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.
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.
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