Second Prenatal

empowering birth · 05-08-2007, 08:05 PM

Hi y'all!! So I have my "first" Second Prenatal this Saturday. I feel pretty good. But I thought I would share what I plan to cover and see if any of you have any suggestions on anything else I might include. Ok, here is my list:

-review the CBE classes that they just finished (questions?)
-review their birth plan; any changes?
-breathing techniques
-comfort measures
-relaxation (I thought I'd have her lay down and try to get her to relax from head to toe, maybe touch her softly with a light massage?)
-pain management; questions (although I feel this is my weak spot

, I don't know a whole lot, so....I feel a little silly)
-I have a few handouts (Brain, Grrope, Resources (websites, phone numbers), waiting for your doula..., what to pack)
-be sure to get my lending materials back (Resource Binder, book)
-Questions

What do you think? She'd due in a couple of weeks, so the next time I see her after this will probably when she is in labor. Thanks in advance

!!

Doula Hara · 05-08-2007, 09:07 PM

Your plan for this prenatal sounds great, but it's going to be a lot to pack in!

The way I structure my prenatal visits is first an initial interview, then an educational prenatal, then a birth plan/pain management prenatal, then a birth rehearsal. It's usually 4 meetings over the course of a few months, except for the last-minute clients. This is more than some doulas have time for, but doula-assisted births in my town are few and far between, so I don't mind putting in the extra time into the ones I'm lucky enough to get.

At the educational prenatal, I cover the actual labor & birth process, both the physiological aspects and the practical aspects of how it works in the hospital, and I make sure they have all the resources they need such as classes, hospital tour, social services, etc. Then at the birth plan/pain management prenatal, I discuss medication options, comfort measures, expectations, and we create a birth plan together. Then by the time the birth rehearsal comes around, we've already developed a good bond and Mom will feel comfortable practicing breathing techniques, positions, massage, etc. I've found that creating the intentional space to practice these ahead, together, of time makes a *big* impact on her willingness to use the methods in the birthing room, in front of family & strangers.

Your plan for the 2nd prenatal sounds really good & thorough, and over time you'll develop your own style of how you structure your prenatals. You just have to jump in! But you know that already.

Congratulations on following your path, and good luck at this prenatal!

empowering birth · 05-08-2007, 09:39 PM

I like how you structure your visits. It's really only one more than mine....thanks you got me thinking. I thought 2 Prenatals was plenty and the average. Mind you, they may be a bit long. First Prenatal was 2 hours and I was figuring this one would be 1 1/2 - 2. I may have to borrow some of your fabulous ideas

.....hope you don't mind!! Thanks!!

Mile High Doula · 05-09-2007, 11:25 AM

Hey there! I have 2 prenatals. Your structure is great and can go quickly or take a few hours depending on how many questions they have for each topic. I don't cover much in the way of breathing techniques or relaxation (but I am adding some stuff these days) and I think it's a GREAT layout.

My first prenatal is an educational prenatal plus birth plan preparation. So we do ALOT of talking and planning and it takes about 2-4 hours (although I try to keep it at 2). The second prenatal is on positions, birth rehearsal, relaxation, pushing, etc. This is much shorter 1-2 hours.

I have added my Optimal Fetal Positioning as a separate class because if I teach that at prenatals now, I am there for over 5 hours and I just can't afford to do that. So, I go over the basics and if they want to know more, they have to take the extra class.

We communicate alot through email and on the phone so I go over questions as needed.

Good luck! It sounds like you are doing GREAT!!

dorothyh · 05-09-2007, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by empowering birth

Hi y'all!! So I have my "first" Second Prenatal this Saturday. I feel pretty good. But I thought I would share what I plan to cover and see if any of you have any suggestions on anything else I might include. Ok, here is my list:

-pain management; questions (although I feel this is my weak spot

, I don't know a whole lot, so....I feel a little silly)

You can find out her questions, and if you don't know, just be honest and tell her you'll get that information for her and get back to her.

If you didn't cover it in your first prenatal, definitely go over the basics of Optimal Fetal Positioning, or at least give her the spinning babies website.

If she's planning on breastfeeding, maybe some resources/websites for that?

It looks GREAT!!!

empowering birth · 05-09-2007, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorothyh

You can find out her questions, and if you don't know, just be honest and tell her you'll get that information for her and get back to her.

If you didn't cover it in your first prenatal, definitely go over the basics of Optimal Fetal Positioning, or at least give her the spinning babies website.

If she's planning on breastfeeding, maybe some resources/websites for that?

It looks GREAT!!!

I have no problem letting her know that I don't know something. They know that I am a newbie, if I don't know something, I will find out and get back to them.

I'll be sure to add the spinning babies website to my Resources handout (which includes websites/phone #'s on midwifery, breastfeeding/cesareans/vbac's, public health nurse, 24 hours bcnurseline & odds). Thanks ladies!!