When contacting an intern, you might want to ask her some questions, and do let her know that you received her name from this BIRTH WISDOM™ website.  

* Tell me about your experience with birth, personally and in your practice.
* What is your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labor?
* What are the actual services you provide.
* What do you think is the most important part of your job?
* May we meet with you to discuss our labor and birth plans and the role you will play in supporting me (us) through childbirth?
* Are there any limits to your availability?
* Do you have a back-up, for times when you are not available and may we meet with her?
* What care providers have you worked with?
* In what hospitals have you attended births?
* May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth?
* When do you try to join women in labor? Do you come to our home or meet us at the hospital?
* Do you meet with me (us) after the birth to review the labor and answer questions?
* What is your fee, and what does it include?
* Are there two of your past clients whom I may call? 

What to expect from your intern:

The BIRTH WISDOM™ Professional Labor Support/Perinatal Support Intern provides 24 hour-on-call pre-labor perinatal support as well as labor support for their clients from the time they reach the hospital, throughout the entire labor, through delivery, and for about two hours post-partum. 

The same PSS will stay by the side of the laboring woman throughout this whole period to nurture and protect the woman's memory of her birth experience.

* Identification of your priorities for the birth

* Birth preparation planning and discussion of common practices and procedures

* Up to two prenatal visits

* Prenatal meeting with your obstetrical care provider if desired

* Phone consultations as necessary

* 24 hour on-call beginning two weeks prior to your due date

* Continuous emotional and physical support during active labor and delivery throughout labor at home and at the hospital or birth center

* Breastfeeding assistance immediately following the birth

* Postpartum visit 

* Ongoing postpartum/breastfeeding support as needed and extensive referral services
 

A Professional Labor Support/Perinatal Support Specialist does not replace your obstetrical care provider, nor will they offer you a medical opinion. They will strongly encourage you to develop and maintain a trusting relationship with your obstetrical care provider (doctor or midwife). They will encourage you to communicate directly with your obstetrical care providers about your preferences and make it clear to them that they are not there to undermine, manage or in any way challenge your relationship with them. This goes a long way toward preventing uncomfortable situations. They are happy to meet with them at your prenatal visit.  (You might want to show your obstetrical care provider these guidelines.)

Before the baby is born they will meet with you in your home. This will enable them to begin to develop a relationship with you and assist you with concerns during your pregnancy and enhance their care for you during labor.  As you get closer to your due date they may speak frequently with you by phone about how you are feeling and what you are experiencing.

During labor people ask them to come to their home at the point where previous relaxation techniques aren't helping as much and a new perspective might be useful. Sometimes women want to see them right after their first contraction, other times they are called when the woman is in active labor and the baby is born soon after. It is hard to determine in advance what your particular needs will be. During labor, they will assist you with comfort measures, offer suggestions about relaxation, positioning and nourishment. They will encourage you to maintain an attitude of normalcy and flexibility. They will discuss your progress and when heading to the hospital is appropriate.

*Please note that they do not perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, and vaginal exams. They are there to provide non-pharmaceutical facilitation of labor, emotional support, physical comfort measures, reassurance, clarity and informed, knowledgeable information

At the hospital they will accompany you and continue assisting you as they did at home. They can be with you for as little or as much of your labor as you like.  You and your partner may desire privacy or you may wish for more active participation on their part; they will respect your wishes. Their goal is to help you and your partner in whatever ways necessary. They are hired by you, and they answer only to you and they will work hard to help you achieve your goals; but will NOT stand in your way if you change your mind

They are trained and experienced in many ways of helping women through labor and birth and are also skilled in assisting partners and other support persons in ways of helping facilitate labor. They provide an objective viewpoint and assistance in getting the information you need to make informed decisions. 

*They do not make decisions for you. However, they will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision about any procedures or situations that may come up unexpectedly and will help you understand what is going on and help you incorporate changes if and when the need arises.

*They do not speak directly to the clinical staff regarding matters where decisions are being made, but they facilitate communication between you, your partner and your obstetrical care providers. They will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options and information to help clarify issues as necessary. You and your partner will speak on your own behalf to the clinical staff.

*They DO NOT bring their own agenda to your birth; but work as a team with your obstetrical care provider and share their goal of a healthy baby and a healthy mom. 

If a complication or emergency arises, they will help you to understand the situation and work effectively with your birth team to foster a good outcome. How you feel about your labor and the birth of your baby is their ultimate concern. Should a cesarean section become necessary they will explore the reasons and procedures with you. If hospital policy allows, and if you so desire, they will accompany you and your partner during the surgery. In an emergency situation the medical staff will 'take over'. If there is no time for explanations, they will provide as much immediate emotional comfort as they can to you and your family. Afterwards, they will help you to process the events and understand what happened and why.

After the baby is born they will stay with you for the delivery of the placenta and any other post-partum procedures. They will help you to put the baby to the breast and begin breastfeeding. When you are settled with your baby and feel comfortable with breastfeeding they will go home.

Within a week after the birth they will meet with you again at your home. At that time they discuss the birth, and any breastfeeding questions or problems you may have and will continue to be available to you by phone as needed.

Occasionally they are unable to attend a birth for unforeseen reasons. In that case you will be accompanied by one of their associates, during your pregnancy you can meet with them so that you have a chance to become acquainted.

Their presence at your birth will allow you and your partner to experience the birth of your baby as fully as possible. Without the pressure of not knowing what to do in case of a difficult or long or powerful labor, your partner will be able to be there for you at all times.

The intern and your partner work together, they are there in addition to, not instead of, your partner, and they make the perfect support team for you, complementing each other's strengths. 

Your partner (the baby's father or another loved one) plays an essential role in providing support for you in labor as they have intimate knowledge and love for you and your baby in a way no other person can duplicate. The pressure on your partner is decreased and they can participate at their own comfort level and they enjoy the experience more as they are assisted and guided in effective ways to help you in labor.