newbie questions

empowered-birth · 04-30-2007, 12:54 AM

a friend of mine is looking for a PPD for a gal pal of hers. Everyune around here is not certified as a PPD, but charges $35 an hour.
I am not currently seeking this cert, so I don't know what folks should be charging, but that seems high. What do you think?
What exactly do you do as a PPD? I know that working with breastfeeding would be the main thing, but what else do you do? I have thought about doing this, as I could establish my own hours a bit more than as a birth doula, but I never acted on the thought. I have heard some complain that it's babysitting and cleaning. Hey, I remember when I had my little man, and my girls, those things were important, but does it warrent certification?

THis is so long-winded, and maybe incoherent (it's 1am), but I was curious as to what PPD's do and what certifications are really worth it out there....

ScootchsMom · 04-30-2007, 06:56 AM

$35 is high end of the scale for ceritifed PP doulas here in NY. I am charging $25 an hour right now while working on my certification.

I'll just list out what I offer:

#1 in my mind is I give mommy someone to talk to that understands what she is going through. Husbands are great, but they cannot possibly understand the needs of a hormonal postpartum woman.

Breastfeeding advice and help

Newborn care advice and help

Light (really light) housework - I don't mind doing dishes, but I am not dusting the rafters I'll even throw in a load of mom and babies wash.

Meal preperation - I haven't decided about this yet, but I will gladly make momma something healthy to eat.

Some errands - diapers, personal items for mommy, a couple of groceries. Absolutely no trips to the bank.

Go with Momma to the doctor. I would have loved to have someone go with me to my PP visits once DP went back to work.

Sibling help - If there are older kids show mom ways to ease rivalry by including them in caring for the baby. Teach them how to gently touch baby, etc. Even a 2 year can help get a diaper or a teething ring, etc to help mommy.

What I don't do - Major breastfeeding issues or other medical needs beyond my SOP. But it is important to know when to refer them out to a doctor and/or lactation consultant, and the training covers all of that.

Heavy housework - If it seems like they are taking advantage of my willingness to do light cleaning (such as spending over 25% of my scheduled time there on housework, then I give them referals to cleaning agencies.)

Babysitting - I will gladly watch the kids for 20 minutes so that Momma can get a shower, but I do not watch them while she goes to the mall. I will refer them to a babysiting agency if that's what they want.

I don't touch anything that has to do with anything of value such as going to the bank, taking a piece of jewlery to be repaired, or drive their car. This is to limit any liability for anything getting lost or damaged.

I also do not recommend any formula brands. If mom is choosing to formula feed or can't breastfeed, I leave it up to the Pediatrician and the parents to decide. The reason I do this is that I look at formula as something that could cause potential problems, such as dairy allergies, soy allergies, constipation etc., and I want them to be responsible for the decision to give a certain formula.

I'm sure there are a ton of other little things I do but these are the major points. I do think at least a training, either distance or a training conference, is a good idea. You can get familiar with the types of problems you may encounter and how to deal with them, especially breastfeeding issues that can be easily resolved but mom doesn't know how.

Liz

tlcdoula · 04-30-2007, 10:31 AM

I tend to do whatever mom might need me to do - basically anything she would be comfy asking her own mother to do if her mother was there for her. I do let them all know that I am not a great cook, so if I cook it has to be preboxed type stuff or easy stuff as I just do not cook very well (my kids say I burn water0. I also do not run any errands for them, but in the house I will care for baby so mom can rest, shower, take care of personal needs, help with breastfeeding support, take care of siblings, help with that transition, do dishes, light house cleaning, laundry, teach infant and mom care, and much more.

