Taking Notes During A Birth

AussieDoula · 08-14-2006, 09:20 AM

For all my births this year, I have taken a length of masking tape and stuck it to my pants leg. This way I can jot down notes quickly and easily without having to dig around for a pen and paper or fumble with a cumbersome clipboard/trying to find a flat surface to write on. The masking tape surface is white and matte so it takes pen ink perfectly (plus it's cheap, and a roll will fit easily into your birth bag).

I can't take credit for this one, because I saw a tv documentary where an anesthetist put a small sticky on a patient's gown as they were going into surgery and wrote a few notes on it - which in turn triggered the memory that we used masking tape on the leg to keep track of orders at the deli I worked in a million years ago. It's also what I use on my sewing table to mark measurements. Good stuff, masking tape!

Anyways, it has proven to be a great way to take notes during faster stages of births and a way to get a complete log of labour for personal records/mama's birth stories, so I thought I should share.

doula Michele · 08-14-2006, 09:34 AM

I am horrible at keeping notes. I try to keep a notebook by the bed and then sometimes dad will jot notes, or I will try to quickly record vag exam times, and dilation. Sometimes I will record BP's, or any signifigant times, such as moving to delivery or what time she started pushing etc...just so i can refresh moms memory when it all feels like a blur.
I do not do a birth story, so most of the info is just for my records.
I am finding I am just not really needing alot of the info, so I don't bother with the notes alot.
I have tried the masking tape thing.... and well I just make a mess of it.
Michele

AussieDoula · 08-14-2006, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doula Michele

I have tried the masking tape thing.... and well I just make a mess of it.
Michele

LOL! I am picturing you tangled up on the floor in a big masking tape mess and the shocked mama's face looking over at you, hahaha!

fearlessbirth · 08-14-2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieDoula

LOL! I am picturing you tangled up on the floor in a big masking tape mess and the shocked mama's face looking over at you, hahaha!

Ha ha ha. That's why I haven't tried this trick myself...I read about this trick in Hearts and Hands and thought it was ingenius!

But, not wrapped all around my face and hands it wouldn't look very professional.

dorothyh · 08-14-2006, 10:33 AM

I have thought about the masking tape idea, but haven't tried it yet.

I do bring a notebook/folder w/pen and my goal is to jot down something every hour - whether it is an exam result, what we did that hour, a quote from dad or mom. It rarely happens that I write something every hour LOL

After the birth before I leave the hospital, if I am not too exhausted, I sit in my car and take 5-10 min to jot down as many details as I can remember. I do do a birth story so I do want to remember as many details as I can.

doula Michele · 08-14-2006, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieDoula

LOL! I am picturing you tangled up on the floor in a big masking tape mess and the shocked mama's face looking over at you, hahaha!

LOL.. yeah. I lose my tape cause i'm helping mom in the shower... and then it balls up and gets stuck on my pants..falls off and i'm dragging tape on my shoe like toilet paper.

Michele

Kim Trower · 08-14-2006, 11:41 AM

I have my file on the mom and usually find time if she goes to the bathroom and is still wanting privacy, or if her and partner are having some alone time..but most of my notes stay in my head and I jot it all down while still in the hospital or at home...right after baby is born and everyone is ooing and aahing over the babe..and after mom has delivered placenta, done in repairs needed, etc...it has always seemed perfect for me...like I'm not extremely needed at the moment...the parents are hanging out with babe...but I can't leave yet because nursing needs to happen, etc. So that's what works for me. I don't do birth stories but I keep a lot of stats for my own records and then if parents have any questions regarding the birth I can fill them in.

AmandaB · 08-14-2006, 11:53 AM

I have heard of some women recording themselves as they drive home from the birth. Not only can you decompress before you off load on your hubby, but you something to refer to when you are writing your notes. But I really like the tape idea.

MothertheMother · 08-14-2006, 12:23 PM

I made up a birth notes page with column headings of Time, Dilation, Station, Effacement, Notes. I have room at the top with blanks for Date, Time of Birth, Babys Weight, Length, Apgar scores, Name, Doctors and Nurses names. I found a clip board that you can open and store extra things inside. I use a clipboard because I want something that will keep my client folder from getting bent when it is in my bag. I love that I can keep brochures, cards and OSD flyers inside. I have found that I can jot down notes when mom is getting checked because I am backing off to stay out of the way anyway. The rooms have been pretty small so far. I did the "chart" because I wasn't remembering to write everything down each time and I like to keep a timeline for the parents. I, too, have taken 10 minutes to jot a bunch of notes down after the birth. It is very theraputic to do that and you get a lot more details if you don't wait.

liwabuchi · 08-14-2006, 12:46 PM

i use post it notes and felt tipped pens. that way i don't have to fight with gravity and ink as much. and the tape thing is cool. i have been using my cell phone v/m for that. i just call my self and leave my self a message on the way home.

AbornDoula · 08-14-2006, 03:49 PM

Christy,
If you would like to share your chart, I would love to see it!

Tashina Marker · 08-14-2006, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbornDoula

Christy,
If you would like to share your chart, I would love to see it!

me too! I usually write down notes on paper,but I just make the headings as I go.

Matrescence · 08-14-2006, 06:34 PM

at the tangled up in tape

We have a doula here who uses the hospitals paper towels shoved into a zip lock baggies as her filing system

I love it!

MothertheMother · 08-14-2006, 07:09 PM

Ok...here it is. Feel free to use it if you like it

HamiltonBirthRevolution · 08-14-2006, 07:14 PM

I have a paper inside my client folder. I sit when appropriate and make notes. That seems to be right after babe is born and I've taken a slew of photos. Mum and Dad spend time with baby and I make notes.

Of course, I think the tape idea is good for on the fly notes like dilation info...