Postpartum Doula Skills CH.1

Getting Started as a Postpartum Doula

What is a midwife?

care providers who emphasize birth as a healthy event, not a medical emergency, and have a broad range of education and experience that. They offer individualized care as well as clinical and informational support for clients, before and after the baby is born

What are the different types of midwives?

Certified nurse midwife - nursing degrees as well as additional training in midwifery

Certified professional midwives and Licensed midwives (CPMs and LMs) - trained solely as midwives

Lay/Traditional midwives - may have formal or informal training in midwifery through schooling or apprenticeship

What are obstetricians?

surgical specialists, support from OBs generally comes in the form of medical care. They do not provide medical care for the baby and care is not as individualized

What are family doctors / general practitioners?

provides medical care for both the baby and mom

What is a pediatrician?

doctor who specializes in the car of babies and children, not mom

What are home health care visitors?

only available in a few countries, the health care worker usually performs check ups for mom and baby’s health and provides support in other areas

What are lactation specialists?

They provide information, guidance, and support on a wide range of breastfeeding situations while equipping parents with problem solving skills. They work with clients at the beginning and full duration of breastfeeding journey

What are childbirth educators?

They meet with parents during pregnancy to provide information and education while also emphasizing the development of new skills

What are complementary practitioners?

health care professionals who offer beneficial services to new families - chiropractors, pelvic floor physiotherapists, nutritionists, psychotherapists, etc

What aren’t the roles of a postpartum doula?

Clinical tasks

Giving a diagnosis, recommendations, or advice

What is the opening a door concept?

showing a client different ways to approach parenting choices which is valuable and necessary but taking any steps is the client’s accomplishment alone

list practical tasks of a postpartum doula

prepare family meals and snacks

clean the baby’s clothes

comfort and hold the baby while the parents rest of take a shower

light housekeeping

preparing bottles of milk

support a breastfeeding mom who is experiencing basic lactation problems

provide information on home safety, infant care, and infant feeding

provide information on resources and community support

list responsibilities of a postpartum doula

supporting clients and respecting their choices

refraining from giving advice or recommendations

providing evidence based care

assisting client in developing skills

working in a professional manner

What is the first step when contacting a new client?

find out more abut what the client wants, then show how you can provide that instead of listing out everything I can do

Checklist for the first contact?

What is the client looking for?

What dates are they considering / am I available at that time?

Potentially sending an email with fees, payment schedule, contract, and brief “about me”

Schedule an appointment to meet in person / follow up a week later if no appointment was made