What is your most important handout?

ScootchsMom · 08-12-2008, 07:08 PM

What handout do you find to be the most important one that you give clients? If you would like to share it, feel free to post it as well

Liz

1stimestar · 08-12-2008, 09:33 PM

I don't do handouts.

AmandaB · 08-12-2008, 09:43 PM

Mine is the best start breastfeeding chart and Polly Perez' "Is this Labor".

earthangel · 08-12-2008, 11:26 PM

Wow this is a tough one. I think that the CIMS 10 Questions to Ask is a good one. http://www.motherfriendly.org/pdf/10Qs_english.pdf

JackieM · 08-13-2008, 10:08 AM

The first handout in my client folder is about "Informed Consent and Informed Refusal." I use this to remind them that they are the parents and only they can make the decisions that are best for themselves and their baby. I let them know they have the right to ask about ALL the benefits and risks of any procedure the hospital staff wants to do, and that they have the right to ask questions about alternatives, consequences and waiting to make a decision. I really think stressing the importants of making truly informed decisions about birth is one of the biggest services I can provide to my clients.

Intuitivedoula · 08-17-2008, 12:11 AM

The arbritration agreement.

Carla

futureetndoula · 09-03-2008, 10:54 PM

where can I get an Informed consent and Informed refusal handout?

DoulaCindy · 09-03-2008, 11:41 PM

I have a handout about What to do if your Doctor is pushing for an induction....

I list several natural things to try before going in for an induction, such as sex several nights in a row, nipple stimulation, castor oil, etc....

Falling Leaves · 09-14-2008, 11:19 AM

euh, do you think castor oil is safe? would you be willing to post your induction handout? do you encourage clients to ask questions about their baby's wellbeing and flat out refuse an induction if the only reason is "due date"? i love the idea of "due season" instead of due date!

Ramona · 09-14-2008, 12:14 PM

Do you feel that a "natural induction" is really preferable to a "medical induction"? In my opinion, any type of induction is interfering with the natural process. I encourage women to ask there medical provider questions and I explain that a lot of providers do not even explain "membrane stipping" to their patients, or have their actual consent to do it. Many times the woman doesn't even know that it has been done.

Ramona · 09-14-2008, 12:15 PM

Sorry, typo - I meant "membrane stripping"

DoulaYvonne · 09-18-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmandaB

Mine is the best start breastfeeding chart and Polly Perez' "Is this Labor".

Where can I find Perez's "Is this Labor"?

jessa_bee · 09-18-2008, 04:43 PM

Looks like its a brochure http://cuttingedgepress.net/cep/prod...sp?cat=10&pg=5

DoulaCindy · 09-19-2008, 04:19 PM

I do not think things like sex, nipple stimulation, castor oil, ect. will work unless your body is ready to go into labor. If they do not start labor, at least you aren't in the hospital waiting for the pit. Yes, I do believe a natural induction is better than a medical one. I do believe, on the other hand though, that waiting is best. But for a mom who is 42 weeks over and getting lots of pressure to schedule a medical induction, sometimes the other things can work.

I give cautions about using castor oil. It is always last on my list. And when I present these options, I tell my clients to research it and give the pros and cons. Personally, I don't ever see myself using castor oil, but I have tried nipple stimulation (which only worked for me after labor started and then stalled) and sex (which I do believe worked for me). Mostly I just direct them to possible ways to natural induction but the decision is definitely up to them.

DoulaCindy · 09-19-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selina

euh, do you think castor oil is safe? would you be willing to post your induction handout? do you encourage clients to ask questions about their baby's wellbeing and flat out refuse an induction if the only reason is "due date"? i love the idea of "due season" instead of due date!

I definitely encourage my clients to ask lots of questions, but also not to use their doctor as the only source of information. I encourage them to read good books and do some of their own research. I always tell them that refusing is an option and remind them that they are "consumers" and their doctor is being paid by them. They do NOT have to do something just because the dr. feels they should. But I usually try to give them "a nice way" of putting it in hopes of avoiding confrontation. I'm just that type of person and most moms do not want to have a confrontation with their doctor as it is so stressful. If the mom hasn't done her research, she is much more likely to take everything the doctor says at face value. But I'm sorry, some doctors just outright lie. So I think the more informed the parents are (and not just by me), the better things will go for them.