CAr Gadgets and Surviving the Winter Vortex

Ready Chicago?  We're about to get pummeled with some of the coldest temperatures on record this week, and just like any other time of the year, babies are not going to stop being born because of it.  

For you and doulas alike, there are a few things you may want to have — a wholly different kind of doula bag, and more of a doula car.  

Tried and true gadgets and gizmos aplenty this doula has used to get around in Chicago's winter weather: 

• Griptrax - Dibs, snow plows blocking you in, and ice make these a light, and useful necessity.  
  I have already used them twice TODAY, to help my neighbors get out of parking spots that were deceptively treacherous.  They came as a gift two Christmases ago and have paid for themselves over and over. 
  
  
• Ice Melt - sometimes the patch of ice you are parked in, walking across, stuck in, is too ridiculous and you need to clear a wider spread than the Griptrax can manage.  Carrying a bag of Ice Melt in your trunk is great for added weight to keep your rear-wheel drive vehicle from getting out of control, and it gets the job done quickly.
  
  
• Small shovel - I used to drive a car that was low to the road, and the only thing to help get me over the plowed snow banks that got pushed next to and in front of my car was to dig myself out.   
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• Windshield wiper fluid with antifreeze -  The name says it all.  

And other supplies that a doula has on board regardless of weather: 

• Change of clothes
• Water
• Snacks
• Phone charger

Fingers crossed you'll be able to avoid the cold altogether.