There is no such thing as a typical visit, but you already knew I was going to tell you that! So I'll go over a couple different hypothetical situations.
Initial Consultation:
Generally this will be over the phone. I will ask you what your expectations are. We will discuss tentative times (such as weekday mornings, or Saturday afternoons - just a general idea). We will discuss how your pregnancy is going, etc.You can either choose to retain my services now or consider it and give me a call at a later time. When you choose to accept me as your postpartum doula we will discuss a time and place to meet to go over the contract and retainer.
Hypothetical Visit #1: Shelly
I arrive at 4pm for my first visit with my daughter strapped to me in my sling. I ask how she is on her second day home from the hospital. We start to discuss her newborn and his care when she interrupts and ask me to start dinner. Her partner will be home soon... and she is hungry! We go to the kitchen and I prepare a simple meal. I ask her how nursing is going and we discuss her difficulties. At about 4:30 she tells me she is going to take a nap with her son. I finish the meal, do a quick clean-up of the kitchen and find Shelly at 5:15. She wants to take a short shower so that she is refreshed for the evening to come. I take Keven and turn on some classical music and play with him while she showers and gets ready for the evening. At 5:45 she comes out and takes her son, refreshed and renewed. I do some light picking up in the living room and wave goodbye a little after 6pm. She feels refreshed and I am happy to have enjoyed a pleasant evening.
Hypothetical Visit #2: Marc and Lisa
It is Saturday and Marc wants to take some of the burden off Lisa. Katelyn is 1 1/2 months old and they figure it is time for Marc to be "on his own". Lisa leaves to spend the day doing "whatever she wants". I come over at 9am to encourage Marc as he gives his first bath. I give him tips on how to multi-task during the bath so when he is on his own the bathroom will not be a disaster area! As he is dressing her I do a quick wipe down in the bathroom. I start preparing the roast he has out and place it in their crockpot with some vegetables. At 10:15 Katelyn starts crying unconsolably and I help give Marc ideas to comfort her. He tries to bottle feed her and I help show him different positions. I finish the roast at 10:45 and take Katelyn as Marc makes a call. At 11:15 he comes out and asks me to fold a load of Katelyns clothes. I'm out of the house at 11:30 wishing him a wonderful rest of the day. He is more secure in his fathering ability and I have the joy of knowing I took a little of the burden off a new family.
You can see, every visit is going to be different. Every family has different needs. I will do my best to tailor my services to fit you family's needs!
Contact me