Birth Doula Paperwork

DoulaRissa · 05-05-2007, 02:50 AM

I know there are other threads that get into these details, but I'm feeling overwhelmed and need to compile all the info into one place. LOL.

What paperwork do you go over at the initial meeting/free consultation?

What paperwork, lesson plans, handouts, information do you go over and give out at the first prenatal? and the second prenatal if you provide one?

What paperwork do you finish up after the birth (while still at the hospital/birth)? Obviously since I still need the evaluations done, I do these then.

What do you do at the final postpartum visit? Collect money, get library loaned books back, get information binder back, etc?

I've got stacks of forms, checklists, lists, information and trying to figure out what needs to be done when, what handouts I should provide (I'm thinking of putting together an information binder). I can't decide what info I need to hand to each client to keep versus what info I should have in my binder to loan them. I'm also torn on which forms I should give to them and which I should just ask them and fill in myself to keep. I think I need a file folder for each clients records (mileage, call log, expenses, reciepts, etc).

What's your paperwork/information setup?

dorothyh · 05-05-2007, 09:16 AM

I do an interview and four prenatals.

Interview - paperwork on doulas in general, info about me and the doula group I work with, our letter of agreement. I also give them a Lamaze parents magazine and the Pampers folder, because I have a ton of them LOL

For the prenatal visits, I just give out the paperwork that "goes" with what we are discussing - it continues to change and evolve.

Postpartum visit - My total fee is due at the last prenatal, so I am not collecting money at the postpartum visit.

I collect books, give them their birth story, pics, baby gift. Answer any questions they have about the birth, go over any breastfeeding questions they may have. Let them know they'll be getting an invitation to our annual picnic and I hope to see them there! Let them know I'd love to hear updates from them and see pics of how their little one is growing! AND most of the time, I get to hold the baby at the postpartum visit - LOVE that part!!!!

tlcdoula · 05-05-2007, 09:46 AM

What paperwork do you go over at the initial meeting/free consultation? I don't go over "paperwork" in the initial meeting, but generally just have a free flowing talk about what I offer and what they might want. I do give them a copy of my contract and info about me that they can take with them.

What paperwork, lesson plans, handouts, information do you go over and give out at the first prenatal? and the second prenatal if you provide one? For me it depends on what their needs are as every mother is different. If I have a mother who needs education I will go over everything from stages of labor to comfort measures, but for those mothers who are very educated I again customize it to meet their needs.

What paperwork do you finish up after the birth (while still at the hospital/birth)? Obviously since I still need the evaluations done, I do these then. I don't do any paperwork at the hospital, but instead will write up my birth notes (from my memory most of the time) when I get home.

What do you do at the final postpartum visit? Collect money, get library loaned books back, get information binder back, etc? I have all of my clients pay me the remainder of their fee by 38 weeks so that I do not have anything to collect after the birth. They also return anything they have borrowed usually at the second prenatal. In general I just talk with them about their birth, get a sense on how they are feeling about the birth, breastfeeding, parenting, etc.

I've got stacks of forms, checklists, lists, information and trying to figure out what needs to be done when, what handouts I should provide (I'm thinking of putting together an information binder). I can't decide what info I need to hand to each client to keep versus what info I should have in my binder to loan them. I'm also torn on which forms I should give to them and which I should just ask them and fill in myself to keep. I think I need a file folder for each clients records (mileage, call log, expenses, reciepts, etc). I used to have a million forms too, but have severely cut back. I found that it is most effective if you can ask them the questions versus giving them the paperwork only because then if you have further questions you can ask right away - it also opens up the lines of communication.

What's your paperwork/information setup? I have a contract that they sign and return with their deposit prior to the first prenatal. Then at the first prenatal I go over their general info and health history and get them to sign the HIPAA form and any other releases (i.e. if I am taking photos for them, etc). That is it!! If I were certifying I might ask them to fill out an eval, but in general that is all the paperwork I do to get information from them. I find the best information gathering comes from talking and not a prescripted form