Doula handouts

[mysticmomma]

WHat do you give out? I have a nutrition, birthplan and fetal positioning handout. WHAT else could I add?
T

[Raven]

I cover things like breastfeeding and circ too.. facts facts facts.

I also have a booklet on the different drugs used in hospitals and their pros and cons as well as the policies of most hospitals here. I also have info on the physiological side of pregnancy and birth if the mother is interested.

I just talk with each client and as time goes by I get a feel for what she needs to know and offer to give her info on whatever her concerns are and that helps me expand the info I have. Its an ongoing process really of gathering as much info as possible on all things pregnancy and birth related.

[pjabslenz]

I have included pregnancy related articles and info, breastfeeding info and LLL contact #'s for our area, vaccine info and various resources for my clients to research and make informed decisions. I have a book & list of recommended readings & some videos that I have found helpful in my own journey with pregnancy, birth & parenting.

Recently, my friend delivered her baby (she lives out of state so I wasn't at her birth) but her doc pulled and tugged on her umbilical cord after the baby was born. Everything about her birth was exactly as she planned except for the afterbirth. She hemmoraged as a result and needed a transfusion. After hearing her story, I have decided to include some information on the final stage of labor, in hopes of a friend or client avoiding such an experience.

Talking to my clients about their fears is another way that I can assess what information I need to share.

HTH,

[MistyB]

transition to parenthood has great cbe info that you can use.

[dace101]

All of the above. Also:
Pregnancy Bill of Rights
Bishops Induction Score Card
Vacuum Risks
What to expect immediately after birth and the first 6 weeks (covers tears, hemorrhoids, sitz baths, clotting, colostrum/breastmilk, lochia, emotional changes, etc)
And SOOOO many more - information overkill!
The best thing I can offer women is knowledge and preparation.

[Belle]

I would also include something about PPD and where to get help if she needs it.

[doula and mom]

WOW, great thread. I'm a relatively new doula, not certified yet, and I'm always interested in what I can add to help my clients. The smallass town in which I live only has one hospital, with very nazi-like policies during labor/delivery, which sucks. :(

[JanetF]

How about a thorough explanation of models of care? We need to get across to women that hospital birth is the complex, dangerous and difficult way to go so they're prepared if that's what they really want to do. I give LOTS of info on how hospitals work and how to swing it to your advantage that women who go into hospitals unprepared just don't know :( And a list of books as well as websites which see normal phsyiological birth as desirable and important rather than a painful, difficult option that you're just lucky if you manage it. I also have massive lists of ways to manage labour and information on common side effects of drugs and interventions. You're not really choosing if you don't know what you're choosing, right?

[doula and mom]

Dumb Q: where do you get these hand-outs? Can you list some sites you've gotten the info from?

[mysticmomma]

I just make them up. Be glad to share later when I'm all finished.

[Desdamona]

I used a lot of the PP's examples as well as:


Penny Simkin's Key Questions to Care
Examples of various laboring and birthing positions (their pro's and con's)
Suggestions for an "early" birth plan -- go for a walk, take a shower/bath, make a birthing day cake, rest and if possible sleep... for the time before mom needs active support.
a list of local LLL leaders and meeting, with the offer to attend a meeting with them prenatally
pamphlets for local Natual Mothering group and other like minded groups
Basic baby care (what's normal and what's not)


And for more naturally inclined clients


herbal supplements and homepathics info


That's all I can think of right now, but I am sure there was more that I am forgetting.

[dace101]

Dumb Q: where do you get these hand-outs? Can you list some sites you've gotten the info from?

It's honestly not a "dumb question", hehe. :wink I write the majority of mine myself (unless I am directly quoting a long article etc). Actually, it comes from reading a LOT of books and making yourself as knowledgable on subjects as possible. I would feel a little wierd just giving out "ready-made" forms I think...

If you're not as good at wording and preparing fliers/pamphlets/handouts, a good place to get some ideas to kickstart you might be http://www.transitiontoparenthood.com/ttp/ (Transition to Parenthood site someone mentioned in an earlier post). Honestly, the best thing you can do is to read a lot of books that cover a wide range of topics that relate to birth.

Try looking at reading lists for different Doula certification, or online Doula and Childbirth Educator resources for starters to a well-rounded knowledge base about birth etc and some ideas on what women want/need to know can be helpful. A great book is "Obstetric Myths Vs Research Realities" by Henci Goer, but can be a bit expensive - around $50 for the paperback - so try your local library (this book covers a lot of topics so that you can be better prepared to answer any client questions with some research facts to back you up when the information may be contradictory to what their care provider is telling them).

Good luck on getting your handouts together. If you need more help, don't hesitate to ask!

[demetria]

I have aton of handouts I give out at demetria.net/article.htm (http://demetria.net/article.htm)
I have alot on hand and use them as I need them depending on the momma:)

[HeatherE]

I also give the pain managment preference scale, a circ. handout, a sample of lansinoh on a sore nipples handout (call lansinoh and they'll give them for free), writing a birth plan info, breastfeeding skills checklist, using a birth ball handout, tha's all i can think of right now...

[Thmom]

I include "common interventions"
dealing with fears
pregnancy excersise
I also have a little chart I give them that has "chores" and "supplies" at the top where I tell them to put in a common household chore and then where the supplies are located to do that chore and to put it on thier coffee table after the birth. At the top it says something about how mom doesn't need help holding a baby, but she does need help with the house. There's also a place to put a grocery list of items they typically buy every week and are likely to need soon after the birth.

[Belle]

:notes:

[mysticmomma]

Thanks!

[tnrsmom]

Thank you all for the fabulous info. I have my first appt with a potential client (my first!!) this evening and now I will have lots of info for her. :)