This is the continuation of the first part of this blog post. Please read below what happens once you’ve decided you want to work with me as your doula:

Step 4: 1st Prenatal Appointment and Birth Plan

In our first prenatal appointment I usually meet the parents at their home or at whatever location they chose. In this meeting I get to know my clients even better and get a better understanding of what they really want during their birth and more importantly what they don’t want. This meeting usually lasts for 1-2 hrs and we work together on creating a birth plan for them. I bring a birth preference template that we use to discuss all different options they have during their birth, depending on their place of birth. Once the template is filled out I leave that paperwork with them and encourage them to write their birth preferences in their own words. In a birth plan we cover the following topics and more: 

1. How do you want to spend early labor?
2. What kind of comfort measures do you think you want to use during labor?
3. What kind of pain management are you open to?
4. Do you want to be offered pain management by your care team or not?
5. What positions do you want to push in?
6. What kind of support do you want for the pushing phase?
7. What kinds of interventions are most likely to be offered by your care team and what do you want to consider?
8. How do you want to spend the first few hours with your new baby?
9. What kind of vaccines and treatments do you want for your baby?
10. What do you want to do with your placenta?

As a doula I’ll help you find answers to all of these questions and more, so you can create a birth preference sheet to share with your healthcare team. You can use it to discuss your options with your OB-GYN or Midwife as well as make your intentions clear with your nurses and care team at the place of birth. 

Step 5: 2nd Prenatal Appointment – Comfort Measures and Postpartum Plan

In our 2nd prenatal appointment I like to discuss the postpartum period and find out what my clients expect from this special time. I bring another template that we can fill out together or at least discuss where we’ll write down different favorite things of the birthing person, such as favorite snacks, drinks and movies/shows. I educate my clients about what to expect as far as recovery during the postpartum period and how their families and friends can help make this time easier and more enjoyable. 

In this prenatal appointment we also talk about different comfort measures that I’ll provide during their labor and birth. For this appointment I also bring my bag of tricks where I keep my doula supplies as well as a peanut ball and birth ball if the client doesn’t have one at home. I put the birthing person into different positions that we’ll most likely utilize during labor. I want my clients to be as prepared as possible and trying out different positions can really help ease some of the anxiety for both the birthing person and their partner. 

Step 6: On-Call Period

2 weeks before their estimated due date… that is when this doula goes on call. That means: I am ready to put my life on hold whenever my client needs me. I will be in town, I will have my hospital bag packed and ready in the car and I’ll drop anything I am doing when the call comes. 

Step 7: Birth

24/7 whenever my clients call me, I am available. We talk on the phone and discuss when they want me to join them and where. Sometimes people want to labor at home for as long as possible and sometimes I’ll meet them upon admission to the hospital or birth center. 

When that call comes I get my seven things together, change into my birth uniform and join them at their place of birth or at home. I am there for informational, physical and emotional support. That means that I coach my clients through every single contraction, help them stay as calm as possible and remind them of their goals. I breathe with them and help them keep their focus on this moment. 

During their birth, I also keep a timeline throughout. That means I write down what happened when, what progress was made, what mood everyone was in, what interventions were suggested and who was in the room. At some point during birth (usually in the transition phase) things become hazy around the edges and the birthing person will not be interested in who said what and what is going on around them. Hopefully this summary of their birth from my point of view helps to fill in some holes in their memory.

I stay with my clients about 1-2 hrs after birth to make sure the baby is with mom and dad and has lots of skin to skin contact. I can assist with first breastfeeding attempts and make sure the lactation consultant comes into the room and takes a look as well. 

After ensuring everyone is in newborn bliss and well taken care of, I will say my goodbyes and check in again the next day or later the same day. After a few days I make sure we put our postpartum visit on the calendar. 

Step 7: Postpartum Visit

On our 3rd and final visit, I will come over to the parent’s house again. I usually bring a meal and some small gifts for the new parents and baby. I know that any kind of meal presented to my clients is probably the best kind of postpartum present. 

In this appointment we discuss what happened during birth. I make sure my clients both tell me how they felt during their birth and if they were missing anything. At this time I deliver my birth summary and we discuss different situations during birth  as well as answer any questions.

I usually check in with my clients about 30 days after the birth to help them out in different ways if needed and answer any questions or refer them to healthcare providers that might be helpful.

I hope this explains the process of a doula’s birth work. Of course my program is adjusted to my client’s needs and we can add or subtract any part of it. 

Are you interested in a first consultation to see if we are a good fit?

Call or text me today at 219-309-3831 and reserve your due date now. 

I am looking forward to hearing from you!

Much love, 

Your Doula, Sabine