Are we helping, fixing, or serving? December Newsletter

Are we helping, fixing, or serving?

These concepts were introduced by a participant in a recent end-of-life doula training. Contemplation of these ideas, as applicable to doulas, reveals key relationship dynamics that may be undermining our efforts with families. We must stay mindful about our role and purpose. Do we view our clients as weak victims (in need of help and therefore dependent upon us for that help) or broken (in need of fixing)? Or do we serve them from a place of wholeness in ourselves, as equals? Read the blog post by Rachel Remen. Here’s another perspective from the author of Doula Programs, Paulina Perez.

“When you feel responsible for others:

• You fix, protect, rescue, control, carry their feelings, and fail to listen.
• You feel tired, anxious, fearful, liable.
• You are concerned with the solution, answers, circumstances, details, and being right.
• You are a manipulator.
• You expect the person to live up to your expectations.

 When you feel responsible to others:

• You show empathy, encourage, share, confront, level, are sensitive, listen.
• You feel relaxed, free, aware, high self-esteem.
• You are concerned with relating person to person, feelings, and the person.
• You are a helper/guide.
• You expect the person to be responsible for themself and their actions.
• You can trust and let go.”

Books by Patty Brennan for Sale (Save 50%)!

The Doula Business Guide: How to Succeed as a Birth, Postpartum, or End-of-Life Doula, 3rd Edition (2019). Sale Price = $17.47 (2 copies available)

The Doula Business Guide Workbook: Tools to Create a Thriving Practice, 3rd Edition (2019). Sale Price = $9.97 (5 copies available)

Vaccines & Informed Choice: Everything Parents Need to Know, 6th Edition (2016). Sale Price = $8.47 (13 copies available). This pre-covid-era review of childhood vaccines and related topics is still relevant. Book includes information on boosting immunity naturally, including the use of homeopathy to prevent and treat vaccine reactions and the diseases themselves.

Use Coupon Code = Books50
Sale goes through December or until supplies run out. 

Two favorite resources for Birth Doulas:

Two favorite resources for Birth Doulas“Shake the Apple Tree” Position. Have you used this rebozo position before? Check out Premier Birth Tools for rebozos, rebozo positions charts, and educational tools.  1. Use hands and knees, open-knee chest, leaning over birth ball. 2. Wrap rebozo across buttocks (candy tootsie-roll) and give the ends a gentle shake. 3. Jiggle approximately 20 minutes while staying tuned into client’s reaction. It should feel relaxing. 4. Jiggling activates the stretch sensors of muscles and creates room for the baby to move. 5. NEVER shake the abdomen vigorously.  For more information about this and other techniques to help labor progress normally, and preventing or correcting issues related to malposition of the baby and other challenges, see Spinning Babies. Owner Gail Tully offers professional training workshops for doulas, midwives, and nurses, and has tools and guidance for expectant parents as well.

Resources for End-of-Life Doulas

Death Doulas, Community Health Workers Collaborations Can Aid Hospices but Resources are Scarce. Article discusses how building these collaborations has come with financial barriers and features an interview with Jane Euler (who will be our featured presenter for our next Members Only Webinar in January (see below for more information).  The Funeral Rule was designed to protect consumers by requiring that they receive adequate information concerning the goods and services they may purchase from a funeral provider. Under the rule, if state or local law requires purchase of any particular item, the funeral provider must disclose it on the price list, with a reference to the specific law. Violations of the Funeral Rule, as well as any other fraud complaints can be directed to the Federal Trade Commission via their Sentinel platform. The filing process is actually quick and easy. For more information about funeral laws in the U.S., visit the National Home Funeral Association website.

Networking Opportunities for Birth & Postpartum Doulas!

Call for Presentations: Michigan Maternal Infant Health Summit 2024. This event (Lansing Center / June 17-18, 2024) will bring together local, regional, and national experts in Maternal Infant Health. The summit is dedicated to highlighting the collaborative relationships needed to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Presentations will showcase innovative ways to advance healthy births through enhancements in quality of care, promoting best practices, expanding access, providing resources and support to families, and effectively addressing health disparities. Submission deadline is January 7, 2024. 

SAVE THE DATE: The Michigan Home Visiting Conference will be held on July 30–August 1, 2024 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The conference provides an opportunity for home visitors, administrators, supervisors, and parents to come together and focus on how to have a positive impact on childbearing families. This is a great networking opportunity for doulas too!

Upcoming Members Only Webinars (2024)

January 17 (Wednesday 8-9pm EST)

DOULAS EMBEDDED WITHIN HOSPICE: A SUCCESSFUL MODEL
With Jane Euler, MS, Certified End-of-Life Doula
This presentation will cover how Present for You doulas support hospice and how doulas can help solve several ongoing gaps in care within the health system. Our speaker, Jane Euler, will share how she formed collaborative relationships with hospice care providers to better serve families.

After completing doula training with two different organizations and pursuing “private pay” clients, Jane realized that collaborating within the current health systems for end-of-life care might serve more individuals and families. Concurrently, Jane obtained a Masters in Palliative Care which solidified her commitment to working within both palliative and hospice systems.

Jane Euler is a practicing end-of-life doula, palliative care leader, hospital hospice liaison, and co-founder of Present for You LLC, a public benefit company. Present for You LLC provides support for individuals and their families navigating serious illness and the end of life.

March 20 (Wednesday 8-9pm EST)
BRINGING BACK TRUE CONNECTION THROUGH NETWORKING: TOP TIPS FOR END-OF-LIFE DOULAS
With Kelly Collins, CEOLD

And more to come soon! Become a Member today and receive priority access to our bimonthly continuing education webinars, as well as all archived webinars, and other benefits!