# Birth plan and hospital bag

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birth-plan-and-hospital-bag/603902>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [November 23, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birth-plan-and-hospital-bag/603902 "2011-11-23T18:59:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Stendhal\_Syndrome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@Stendhal\_Syndrome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stendhal_Syndrome)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2011, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birth-plan-and-hospital-bag/603902/21 "2011-11-25T05:49:12Z")

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> [@Baker](#):
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> An ignorant non-mother here. What’s a doula?

Doula is a Greek word that literally translates to “servant”.

But basically, the doula is there to provide emotional support during the labor and a doula is there for your non-medical needs. We loved this lady met the other day and she is going to be our doula. They also provide massages, come home and visit a few times after the baby is born and help support mom and baby, provide information and techniques when needed, and act as a buffer between partners if and when things get crazy in the delivery room.😃 Sometimes they even drive you there if the partner can’t make it for some reason, but they are usually present from the time you start having major contractions.

I am hoping the doula is going to do a lot of hand holding and guiding during the labor and assist in making this experience a spiritual one for me.

A midwife on the other hand is like a doctor that mostly recommends and supports non-invasive methods when it comes to childbirth.

Thank you for all the suggestions and tips. I am over packed and I am going to remove a bunch of stuff from the bag. The trashy mags are a great idea so I am going to do that. And oh yeah to the snacks too…

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**Author:** ![Stendhal\_Syndrome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@Stendhal\_Syndrome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stendhal_Syndrome)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2011, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birth-plan-and-hospital-bag/603902/22 "2011-11-25T05:51:52Z")

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> [@Girl\_From\_Mars](#):
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> I’m due again in 6 weeks and have just had a look at my hospital packing list again

Here’s wishing you good luck…😃

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**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2011, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birth-plan-and-hospital-bag/603902/23 "2011-11-25T06:28:31Z")

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> [@Stendhal\_Syndrome](#):
>
> Here’s wishing you good luck…😃

Thanks - and the same to you! Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly.

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**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2011, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birth-plan-and-hospital-bag/603902/24 "2011-11-25T08:51:53Z")

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Having a doula there should help a lot. I think it’s one of the best inventions ever for mama-to-be support. I don’t really have much to add except to say I hope everything goes smoothly for you and for your baby girl. It’s so exciting to have a baby right around Xmas, like the present that just keeps getting better and better.

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