1stimestar · 05-02-2007, 01:56 AM

Here's what I don't understand. Keep in mind I am not being snarky. I am just thinking back to my terrible postpartum times. If you will only do mom and baby's laundry, who sorts it out from the rest of the family's laundry? And so if you only do their laundry, then mom still has to do the laundry for the rest of the household. What if the 3 year old has not only no interest but refuses to get the baby a diaper? What if mom knows to show the older sibling how to touch the baby gently? After all, she already had one, she knows how to speak to kids or at least her own. What if mom knows about breastfeeding as well as having healthy snacks for other child/ren? If you fix mom only something to eat, she still will then have to get up and fix the rest of the family something to eat, so how does that help? What if mom simply needs sleep! Guess she should just hire a babysitter if that is what she needs? Comments?

ScootchsMom · 05-02-2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stimestar

Here's what I don't understand. Keep in mind I am not being snarky. I am just thinking back to my terrible postpartum times. If you will only do mom and baby's laundry, who sorts it out from the rest of the family's laundry? And so if you only do their laundry, then mom still has to do the laundry for the rest of the household. What if the 3 year old has not only no interest but refuses to get the baby a diaper? What if mom knows to show the older sibling how to touch the baby gently? After all, she already had one, she knows how to speak to kids or at least her own. What if mom knows about breastfeeding as well as having healthy snacks for other child/ren? If you fix mom only something to eat, she still will then have to get up and fix the rest of the family something to eat, so how does that help? What if mom simply needs sleep! Guess she should just hire a babysitter if that is what she needs? Comments?

Totally valid questions

I'll try my best to answer them.

Laundry - I will throw in the toddlers clothes if needed, even dads stuff if absolutely necessary, but my goal is not to have my client say "oh leave the laundry pile up for days and we'll just have Doula Liz do it." I have to try to draw a line that defines me as a Doula, not a housekeeper. I don't want to spend hours trying to get grease stains out of the husbands work clothes, KWIM? Of course, for the first week of visits I do more, then a little less the next week, and so on. The point is to help, but to also gradually getting the family to do these things themselves, until they do not need me.

The Toddler - I worked with kids for a number of years as a babysitter and mother's helper, and it is surprising how much a toddler does like to help. But if it's not working, that is fine. I have no problem taking the toddler out to play for 30 minutes or whatever, to give mom a break. I play it by ear. I also have no problem taking the baby so mom can have some alone time with the toddler. Mom may have an easy time with the toddler adjusting to the baby, and that is great! But I'm still there to help, get snacks, get out coloring stuff, etc.

Cooking - What I am undecided about is cooking big dinners for the family dinner. I am trying to decide how much to offer, such as I will make soup and salad but I'm not making a 5 course turkey dinner. As for cooking for Momma, I meant during the day, when it is just us (most fathers around here go back to work pretty quickly) I have no problem fixing her or her other kids a healthy lunch, snack, whatever they need.

Breastfeeding - If mom is doing great then that is great! But I am there in case she does have a problem. My SIL has nursed three babies, and didn't have any problems until the 3rd one.

Mom needing sleep - If mom is needing to sleep, no problem! I will glady take the baby and any other kids so she can, especially during the first couple of weeks of adjustment.

I mainly made the list to show just some of what I will do and won't do. It is not set in stone, and it is not all-inclusive. There are always adjustments for each individual family. The one client I have had, as well as those that are showing an interest in hiring me, are all first time moms, who want to breasfeed but don't know how and are worried.

tlcdoula · 05-02-2007, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stimestar

Here's what I don't understand. Keep in mind I am not being snarky. I am just thinking back to my terrible postpartum times. If you will only do mom and baby's laundry, who sorts it out from the rest of the family's laundry? And so if you only do their laundry, then mom still has to do the laundry for the rest of the household. What if the 3 year old has not only no interest but refuses to get the baby a diaper? What if mom knows to show the older sibling how to touch the baby gently? After all, she already had one, she knows how to speak to kids or at least her own. What if mom knows about breastfeeding as well as having healthy snacks for other child/ren? If you fix mom only something to eat, she still will then have to get up and fix the rest of the family something to eat, so how does that help? What if mom simply needs sleep! Guess she should just hire a babysitter if that is what she needs? Comments?

