Doulas: What's in your client packet?

[Katielady]

Heya!

I've been through training but haven't attended a birth yet- in fact, in about an hour I'm going to have my first client meeting! It's the "coffee meeting' where you chat for a while and she decides if she wants to hire me or not. So nervous and excited!

I put together a folder to give to her, which will serve as my sales pitch and also as a resource for her if she decides to work with me.

In it I put:

-contract
-copy of DONA evaluation form I would eventually need from her
-printout from DONA about "what is a doula" and the benefits of having one
-Some relaxation & mediation exercises
-Stages of labor handout
-sample checklist for what to bring to hospital
-sample birth plan
-labor checklist (stuff to try before going to hospital)
-sheet on how to time contractions

Eventually I'll have a business card in there too but I haven't made them yet.

Does this stuff sound pretty standard? What do you include? Or do you just give them a few handouts about yourself and your services, and save the bigger packet for the prenatal visit after they've hired you?

thanks,
Katie

[Fruitful4Him]

I used to include a ton of information but now this is what I include

a copy of my contract (for them to sign and mail to me along with the check/deposit if they decide to hire me; after I receive this I schedule their first prenatal)

client registration papers (includes how they react to tense situations, what relaxes them, care provider, place of birth, labor hx., etc.) This can be mailed with the contract. Also included is Penny Simpkins Pain Medications Preference Scale and another info sheet on Gather information and good questions to ask when forming a decision for pregnancy and birth.

Everything else is included if/when they hire me in my prenatal binders. (I have 2 for clients to check out; saves on paperwork! Great idea I picked up from another doula on alldoulas forum).

This is what I do.

Warmly,
Jenni, Indiana

[tlcdoula]

I used to give out tons of stuff too, but then found that either they didn't hire me or they lost it and asked for more. When I go for an interview I give them two copies of my contract (one for them to keep and one to mail back to me), copy of my info sheet that includes information on my trainings and education, certifications, etc, and the copies of my brochures and business cards.

I save all of the other stuff for if they actually hire me. I used to put all the information into binders that I would borrow to the families, but now I have it all online for them to check out. Binders and online stuff saves on paper, printing expenses, etc.

I hope you got the client - please let us know.

[DoomaYula]

Just like everyone else, at the initial meeting I don't bring much. I have a website that gives most of my general info. I give them some phone numbers of clients who will give recommendations, if they are interested in talking to other people.

I've found that most people who are interested in having a doula already know what one is, etc. (At least in this small town.)

I have tons of info I give out at prenatals: dangers of induction (I'm in an induction-happy town), typical interventions that our local hospital does, info on pain management techniques, a hx questionaire, etc.

[Inner_Serenity]

Like many others, I don't really include anything in my first meet up...

I let my website do most of the beginning education, if they decide to hire me I mail them the inital intake forms and set up a prenatal session. At the first session I bring the contract, release forms and education notebook for them...

Tia

[Katielady]

Wow, I'm glad I asked. This makes a lot of sense, and I think I might do it that way (not bringing as much to the first meeting).

So my next question would be...when do you do your prenatal visit? When I was pregnant, most of the doulas I met with seemed to have them about 4 weeks before the due date. But I feel like if I wait til then to give the woman all my prenatal info, it might be too late for some of it. I guess that could be what the web site is for. Or, what do you think?

[tlcdoula]

Originally Posted by Katielady

Wow, I'm glad I asked. This makes a lot of sense, and I think I might do it that way (not bringing as much to the first meeting).

So my next question would be...when do you do your prenatal visit? When I was pregnant, most of the doulas I met with seemed to have them about 4 weeks before the due date. But I feel like if I wait til then to give the woman all my prenatal info, it might be too late for some of it. I guess that could be what the web site is for. Or, what do you think?

I do them when it is most convenient for the family. Some want that information very early and some do not. I let them know that I would prefer that their prenatals all be done prior to 38 weeks and everything else is up to them.

Everyone is different and since this is their birth I kind of let them run the show.

[Inner_Serenity]

I prefer to start prenatals in the 6th month finishing them up by week 35-36, especially if I am teaching them Hypnobirthing. Actually the 5th month is even better for Hypno-Moms

I then have a check-in phone discussion once a week from week 37 till birth...

This of course may be skewed depending on when they hire me. If they hire me at week 32, well then we just have sessions every other week...

Tia