag is stocked with everything I use at births.

Gloves: I use a lot of gloves at birth. I use nitrile gloves so I don't have to worry about any latex allergies.  I also use sterile nitrile gloves.  Sterile gloves are used if an internal check is done after membranes are ruptured and for perineal checks after the birth.  If it is a water birth, I will use shoulder length gloves if I put my hands in the birth tub while Mom is in the water.

Blood pressure cuff and stethoscope: Just like in prenatals,  I want to check blood pressure to be sure it is in a healthy range during labor and after birth. 

Pulse-ox sensor: I like using this to get pulse and it is a good tool to have to know how well oxygenated mother's blood is.

Thermometer: Another tool to ensure mother's temperature is within normal range, and to check the newborn's temperature after birth.

Urine sticks: During labor, mom is working hard.  A urine dip can tell me if she has ketones, which are a by product of burning fat.  If ketones are present, I will encourage mom to eat to provide more energy for her body to use.

​Cotton Root Bark Tincture: I would use this if mother's bleeding is concerning or if her uterus is not firm.  It is very effective at causing the uterus to contract.  The mother would have 1 dropperful placed under her tongue and she would hold it there as long as she could, then swallow it. 

Hemostats and scissors: I carry a sterilization pack with sterilized hemostats and scissors in the rare situation where I would want to clamp and cut baby's cord after the head is born but before the body.  Thankfully there are simple things I can do to help baby be born without cutting the cord.  I have never had to use the hemostats or scissors.

Doppler:  During labor, it is challenging to hear fetal heart sounds with a fetoscope.  As baby descends lower into the pelvis, it gets even harder.  The doppler makes it much easier to find the heart sounds.  I like to listen shortly before a contraction starts, during the contraction and shortly after.  Listening in this way gives me a complete picture of how baby is handling contractions.  Baby will react to contractions and there are heart sound changes that can indicate the baby is getting closer to be being born.  If the heart rate drops at the beginning of the contraction, that can indicate that the baby's head is shaping to come through the pelvis. I try to listen every 30 minutes or so.  

Heating pad:  I use this to keep towels warm and to warm up my weighing sling for baby.  Who doesn't like having a fresh, warm towel?!
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Umbilical scissors and cord ties: I carry sterilized umbilical scissors for cutting the cord and sterilized cord ties. I crochet the ties.  I like using them because they are soft and less likely to rub on baby's stomach than the plastic clamps used by hospitals.

Ambubag:  This is a self inflating bag and mask I can use it if baby needs extra help to start breathing.  

Newborn stethoscope:  I use this to check how well baby's lungs are clearing, and also to count respirations and heart rate.

Scale and weighing sling:  I weigh baby as part of the newborn exam I do after birth. 

Measuring mat:  As part of the newborn exam,  I measure baby's length, head, chest and abdominal circumference.  I tried using paper measuring tapes but repositioning baby for each measurement, not to mention the fact that I routinely tore the tapes made my decision to use a measuring mat instead a very easy one.  

My most important tools: My most important tools for baby at birth are observation and intuition.  I observe what is normal and watch to ensure that things stay within normal during birth. Intuition plays a huge part in birth, both Mom's intuition and mine.  It is amazing to me when my intuition lets me tune into the "dance" of birth between baby and Mom.  Intuition helps me prepare for the uniqueness of each birth situation and helps me to support the birth process for both Mom and baby.