​What to Expect at your Prenatal Doula Appointment

Congratulations on your pregnancy!
If you’re thinking about hiring a birth doula near Milaca to support you through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, you might be wondering exactly what will happen when we get together prenatally! Let’s explore what you can expect at our appointment(s).

Prenatal visit with your doula: the basics
I typically plan our prenatal appointment to last about 60 minutes so that we have enough time to talk and get comfortable with each other, without leaving you feeling overwhelmed with information or burdening your schedule. For many couples, one prenatal appointment is just right. Others may want to schedule additional appointments. More about that below!

It’s usually best to schedule our appointment for sometime around 32-36 weeks. If you are taking a childbirth education class (highly recommended), it’s best to get that completed first so you have a basic understanding of the process and what your preferences may be.

At our appointment, I’ll give you a binder of information, resources, forms, and more that we can review at our meeting. However, since each family and birth is different, our meeting is open-ended to whatever you’d like to discuss. I’m here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and review whatever is needed to help you feel confident, comfortable, and prepared for your upcoming birth.

I work hard to make you feel at ease and keep our appointments professional but relaxed as we build our relationship, get to know each other, and prepare for the arrival of your baby.

Where do we meet?
Most of the time, I schedule prenatal visits at Fore Chiropractic & Wellness in Mora, MN, where we have plenty of space to meet and talk privately. Your other children can enjoy the play area while we chat, if needed. Families who are far out into rural Minnesota or have extenuating circumstances are welcome to discuss other meeting options, such as videoconferencing or meeting in your home. I offer late afternoon and evening appointment times that fit with your work schedules.

Who should come to our prenatal doula appointment?
Our meetings are personal and will only include you, your husband or partner, myself, and anyone else you’d like to invite. It’s ideal when dads can attend at least one prenatal visit and I will make sure to keep them involved, answer their questions, and treat them like the important team member that they are! Your other children are welcome to explore the play area if that makes things easier for you.

What happens at a prenatal appointment with our doula?
One of the things I love about being a doula is that each encounter is tailored to meet your unique needs. I have a rough plan for our meeting with things I’d like to cover and specific questions that I will ask, but I will also spend a lot of time listening. At our meeting, you’ll have lots of time and space to share your thoughts and preferences, discuss your concerns, and unload anything that is on your mind. Clients tell me that they really appreciate my listening skills, especially at a time when everyone wants to give them unsolicited advice.

We will go through different aspects of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum:

• Review your options for your care and your baby’s care
• Discuss your birth preferences
• Draft a birth plan and discuss relevant hospital policy, when applicable
• Review what you should birth to the hospital or birth center
• Plan for postpartum
• Practice positioning and coping techniques
• Discuss my role and the role of others on your support team
• Listen to your husband’s expectations, questions, and concerns
• Go through your previous birth experiences (if applicable) and how they influence your decisions for this pregnancy
• Resources for local chiropractors, childbirth education, breastfeeding support, etc.
• Provide space for whatever else you want to discuss!

My goal for your prenatal visit(s) is for you to feel comfortable with our relationship, confident in your decisions, and supported in your goals. I will never push you toward anything, but will talk through your options, help you find resources, and support you in making the decisions that you believe are right for you.

Our conversations are confidential and private. On the rare occasion when a backup doula becomes needed, I may share some information about your preferences and birth history that would be helpful for her to support you well, but I will let you know before I do so.

How many doula appointments do I need?
For many families, one prenatal appointment is enough, especially if this isn’t your first baby, you are taking a great childbirth education course, you are getting comprehensive care from an out of hospital midwife, or you’ve worked with a doula in the past.

I offer additional appointments and you can schedule as many as you’d like. Some situations where an extra appointment or two may be a good idea include:

• You want more comprehensive prenatal care
• You have lots of questions
• You’re working through a difficult or traumatizing past birth experience and want additional guidance and support as you plan for your upcoming birth
• You’re planning a VBAC
• You’re not getting the education and support you want from your provider

​Can I get in touch with you between appointments?
Absolutely! As your birth doula near St. Cloud, I am on call for you whenever you want to reach out. Please do hesitate to call or text me when you have questions after an OB appointment, are feeling overwhelmed, or have a concern about whether something is normal. Nothing is too TMI for me!

I may reach out to you periodically to see how you're doing, but I leave it up to you how much you’d like to be in touch. My phone is always on!

Ready to get together?
If you'd like to discuss doula care for your birth, reach out to me here to schedule your free consultation! I'd love to meet with you and answer all of your questions!