Eumom's guidelines for chats with new mothers
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Monday February 02 2009
Eumom representatives are told they must always present themselves as Eumom staff, rather than hospital staff. They have to carry an ID and dress in Eumom-branded clothing.
They are also told never to touch a baby, never to touch personal belongings, never to take information from a mother's chart, and never to sit on a bed.
The guidelines for conversations with new mothers are as follows:
- Politely ask new mom if she has received her free Eumom backpack. 'Good morning. I hope I'm not disturbing you. I'm from Eumom.' It's vital that mom knows you are from Eumom and not hospital staff.
- 'Did you receive your free Eumom backpack? If you don't mind, I just need to get some details from you.'
- 'Did you have a boy or a girl' -- usually make some comment like 'I see with all the pink it has to be a little girl'.
- 'Is it your first baby?' If yes, make comment like 'It's such an exciting time'. If no, ask ages of other children. Make comment like 'Another little girl -- they'll be great pals'.
- Ask name and address -- make sure you get correct details and fill in each letter in each box. Must stress the importance of getting this right. Get telephone number.
- Ask permission to use details to send out further free samples and product information.
- If no, explain that (they will) usually start receiving samples/coupons/product information about two months after birth. In four months, will receive coupon to collect plus box [show flyer]. Everything that's sent out is age and stage appropriate to the baby.
- V important to reassure mom that: a) Eumom is custodian of her details; b) Eumom uses it in collaboration with partner companies; c) Eumom's collection and usage of data complies with data protection office guidelines.
If after explaining the procedure, she still says 'No', that is fine.
- Respect that it is mom's prerogative to say 'No'. If she says No, show her the 'No' box and put an 'X' in it.
- Final question: Do you have private health insurance? If so, VHI/Quinn/Hibernian? If asked why we need to know -- we are conducting a survey.
- Finally, thank the mom for her cooperation -- congratulate her and wish her the very best with her bundle of joy.
