Doulas- traveling to a birth out of country- need advice

[ralphie76]

I'll be travelling to Prague for 3 weeks, hopefully to be present for my best friend's homebirth (they are there for her DH's sabbatical). When I do births here, I take my big birth bag and ball, and honestly, hardly use anything from my bag at most births.

What do you suggest I take with me? I can't take too much stuff since I'll need clothes/toiletries/personal items for 3 weeks, plus I'm taking gifts etc. to my friends, and will be travelling alone- I don't want to have more bags than I can manage alone on a long international journey.

They bought a birth ball. I was thinking of packing my rice socks, but then thought that those are easy enough to make there... I'm also compiling a list of little things like Tucks and other after birth items to ask my friend about- if she has access to them there, or if I should bring some with me.

I guess I'm just used to the security of my "bag of tricks" even though I seldom use them.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

[courtenay_e]

do you use homeopathy or aromatherapy? If so, I'd definately bring that. I'd ask them to find some light massage oil. Bring a sock for rice, but first ask about the availability of a microwave. Tennis balls for your back labor ball-sock. Straws. Hair ties. I know there are MORE things, small things...but I can't think of them right now.

[ralphie76]

Originally Posted by courtenay_e

do you use homeopathy or aromatherapy? If so, I'd definately bring that. I'd ask them to find some light massage oil. Bring a sock for rice, but first ask about the availability of a microwave. Tennis balls for your back labor ball-sock. Straws. Hair ties. I know there are MORE things, small things...but I can't think of them right now.

Thanks! Since it's a homebirth, there will be a microwave, etc. There is no room for a tub (their place is tiny), but they have the shower and the ball. Stuff like hair ties, straws, etc. are all things that they can get there- I'll add them to my list for her. I'm trying to think about things that would be difficult to get over there...thanks for your help!

[dancindoula]

I actually just did this same thing in February. Honestly what I brought was a sling for her because it was her baby gift and my own 2 hands. That's what I use most of the time anyway. Everything else she can get there if she wants it at all. I brought my notebook for recording birth progress for the birth story. I took photos. Really it went off just like any other birth. Honestly it sounds like you already have what you need and now just need to go and enjoy! And don't forget to post back and let us all know how it goes!

[ralphie76]

Thanks! I will let you know!

[MCsMom]

Are you sure she has a microwave, I would double check? - apts. and kitchens in Prague (Europe) are small.

Have fun, it is a beautiful city and country.

[tlcdoula]

I would start by contacting your friend and asking her if she has access to those things that you normally like to use. Then take the things she doesn't have but you feel you will need.

[ralphie76]

Originally Posted by MCsMom

Are you sure she has a microwave, I would double check? - apts. and kitchens in Prague (Europe) are small.

Have fun, it is a beautiful city and country.

Thanks! Yes, their apartment is TINY, but it does have a microwave- in fact their kitchen basically consists of a counter with a hot plate and a microwave. So that's one less thing... no tub or room for one, and the birth ball doesn't fit in the shower, but we'll make do.

I passed on a list to her of things to get, and the only thing she couldn't get there was witch hazel (her midwife has never heard of it, and they can't figure out what the Czech translation or equivalent would be). So I'm bringing some witch hazel pads for postpartum and a few other little things, but she was able to get most everything else on the list.

[MamaRabbit]

If the rice is already in the sock that means it's an open bag... customs may not let that through because it is "seeds". Trust me, I know from experience... those dogs find everything LOL