2019: Better Climbing

Each year Doulas of Capitol Hill chooses a single word to be a guide for the year ahead. Our year for 2019 is “Better.”  

We identified three specific ways in which we can be “better” than we were a year ago: Communicators, Cooperators, and Climbers.  We chose these three target areas because they are also areas in which three year-olds are making strides in their development, and in February 2019 our company will turn three!

Today we focus on the last of our three areas of improvement: Climbing.  

When we thought about three year-old’s we know some of them can be quite daring and can be scaling furniture, or at least the heights of the playground. We thought of our climbing skills in terms of setting goals for the year ahead.

 Here are some of our big goals:

1. We are so happy to offer a diverse team of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) as well as Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs) among our breastfeeding experts to serve Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland. In 2019 we have set the goal to be in-network providers under several health care plans, so that our clients have an easier time getting the support they deserve.  Currently, our clients receive a superbill which they can submit to their insurance for reimbursement. We’re also collecting data on who has successful reimbursement through HSA and FSA as well as for insurance, in a post-support questionnaire.

2. Our next goal is about helping our clients have more information to make their selection in choosing a birth doula or postpartum doula.  We already have our 20 Point Profile, which is an awesome way for people wondering “how do I choose a doula?” This year we plan to feature a different team member each month on our Team Member Spotlight. We find these interviews are a great way for people to read more about the strengths, personality, and qualifications of the person they will choose for this momentous time in their lives.  In the past we’ve featured Emily Smith, Nicole Bruno, Ashley Woolsey, Kaely Harrod, and Kim Hawkins. We hope you’ll stay tuned for more Team Member Spotlights throughout 2019!

3. Let me tell you, doulas love acronyms.  Every single doula training or childbirth class we know (including group classes with Nested) teaches the acronym B.R.A.I.N which stands for Benefits. Risks. Alternatives. Intuition. do Nothing. This is a fantastic tool for parents to use during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum around decision making. For 2019 we have set what we feel are S.M.A.R.T goals around the number of clients served in and around the Beltway, as well as those who follow us on Facebook and Instagram around the world.  S.M.A.R.T stand for Specific. Measurable. Achievable. Relevant. And Timely. Hopefully, by having the experience of 3 years under our belts, we’ll reach all of our 2019 goals!

Thank you to all of our clients, community, colleagues, and those cheering us along for your support throughout the years! Here’s to a BETTER year ahead!