Bashing my head against the wall -communication problems

[Ceci]

Well, at least that is what working with this last client feels like. I agreed to be a doula/translator for a home-birth MW and her client. I originally had not planned to take clients in my third trimested but how can you pass up an opportunity for a homebirth?!

Anyway, this client is from Central America and living with her mom. She is a teen mom and FOB is out of the picture. She has some education but did not go to high school. What is so frustrating is that getting info from her is like pulling teeth and this is all critical info in terms of her care. For ex/ she had some blood work drawn at the local clinic but would not/could not get the results so the MW had no clue as to her blood type, GBS status, status of a previous infection, etc. Obviously, good care can not be given under these cricumstances.

I ask her questions and she barely answers me. She spends most of the day inside watching TV and she is probably depressed but she is so passive about her care and her pregnancy that it makes communicating difficult with her.

I know I probably don't sound very compassoinate right now but I really do care and worry about her and want her to have a good birth but I am just frustrated by the lack of communication or motivation by her part. Ideas?

[douladot]

Yikes! That would be so tough for me! Cecilia. No advice, just hugs!

[doula Michele]

i worked with a 15 yr old like that to... arg! i would visit her at home and she would stare at the tv. I would get one word answers from her.
In the hospital the nurses gave up, and said, " we can't deal with her, you talk to her and let us know what she says'.

I did the best i could, but i had to learn to admit that sometimes our best is all we can do.
Its frustrating at best... but do what you can, and don't take responsibility for the situation.