That is why I do whatever mom needs me to do

ScootchsMom · 05-02-2007, 08:57 AM

I think were going off on a little tangent. I think the original poster was looking to see a sampling of what we actually DO, as she is thinking about doing PP work. I'm not trying to define what a PP doula should or shouldn't do, just what *I* do, to give the original poster some idea of what a PP doula job can entail.

I agree about doing whatever mom needs, but there is a line that has to be drawn at some point, as our goal is for them to be eventually "weaned" from our service. Maybe you all just deal with different people than me, but a few of the calls I have gotten have asked me specifically if I will clean the entire house or watch baby while mom goes back to college classes three nights a week. I said no to both as neither fits my role as a postaprtum doula. Yes, mom may need it, but it is not what I do and they were understanding of that.

Liz

Liz

1stimestar · 05-02-2007, 11:21 AM

No no, no tangent really. I appriciate your answers. I have only one experience at post partum doulaing and it was when I was a very new doula. Post partum doulas were new too I'll add. But I must say it was terrible. Mom had a home birth, about 10 days before. It was her 5th child. She homeschooled so all the kids were home all the time. And every one had had the flu. And the dishwasher had been broken for the previous 3 weeks. So every dish in the house was dirty and it seemed every piece of laundry was as well. I did 5 loads and didn't make a dent in the mountain. I washed dishes for 4 HOURS. I finally threw some meat in the crock pot for later and went home. I think she needed a maid service instead of a ppd.

ScootchsMom · 05-02-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stimestar

No no, no tangent really. I appriciate your answers. I have only one experience at post partum doulaing and it was when I was a very new doula. Post partum doulas were new too I'll add. But I must say it was terrible. Mom had a home birth, about 10 days before. It was her 5th child. She homeschooled so all the kids were home all the time. And every one had had the flu. And the dishwasher had been broken for the previous 3 weeks. So every dish in the house was dirty and it seemed every piece of laundry was as well. I did 5 loads and didn't make a dent in the mountain. I washed dishes for 4 HOURS. I finally threw some meat in the crock pot for later and went home. I think she needed a maid service instead of a ppd.

That is exactly the kind of situation I want to avoid! Sounds like she either didn't understand what a pp doula does, or she thought she was getting cheap maid service. Thats why I'm trying to be careful with saying to potential clients "Anything" the family wants or needs. They may need a yard mowed, but that is not my job! lol.

dreamharderila · 05-02-2007, 12:29 PM

I would agree with putting limits to what you do. There are people who will take advantage of you, so being prepared will help avoid that. I know there are people who think that a ppd will come take care of baby so the mama can rest, but I dont think that they realize that sitting in front of the tv isnt resting. And that doesnt require a ppd.

syncreo · 05-02-2007, 12:50 PM

Hi,
I do similar things to what Liz said. My experience so far isn't that people try to take advantage so much as I just need to be very clear on what it is I do and don't do. I do light housekeeping (empty garbage cans, tidy up, dishes, laundry, meal preparation and light snacks but no cooking), breastfeeding support, support with newborn care, sibling care (for periods of time so mom can rest or spend time with baby) etc.

I find my most important role is being a sounding board for mom to ask questions, get reassurance and just to have another experienced mom around to tell her she is doing a great job. Really not all that much different than my role as a birth doula

We charge $20/hr but if we were in a major city it would be $25-$30.

sacredma · 05-02-2007, 05:47 PM

i find i do a lot of breastfeeding support, laundry ( i do everyone's) talking, listening, giving reassurance to the new mom.
dont do housecleaning, but will wash dishes, sweep, and sometimes vacuum.
i do cooking if they want it. i run errands, will go with mom to pediatrician and i often wind up watching the baby while mom runs the errands! some moms really need to get out ( that would not be me!)
i also play with siblings or hold the baby so mom can spend time with older sibling.
every job is different and every woman has different needs, so i try to be flexible.