Binder Question!!

missilla · 04-25-2007, 01:02 PM

Hello all my wonderful fellow doulas. I have a question for you. If you have binders that you lend out to your clients how big are they? I feel like I have so much info. Any advice would be appreciated.

missilla · 04-25-2007, 07:15 PM

I take it there is no one who does binders.

Neshama · 04-25-2007, 07:49 PM

Well, I have a TON of different binders on different subjects, they are not all full yet but they will be! I print of interesting articles and put them in the appropriate binder. Its nice to have them all categorized like that.

MothertheMother · 04-25-2007, 07:55 PM

Here's a GREAT thread on binders and handouts. There might be a couple of other threads you can search for as well.

I hope this helps!!

WildWest Doula · 05-02-2007, 02:41 PM

I don't do binder but I do prenatal/poatpartum binders. It's one binder that has info on how to tell when you're in labor, resourses such as photographers, prenatal chiropracors, setting up your baby room, what to pack in your bag, what to expect in labor & delivery. Also info on sids, breastfeding, and resources like infant swim lessons, postpartum assement worksheets, what to expect when recovering.
I add to them based on the client, like if she has strep b I'll add info on that or there is anything she has a lot of questions about i'll add on that subject.

DoulaCBE · 05-04-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missilla

Hello all my wonderful fellow doulas. I have a question for you. If you have binders that you lend out to your clients how big are they? I feel like I have so much info. Any advice would be appreciated.

I do binders.
I use a 1 inch binder and put all of my handouts in page protectors. I loan the client a binder and pick it up at our postpartum visit. If they would like to keep the information contained in the binder I can provide it to them on CD in PDF format for a small fee to cover the CD label and my time. Usually just a few dollars.

DoulaRissa · 05-05-2007, 12:04 AM

I've been thinking about doing this.

I took a Bradley course with my 2nd, and loved the HUGE binder they loaned me for the 12 weeks.

I'm torn between loaning out binders, or creating one per client. I could have a master, and easily photocopy pages and add/remove as needed for each client. I know you get tons of paperwork from the hospital, your OB, etc. I didn't want to just give them another folder of paperwork that might not get read. I thought if I put it all in a nicely presented binder, they could add to it their own things as well. It's just a bit more work for me, but with the limited clients I'll be taking it would work.

I'm just trying to figure out how to categorize it. I was thinking about 2 binders: pregnancy/birth and postpartum. I want to put so much in it: local resources (la leche, car seat inspection dates, photographers, baby activities, where to buy nursing pads, etc). In addition to info on breastfeeding, circumcision, c-sections, etc.

I wish I had a copy of the Bradley one again, I loved the layout of it and want to mimic some of those aspects.

tlcdoula · 05-05-2007, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoulaRissa

I've been thinking about doing this.

I took a Bradley course with my 2nd, and loved the HUGE binder they loaned me for the 12 weeks.

I'm torn between loaning out binders, or creating one per client. I could have a master, and easily photocopy pages and add/remove as needed for each client. I know you get tons of paperwork from the hospital, your OB, etc. I didn't want to just give them another folder of paperwork that might not get read. I thought if I put it all in a nicely presented binder, they could add to it their own things as well. It's just a bit more work for me, but with the limited clients I'll be taking it would work.

I'm just trying to figure out how to categorize it. I was thinking about 2 binders: pregnancy/birth and postpartum. I want to put so much in it: local resources (la leche, car seat inspection dates, photographers, baby activities, where to buy nursing pads, etc). In addition to info on breastfeeding, circumcision, c-sections, etc.

I wish I had a copy of the Bradley one again, I loved the layout of it and want to mimic some of those aspects.

I used to give each client a binder, but found that it got costly and then they would misplace it and ask for another one. I was literally spending $20-30 per binder and then to have it misplaced or them telling me they weren't reading it. Well, that just got to me, so I decided enough was enough and loaned them out.

Now I have changed it and put all the information on the internet in a class they can look at. I still have the information in binders for those who don't have internet access, but have all the information online, on my website for them to access.

helpinghands · 05-05-2007, 10:05 AM

That is a great idea Michelle

tlcdoula · 05-05-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wombservice4you

That is a great idea Michelle

Yes, it saves on paper and if they don't want to look at the information they do not have to, but it is there as an option and best of all I don't have to worry about trying to collect my stuff back later on

I believe Theresa Howard has her stuff online too. At least I know she had some great stuff online when I was looking for stuff many years ago

(so my idea wasn't that original

)

empowered-birth · 05-06-2007, 12:12 AM

Do you have it in a password-only section, so that only "paying" folks can see it? Has anyone given the info in the form of a CD?

Neshama · 05-06-2007, 12:36 AM

DoulaCBE · 05-06-2007, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula

I used to give each client a binder, but found that it got costly and then they would misplace it and ask for another one. I was literally spending $20-30 per binder and then to have it misplaced or them telling me they weren't reading it. Well, that just got to me, so I decided enough was enough and loaned them out.

Now I have changed it and put all the information on the internet in a class they can look at. I still have the information in binders for those who don't have internet access, but have all the information online, on my website for them to access.

The copy cost for my prenatal packets alone (just the handouts) is over $6 per client. So far the binders are saving me money and clients have been very respectful and take good care of their binders. Hope that continues, if not I can go back to my original concept. Page protectors and binders are dirt cheap at the warehouse clubs, both Sam's Club and Costco have them here. Binders are just over a dollar a piece, page protectors are a box of 200 for $8.99. Avoid office stores unless you have really good coupons, they're really expensive.

The original concept was the same handouts, but they were put into a Mead folder with the 3 hole prongs in the center, so they were in "book format" and then it had two pockets. The front pocket was my doula paperwork for our prenatal visits and client info, the back pocket was local resouces.

I used a shipping label 2 inches by 4 inches and formatted the text with my logo, business name, and all contact information and that sticker was placed on the front of the prenatal folders.

tlcdoula · 05-06-2007, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by empowered-birth

Do you have it in a password-only section, so that only "paying" folks can see it? Has anyone given the info in the form of a CD?

Yes, it is password protected and only my clients or paying clients get to see the info. I actually created online classes for it. You can see a preview if you want (send me a pm and I will give you the link as it is against the rules for me to post that here since technically I am "selling" the class to others).