Hey doulas(or midwives or whomever)!!!

459 Views 6 Replies 7 Participants Last post by barbara, Apr 6, 2006

Lizzo

Discussion Starter · Apr 5, 2006

I want to go to a doual training in May. It's 3 days and about 5 hours from my home. It is from the 5-7th. But there's a catch (isn't there always?). I have a client due the 12th. This is her 2nd baby and she went to 42ish weeks last time.
Should I risk going? Would that be irresponsible of me? What would you do?

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Charmie981

· #2 · Apr 5, 2006

I think it depends on what your contract says, and whether you've taken any money or mentioned to this client the possibilty that you might be gone. I have a section of my contract about "scheduled absences," but I think 1 month to EDD is a little late to spring it on her if you haven't mentioned it at all yet.

I'll tell you that according to my contract, I wouldn't feel comfortable going. As a doula (which I don't do very often, admittedly), I commit to being on call from 38-42 weeks, and "on call" means able to get to her birth within an hour of the time she calls me. If I didn't tell her about this possible absence in the beginning of my working with her, I wouldn't do it.

There's always the chance she'll have her baby early and you can go with no worries, I guess

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doula and mom

· #3 · Apr 5, 2006

Ita with the PP -- also, do you have a backup doula?

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courtenay_e

· #4 · Apr 5, 2006

If you HAVE discussed this with her, I'd make sure that you have a backup, and that they have met and that your client is comfortable with the backup, and then go and learn. Who knows, she might go the day you come back...and benefit from what you've learned. But only if you've already discussed it with her. Otherwise, there are always more workshops coming up!

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onlyboys

· #5 · Apr 5, 2006

I'd not go either. Chances are, she'll stay pregnant, but that worry will get you!

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mamato3cherubs

· #6 · Apr 6, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by courtenay_e
If you HAVE discussed this with her, I'd make sure that you have a backup, and that they have met and that your client is comfortable with the backup, and then go and learn. Who knows, she might go the day you come back...and benefit from what you've learned. But only if you've already discussed it with her. Otherwise, there are always more workshops coming up!

I agree with this, If you have a Back up, and she is comfortable withthe situation, then go! I think really it depends on how your client feels about you going. Have you mentioned it before? Talk to her.

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barbara

· #7 · Apr 6, 2006

I was recently out of town when a client went into labor 2 weeks early. It worked out well, I was only 2 and a half hours away and I sent my back-up to be with her until I could get there. I made it in plenty of time to enjoy a lovely walk with her around the lake, and the baby wasn't born until the wee hours of the morning. It was great to have my back-up there for the birth also (she is my daughter and we work so well together!)

The only draw back was that we were all so tired! I really recommend getting lots of sleep in the weeks surrounding a birth so that you can manage with little sleep if the birth goes long or is timed at the end of a long day.

maybe there will be another workshop after the birth?

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