Originally posted April 2012:
So you’re anticipating a busy month as far as your doula work – whether that’s two births or ten, you know it’s coming and you want to prepare!
I just asked on my local doula board (154 members and counting!) and these were some of the brilliant ideas shared. As I know my May is going to be wild, I’m doing my prep work now!
* Be careful about your commitments – don’t over schedule yourself! It’s not fair to your birthing moms, your family, or you.
* When you go on call then it’s time to really take care of yourself. Put your kids to bed and start your own nighttime routine – stock up on that sleep!
* Be diligent about eating well (protein, fruits & veggies, low sugar) and taking any vitamins/supplements. At the births your not going to have time to focus on your own nutrition as much, so take care of yourself now!
* Prepare your home – catch up on laundry (haha!) and scrub that bathroom, change those sheets. Whatever helps you feel that your home can hold on while you’re gone.
* Consider what meals your family will need while you’re gone. My husband is a fantastic chef, but I like to make sure we have at least a few quick and easy meals he can toss into the oven and some easy breakfast ideas. We also do a shopping trip to stock up on lots of fresh produce and perishables and get some bread baked.
* Check in with your back up doulas to verify their availability and for emotional support! You need someone you can contact for an boost when you’re in the midst of a long labor and feeling tired yourself. They can encourage you so you can better encourage your laboring mom!
* Keep your car full of gas and tuned up, you don’t want to miss a birth because you stopped for gas or had car troubles.
* Exercise – take at least a walk daily to build your own stamina.
* Either see your chiropractor & massage therapist NOW or schedule visits for after your busy period.
* Check that your bag is packed, to include lots of healthy snacks for yourself.
* Clear your schedule of any non-essential commitments. If you know you’re going to be gone a lot for births then you need an open schedule, and extra appointments right now will add stress.
* Plan some fun activities with your kids that can be done any day (or if it’s specific to a day, don’t tell your kids – a last minute cancel for a much anticipated event is not fun for them or you!) When you’re not at a birth then head to the park or library, visit the lake, stop for ice cream. Make sure your children get lots and lots of face time and cuddles with you!
* Plan some simple date ideas for those evenings you are home. Get the kids to bed and cuddle up with your husband for a good movie, some take out dinner, a foot rub, or an early bedtime! 
* Take care of yourself – whatever that means for you. Meditation, prayer, a long bath, a talk with a friend, some time to decompress after a long birth, a good nap! You cannot serve others well when you’re depleted yourself.
What tips would you suggest, wise doulas??
I keep a “cheat sheet” on the fridge for hubby. Just one page, and it lists the really important stuff:
- What time the kids need to be at school by, and what time they need to be collected (this is usually my job).
- What goes in the lunch box for each child on school days.
- The name of the hospital I’m at, and the name of the client (in some of the really big hospitals here I find that my mobile reception can be a bit flaky when you’re deep down inside a building. This way if he needs me for an emergency he can call the desk.)
- I also keep a schedule of what the kids have on at school each day on the fridge (library book days, sports days etc) so that he knows what they need to remember each day.
Tina, thank you for those wonderful additions to the list! I hadn’t thought to leave my husband the client name and hospital (or if I’m at the birth center.) I appreciate your helpful ideas.