Weird email

Pambug · 11-10-2005, 10:00 PM

Has anyone received weird emails? I got one this evening.

All it said was:
"My partner and I are planning to adopt a new born baby in about 10 months or so. Is it too early to start talking to a doula?"

There was no introduction or additional information, just those two sentences.

Do you think this is a valid email or just someone messing around?

Tiffany · 11-10-2005, 10:18 PM

I think it is someone who clearly does not know what a doula is or does?

DL · 11-10-2005, 10:24 PM

No, I can't say that I've received any weird emails YET (I'm sure it will happen at some point). I'm not saying it's not legit, but it is kind of odd...

If you ever feel weird about an email, feel free to hit DELETE. There's no law saying that you have to reply to anything that you don't want.

Honestly, if it were me, I'd probably just delete it. If it's legit and they want more information, they could email me again with more info....but that's just me (I'm the skeptical type).

I'll be interested to see what the other ladies say they'd do about it.

tlcdoula · 11-10-2005, 10:26 PM

I agree - it sounds like they don't know what a doula is. Unless they are thinking about hiring a postpartum doula. I have heard of adoptive parents hiring a postpartum doula, so perhaps that is what they meant?!

As far as weird e-mails though - yes I have gotten some - instant messages too. Once I had someone e-mail me telling me she was in labor and wanted to talk to a doula. I know many other doulas got this same message so I just ignored them.

DL · 11-10-2005, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiffany

I think it is someone who clearly does not know what a doula is or does?

Probably right, Tiffany.... Possibly, they could be thinking of a Postpartum Doula and not know the correct term to use.????

DL · 11-10-2005, 10:33 PM

Your post wasn't up yet when I hit Submit! Didn't mean to duplicate your answer!

1stimestar · 11-10-2005, 10:55 PM

They could be thinking of hiring a doula for the birth mother. I would email back and ask for more information.

~Tranquility~Doula · 11-11-2005, 10:28 AM

I was thinking postparum doula but Georganne's suggestion also makes sense. Email back and ask what they are looking for.

kelley piasecki · 11-11-2005, 11:31 AM

Please let us know if you hear from her again, Pam.....I'm curious!!

motherwise · 11-11-2005, 01:43 PM

I believe there are courses that doulas can take for some kind of adoption training, through CAPPA maybe? ANyway I don't know what they do but you could reply and ask for more information. It ounds like someone who is not real good at email etiquette but I personally think it sounds legit. Definately don't do anything you are not comfortable with though

tlcdoula · 11-11-2005, 02:52 PM

Yes there is an advanced adoption certification through CAPPA. I took it and am a CAAC. Basically that training teaches you how to work with adoptive mothers, birth mothers, and also mothers who are pregnant who were adoptees. It is a great training!! It opened my eyes to a lot of things.

Pambug · 11-11-2005, 03:57 PM

I emailed her back this morning telling her explaining that it sounded like she was looking for a postpartum doula and that I wasn't one. I directed her to DONA's website as a starting point for finding one. She emailed me back saying that yes she was looking for someone for after the adoption.

Quote:

Originally posted by motherwise:It ounds like someone who is not real good at email etiquette but I personally think it sounds legit.

I agree that this person probably isn't accustomed to email etiquette and that's why I felt uncomfortable about it.