Prenatal Location

cali4niachef · 01-16-2010, 06:57 PM

Ladies, where do you do your prenatals with clients?
Your home, theirs, your office, a public place, etc? Does it vary per client?
Do you do ALL your prenatals at one place or some at your home/office and some their home?

Thanks!

mommadoula · 01-16-2010, 07:09 PM

I do the consult at a coffee shop and somtimes the first prenatal. I always go over positions ect at there home, and that way I know how to get to there home when they are in labor

ms_quoted · 01-16-2010, 07:09 PM

I've never had a client come to my home. For consultations I always ask whether they want to meet at their home or a public place such as a coffee shop or the library (our library has "meeting rooms".) Most have me meet them in their home.

For prenatal appointments we always seem to meet in their home, but if they prefered we continue to meet in a public place I guess I would suggest the library (this has never happened.)

I think meeting in their home has several advantages. First, it makes them more comfortable- it is on their "turf". Secondly, many times I go to the clients home so she can labor there as long as possible before going to the hospital. By meeting at their home I become familiar with the location and they become familiar with me being there (that last part is kind of hard to explain but seems to matter). I think having me in their homes aid in building the trusting relationship that will help me serve them in labor. It also keeps things less "clinical" feeling. I think that by discussing birth in the very familiar setting as their home it helps establish birth as a normal, natural process.

Doula Janeya · 01-16-2010, 09:04 PM

I usually do prenatals at the client's home. Occasionally their home has not worked for one reason or another so we have picked a neutral spot like a coffee shop but I prefer their home. It is more relaxed and they are more likely to open up. We can do demos on the ball,etc. Then I know where they live if she wants to labour at home.
I would never do a prenatal at my house for many reasons. I have 5 kids, the chance of it being quiet, clean and undisturbed are virtually none.

momof ten · 01-16-2010, 09:11 PM

I usually meet at their home also. My husband gets kind of freaked out if it is a complete stranger and insists that I meet them in a neutral place for the interview....then when I know they aren't going to kidnap me I go to their house. I have found it awkward to talking birth in public places. One lady met me the first time at a Dairy Queen and you should have seen the looks I got as I started pulling things out of my doula bag (a rolling suitcase). Women kept walking by and listening (and looking at my stuff) . LOL.....never again in a Dairy Queen! BTW, she did hire me.

earthgirl · 01-16-2010, 09:20 PM

I have always done prenatals in their home.

cali4niachef · 01-17-2010, 01:29 AM

Thanks ladies! I do too. However once I get my office set up I will be doing them here and always one at their home.

DoulaKaren · 01-17-2010, 08:44 AM

I do the first meeting/consultation at a public place, always. Then usually one or two more at their homes. I don't have an office and there's not much call for a client to come to my house!

amylou · 01-17-2010, 09:33 AM

I usually do everything at their home. I have one client that is over an hour away so we have been meeting at a midway location - the hospital where she will deliver. We have been meeting in the cafeteria, which was fine for the interview, but not ideal for prenatals - I have one more prenatal with her this week and I am hoping to find a more private place within the hospital so that we can do some practice.

PBDS · 01-20-2010, 10:36 AM

For my consult I offer to meet at a Starbucks or bookstor for free. I offer going to their home for s fee.( If they hire me, this goes toward their finial fee) So where we meet for that is up to them.

For prenatals we meet where ever they are comefortable. I have done either at their house or a Starbucks. I am working on my home office, if I ever get that together, I will offer having it in my home too. I do try to hold at last 1 prenatal at their home, if they want me to labor with them at home, this way I know how to get to their house.

ms_quoted · 01-20-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amlie

For my consult I offer to meet at a Starbucks or bookstor for free. I offer going to their home for s fee.( If they hire me, this goes toward their finial fee) So where we meet for that is up to them.

For prenatals we meet where ever they are comefortable. I have done either at their house or a Starbucks. I am working on my home office, if I ever get that together, I will offer having it in my home too. I do try to hold at last 1 prenatal at their home, if they want me to labor with them at home, this way I know how to get to their house.

Interesting, I've never heard of doing this before. Why do you charge to go to their homes?