Yet Another Binder question

[jjblondie]

I have been reading all about the whole binder concept and being a new doula-this is all new to me. I know this is a big question but I need BIG HELP!! Can you list what you put in your binders specifically and the purpose of the binder for the clients. I know that sounds like a stupid question but the thought of providing a binder for the client never crossed my mind. What do the clients get from the binder and do they all use it , etc. Hope I was clear enough in the question.

Thanks,

Janna

[amymaew]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjblondie I have been reading all about the whole binder concept and being a new doula-this is all new to me. I know this is a big question but I need BIG HELP!! Can you list what you put in your binders specifically and the purpose of the binder for the clients. I know that sounds like a stupid question but the thought of providing a binder for the client never crossed my mind. What do the clients get from the binder and do they all use it , etc. Hope I was clear enough in the question. Thanks, Janna

Huh. I thought I answered this a week ago lol. Guess not I have two binders - one is pregnancy/labor info and the other is postpartum info. I have articles in my binders - in the pregnancy one there is info about comfort in pregnancy, different 'ailments' they might have (like PUPPPS), different testing (GBS, fetal fibronectin test, etc), labor, cesareans, pain medications, birth plans. The postpartum one has info about recovery, recovery from a cesarean, lochia, sex after childbirth, vaccines, circumcisions. I give them to the clients and they can read them if they want or let them sit and collect dust - it's no skin off my back If they email me with questions or something I'll give them info and mention that if they want more info check out X binder in the X section. HTH!

[MothertheMother]

The reason I turned to the binder idea (and I assume others as well) is because even after just a couple of clients I found myself wanting to print off more and more stuff to share with my client. It started with just a couple of articles that I really liked (one was about "good patient syndrome for instance) and then it was something I found about what kind of questions to ask your doctor. When I was putting together a client folder I realized I kept getting confused as to what I had remembered to print off and wondering if there was there anything missing. I started making a checklist to make sure I didn't forget to add anything and then I read someones post here about the binder idea. So, basically, I think most of us have built mini pregnancy/birth/breastfeeding books for our clients. They are merely a collection of some of our favorite articles we've found in various places. Some of our wise doulas even create their own handouts. There is a huge thread here on alldoulas where members (myself included) have linked many of the articles etc they use if you need a place to start.

[DoulaCBE]

I have a ton of stuff in my binder, too much to list really but here's a tip.

When doulas are newer, and still learning as much as they can and have a smaller knowledge base, I usually recommend they put what they understand and can discuss intelligently in their binders. As your knowledge base grows, so will your binders. What you don't want to happen is have a client ask you about a handout you don't understand yourself. If a client asks, why did you put this in here, what you do you want me to learn from it? I feel that a doula should be able to answer that question. I've cut a lot of out of my binders over the years and really try to keep it to "need to know" vs "nice to know" because giving them this huge packet of information can be totally overhwelming.

One really great place to start for any doula is the Lamaze Care Practices. There's 6 of them and they are backed by best evidence. Google them, you'll find them. Another is the CIMS handout on induction. Great evidence based information there too that's good for any doula to know.

Pull some stuff on breastfeeding and you'll be good to go with a simple binder that can grow with you.