You know what's really funny? I was right.. as soon as I said I was the doula, they all just seemed to want to roll their eyes. Three nurses tonight, and as the father pointed out when we were in the mother/baby unit, all three of them were not receptive to me. I am not a loud person, I don't make suggestions that are opposite what nurses/medical staff say, etc. So I don't know why it happens. BUT!! I am getting totally thick skin and I just keep on smiling.
I told mother and father when we were alone in the mother/baby unit, that we are all there for HER(and dad) and what's happening to them, it's not about bickering with people or who likes who, it's about mom dad and baby. Period. I am there for them just as everyone else is, and I don't care what goes on so long as mom and dad are comfortable with what is going on, and there is an overall satisfying outcome. Maybe those aren't the right words to use, but you all get my point!!
Sometimes I really wish I could work with a lot of you I see post, for some reason in my part of the world, these nurses are anti-doula. Mom told nurse before I got there that she had a doula, and Nurse says "Well why? That's what we do" -- that's all the proof I need!
Anyways, I got great evals and I CAN USE THIS ONE FOR CERT!!! 1 out of 3, WOOHOO!! That doc was great. I am overall happy because of how happy mom and dad were in the end and they kept thanking and thanking me.
Ok I just got home ,I'm so sorry this is a friggen book -- even if no one reads it just feels SO GOOD to get out!! THANK YOU!!!
HANG IN THERE NATALIE IT TAKES TIME. Just work hard promote your services as much as you can. Rember a patient has a right to have a doula or coach if they wish. you will probably get a better response by promoting your services at your local CNM and MD offices as well as pregnancy help centers ,health clinics etc. also remember not to offer medical advice to patient you can suppply them with reading materials and research papers but allow them to make there own choices. I work as a nurse and a doula and have never had the problems you are having. I wish you luck and personally think things will work out.
the problem i am having now is that when i come in as a doula the nurses are expecting me to take over as the nurse. now i got a wole new set of problems to deal with.:) good luck
Another idea to find families that need the extra support is to ask your local Public Health Dept. Mine has a Maternal-Child-Health program where a PHN "checks on" high risk clients throughout their pregnancy. I know a lot of these clients could benefit from the assistance of a doula. Many WIC and/or PHN clients are high risk, single moms, with little to no support. (Or outdated, old wives tales from their mothers and grandmothers!)
There has been research showing that involvement with a doula dramatically improves clients initiating and maintaining breastfeading.
mark_LD_RN
940 Posts
HANG IN THERE NATALIE IT TAKES TIME. Just work hard promote your services as much as you can. Rember a patient has a right to have a doula or coach if they wish. you will probably get a better response by promoting your services at your local CNM and MD offices as well as pregnancy help centers ,health clinics etc. also remember not to offer medical advice to patient you can suppply them with reading materials and research papers but allow them to make there own choices. I work as a nurse and a doula and have never had the problems you are having. I wish you luck and personally think things will work out.
the problem i am having now is that when i come in as a doula the nurses are expecting me to take over as the nurse. now i got a wole new set of problems to deal with.:) good luck