What counseling techniques might a doula employ during prenatal visits?

The choice of active listening and motivational interviewing as effective counseling techniques during prenatal visits aligns well with the supportive role of a doula. Active listening involves fully engaging with the client, ensuring that the doula understands their concerns, emotions, and needs. This technique fosters an environment of trust and support, allowing the client to feel heard and validated.

Motivational interviewing is a counseling approach that enhances a person's motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. This is especially beneficial in prenatal visits where clients may have various feelings about their pregnancy, birthing choices, and preparation for parenthood. By employing motivational interviewing, a doula can assist clients in articulating their desires, fears, and goals regarding childbirth, empowering them to make informed decisions.

In contrast, the other techniques presented are less effective in building a supportive relationship. For example, passive listening and directive questioning may not facilitate the depth of understanding and reflection that the doula-client relationship thrives upon. Ignoring client emotions and focusing on logistics dismisses the emotional aspect of the prenatal experience, which is critical for clients preparing for birth. Using humorous anecdotes may sometimes be helpful in specific contexts, but it can also risk minimizing the seriousness of the client’s feelings and experiences, which is not conducive to a