Image by EvelynGiggles via Flickr

If you love your birth work, chances are you’ve got of books. Lots of them. And what about organizing handouts for clients? Then there are the nifty tools we take to births. Here are a few tips to keep it all straight.

Books

How do you keep all your books straight? Since I’ve got many interests, I’ve got tons of books in lots of categories. In my office, I have a cabinet behind my desk. In this cabinet my books are separated by category on each shelf, and it’s where I keep books that I reference often. Most of my lending library books are in that cabinet. I also keep my dvds that I lend out in this cabinet.

For books that I don’t use as often, like my business reference books, breastfeeding reference books and parenting books, I keep them on shelves above a credenza that are across from my desk. They are also separated by category.

For books, cds and dvds, I put address labels on them so clients know they’re mine. This has worked well.

Handouts

I’ve used three methods of organizing handouts, so perhaps one of these will work for you.

1. Have electronic copies for everything and print them out as needed. Make sure to organize your files on your computer for easy retrieval. Previously, I shared some tips to organize your computer files. I typically print out a few handouts for clients prior to each prenatal or postpartum visit. I don’t necessarily give the same handouts to every client, and sometimes I discover or write ones I like better, so I prefer to print them as needed rather than keep a bunch on hand that have already been printed.
2. Print out several copies of handouts and store them in a hanging file in my file cabinet for quick access. The only handouts I usually print and store are my Phone Consultation Forms and Previous Birth Experience Forms. This way when potential clients call me I can grab one to fill out while I’m talking to them.
3. Create a binder with useful information about pregnancy, labor and birth, and postpartum care to lend to clients. When I first became a doula, I printed out new handouts for each client that had information I wanted them to read. Then I realized that these would likely be thrown out once they had the baby. I read about other doulas who create binders with all kinds of handouts in it at Alldoulas.com. There are some great threads in the forum about what people do to create their binders. I use 3-inch binders, sheet protectors so the handouts don’t tear while in the binders, and these specific subject dividers. The reason I like these dividers is because they stick out past the sheet protectors. They also have pocket folders which clients use to store other loose handouts that I give them. I like to use binders that let you insert a title page in front, like these. Because these supplies can be a bit costly, I recommend shopping around online for these supplies, or looking for a store near you that sells used office supplies. Create 2 or 3 binders with identical handouts, and you can lend them to your clients while working with them, then collect them at your postpartum visit. My clients have appreciated the variety of information I’ve included, and I sometimes replace or add new information. It’s worked great, is a time saver once it’s done, and it ultimately saves paper and copy costs or printer toner!

Birth Tools

I’ve found the best way to store my birth tools is to keep them in my birth bag, which is a small rolling suitcase. I have a birth ball cover for my birth ball, similar to this one. This makes it so easy to carry my ball, which is usually lent out to my doula client. She just brings it to the hospital with her, and I take it home after the birth. I actually store my birth ball separately between births in a plastic shoebox. After I wash and deflate the ball, I store it along with my double action ball pump and clean ball cover.

How do you organize your tools of the trade? Share your secrets in the comments.

These posts may also inspire you:

1. Resource – Handouts from Elizabeth Pantley
2. Resource – Handouts for Childbirth Educators and Doulas
3. Setting Up Your Home Office
4. Getting Your Books Straight
5. Backing Up Your Computer Files