Can someone help! Need threads on paperwork for clients...

[mrsamyowen]

Hello doulas,
I seem to recall a thread or two that talked about the initial folder given to clients when first meeing with them. Besides contract, what is do you put in yours? BTW, this is different than the question about binders to loan to clients. Thanks!

[mrsamyowen]

Anyone?

[amymaew]

I meant to answer this last night and got sidetracked! I'll email you what I give out in my initial consultation folder right now!

[mrsamyowen]

Received! Thank you SO much for your email!

[TO Doula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsamyowen Hello doulas, I seem to recall a thread or two that talked about the initial folder given to clients when first meeing with them. Besides contract, what is do you put in yours? BTW, this is different than the question about binders to loan to clients. Thanks!

Hi

I use those folders that have two pockets. On one side is things to read, on the other things they need to do. I give them lots of stuff. A few things are handouts I've developed, and others are things that are freely available. I want them to get excited about the work we can do together and to get a sense of the resources I have to offer, without giving away too much that's unique to me.

One side:

• How to Contact Me (it's day-of-labour contact thingy - certainly not needed at the interview stage, but to create excitement imagining the big day)
• Recommended Reading
• Maternity Care in Ontario (a handout of mine that explains the difference between obs, family docs, mws, doulas, tbas, etc since many people are confused about how it works)
• Lamaze's 10 Tips for a Healthy PG and 10 Tips for a Normal Birth
• a birth planning outline
• DONA's Birth Doula Position Paper
• a business card and a flyer for my prenatal classes

The other side:

• Two copies of my letter of agreement - one to keep and one to send back to me. I sign them when I'm handing over the folder at the end of the interview.
• A registration form to fill in with their contact info etc to send back with the contract.
• Two copies of a quiz thingy about interventions and comfort techniques which I tell them is homework for our first prenatal visit, if we're going to be working together.

I've tweaked this package a little bit over the years, but overall I think it's worked really well for me, and many clients have exclaimed over it - they find it professional and useful. Apparently there are still doulas in my area who don't even use a contract, so this system appeals to professional people who are looking for a professional approach. Not what everyone is looking for, I'm sure, but in the Big City plenty are. :-)

HTH

[FLLucinda]

All I put in mine is my contract, a few business cards, Dad's and doulas handout, DONA's position paper, and a few references. My "sell" is mostly vocal.

[JackieM]

Left side of folder has contract, 2 business card, dads and doulas handout, and FAQ on doula support. Right side has summary of research evidence for doula support, an article about a real-life couple who used a doula, and Lamaze's position paper on continuous labor support. I try not to overwhelm them with info at that initial meeting, and I really try to focus on including information that answers dad's questions and concerns -- he's usually the one I've got to "sell" to ...

[Natural Native Doula]

Im new here and new to all this. Can someone share with me these contracts and things for a binder? Im unsure of it all. Thank you.

[Brie+3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natural Native Doula Im new here and new to all this. Can someone share with me these contracts and things for a binder? Im unsure of it all. Thank you.

This is a good thread for finding more handouts: Handouts & Binders

and here is one for contracts:
Birth Doula Contract/Agreement