How to Prepare for Clients

[happyday8598]

What all do you ladies do for clients. Pamphlets, mag articles, videos... How do you help them out with information about the benefits of natural childbirth, and the benefits and risks of medical interventions so that your client can make an informed decision.

I want to put this all together so that I can be ready to go with my first client, and have IDEAS of what I'd like to do, but was interested in how others do it, and getting MORE ideas!

Love,
Emily

[Modesto Doula]

I dont give my clients a whole lot, as in pamphlets and such. I do allow access to my lending library, which more or less means that I bring certain books to them to read to let them make their own decisions, and ask if they'd like to read any others I have. The only books I recommend for nearly everyone are The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth and Sears' The Birth Book . I usually end up lending out a few more with these, everything from The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding to Your Baby's First Year , depending on the needs of the client.
I give links to lots of great websites and am putting together CD-ROMs of information for clients. (The way Im going with these, it might be a while!) I also make sure they get phone numbers and informtation for LLL and LC's who can help if they need it postpartum.
I am thinking of putting together a small gift basket for my current client with some Mothers Milk tea and Lansinoh, and possibly a sleeper for the baby.

[SJane]

I put together a folder with my own background, nutirtional information I think is important and receipes for pregnancy tea and postpartum bath. I also include free brochures I got from mothering and motherwear. They will just send you those for no charge. And in the folder I also include my questionare and agreement for them to fill out when they decide to go w/ my services.
Good luck with your first client

[CookieMonsterMommy]

I hand out info, make sure that they're informed about the "big" issues (meds, circ, BFing, etc), make sure that they have written a birth plan (I offer help in writing this up if they'd like) and that both I and the doc/mw have a copy of it.

AND I insist that they take independant Childbirth classes-meaning not at a hospital (I know, I'm evil ). It can be Bradley, Lamaze, Hypno, ALACE, whatever. They can take it with me (i offer my doula clients classes real cheap-$20) or I can refer them somewhere, or they can find someoneon their own-I don't care as long as they take classes. I even have it in my contract that it is a requirement.

I make sure that I am VERY clear on my scope of practice. I don't make decisions, I won't be held responsible for negative birth outcomes, I can't promise a "natural" birth, etc etc etc.

Of course I tell them which books and resources I suggest (Mothering and MDC at the top of that list, as well as The Birth Partner, Having a Baby Naturally, Henci Goers book, Pregnant Feelings and Special Delivery by Rahima Baldwin, etc). I also have a lending library for them to borrow books.

Best Wishes, Kelly

[be11ydancer]

What a great thread! I'm copying and pasting all these ideas into a Word document so I can use them when I start my doula business next summer. Great ideas, everyone!

[stayinghome]

Ok. i give them papers on episiotomy, an overview of the stages of labor and what to expect during each stage, the "pain med. preference scale, and paperwork on writing a birth plan on one side of a folder. Then the other side has post-partum info in it such as circumcision, a sample of lansinoh and some lll handouts, and a post partum- care sheet. I glue my business card on one side and my back up's on the other. this folder they keep. I have a separate folder for each client that is mine, and I have a bright pink 1/2 sheet of info on them with address, directions, where they are birthing, and phone numbers. that pink paper has kept me so organized! Also an info sheet that details stuff like how she likes to be touched, what kind of support they are seeking, prev. pregnancies, whether they want photos, etc... and the last paper in there is a few sheets that I fill out while the labor and birth is taking place, and is what i use to write the story later.

I'll do one big pre-natal that takes 2-3 hours, or two smaller ones. First one, I cover pain med preferences, have an info sheet that I fill out, and just basically listen to what they are needing from me. The second pre-natal I tailor to how the first goes, but always go over comfort measures, reviewing a birth plan if they have it, and post partum and breastfeeding. then the birth, then a post-partum visit to give them a birth story and make sure all is well.
Hope this helps!

[stayinghome]

oh! forgot to add that at their consult, I give them "Dads and doulas," and "What is a doula", available from dona, and a copy of my contract.

[PapayaVagina]

I have a binder with copies of all kinds of articles in it that I would let families borrow. I specifically went looking for information that is not available in typical classes, magainzes, and books. I have info on patient rights, lotus birth, not restricting sodium, fetal positioning, ultrasound, birth rituals, baby wearing, cloth diapering, lots of pics from the back pages of midwifery today magazines showing women giving birth in different positions, and tons of other stuff.

I also have a big lending library with some videos including a video of a friend of mine giving birth and making really loud noises (usually watch that with them and narrate what was happening. I think it helps the dads hear those sounds, nothing like the real thing!)

I also have handouts on episiotomy, supporting women through birth, kegels, making informed decisions, pain med preference scale, breastfeeding, etc. I made a huge file and put in copies of articles that I liked whenever I saw them. I give out different information (breech, VBAC, homebirth, etc.) just depending on what the family is looking for.

Good luck!

[mamaley]

i offer my doula clients classes real cheap-$20)

cookiemonstermommy, what do you go over in your class?