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Becoming a doula is both extremely rewarding and tough.
It isn't really the training or studying that is tough. After all, this is
something you have a passion for, right? The tough part is deciding if
this is the life you want and then finding out what that life looks like in your
area. I would be happy to help you in figuring those aspects out.
_FAQ
As_a_Doula...
Let's start with what a doula's life is like:
As a Doula...
- ...I have cried when a new mother cried
as she held her baby for the first time.
- ... I have smiled encouragement to a new
father as he whispered in his wife's ear how strong and beautiful she was.
- ... I have left the room to give a couple
time to just be close and love on each other.
- ... I have bit my tongue when I disagreed
with choices couples made.
- ... I have given up any agenda or soap-box I
might have on an issue in order to support a mother's decisions.
- ... I have spoken up to support a mother in
her decisions even when it wasn't popular, but never when it was
antagonistic.
- ... I have missed family vacations. I
have left movies early. I have put my family's life on hold for the
sake of people who are complete strangers to them.
- ... I have seen babies born in pain and in
joy.
- ... I have seen babies born who were not
ready. I have held the mother's hand and comforted the father as they
gazed at their child through a window.
- ... I have seen blood and even come home to
find it on my shoes.
- ... I have seen fecal matter and vomit.
- ... I have had mother's cry out that they
could not go on and please, please, take the pain away.
- ... I have heard mothers roar with the force
of contractions moving through them.
- ... I have seen a baby born with a broken
clavicle. It cried not because it was cold and out of the womb, but
because it was in pain.
- ...I have seen birth flow right through a woman; watched
her as her body opened and her life grew rich with the experience.
- ... I have seen dads that were loving and
supportive. And I smiled and whispered words of encouragement to them.
- ... I have seen dads who were unsure and
distant. And I have made suggestions and explained until they were
comfortable again.
- ... I have had to make choices about what I
am willing to give up in my own life, and in my family's lives.
Sometimes I have had to not take on a client.
- ... I have had to explain that "No, I don't
deliver babies."
- ... I have had to spell "D-O-U-L-A" not
"A-D-O-U-L-A".
- ... I have had to explain why I am worth
every last cent of my fee.
- ... I have had cramps in my abdomen from
pushing along with a mom.
- ... I have had to deal with medical staff who
might not like me or what I stand for.
- ... I have grown as a woman. I have
lived richly for all the lives that I have come in contact with.
Being a doula isn't always fun, but it is worth it for
many women who choose to go down this path. Being a doula is an
immense, exciting and dynamic career.
What are some of the FAQs?
- Can I be a doula with small children of my own?
- Yes, it is possible. You need to make sure you
have reliable childcare; family, a list of friends to call, or a hired
on-call sitter. You need to make sure that your children are old enough and/or
capable enough to go for a whole day and night without you being their
care-giver. You might end up spending over 24 hours with a couple.
-
- Can I be a doula if I have never given birth
myself?
- Yes, there are some who will see this as an advantage
because you do not have the "baggage" that some doulas, who have had good or
bad birth experiences, might have. You do not have to be a mom to know
how to mother. Be ready also, to have those who do not want to
hire you because they would prefer to have someone who has gone before them
and can say "I have done this, you can too." Focus on what
you as an individual can bring to their birth.
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- Why should I certify through
CAPPA?
- There are a number of reasons that I began my journey
to become a doula through CAPPA. I actually started out looking at
other organizations, but was so impressed with the personal attention my
questions received from CAPPA that I stayed there. Since then I have
never had cause to regret it.
- I have attended two of their CEU
conferences, free to members, over the years and have nothing but praise for
them. The speakers were excellent and the conferences were very
professional and had great variety in the topics covered.
- I have also continued to be impressed with how
personal the leadership of CAPPA is. I have loved getting to know the
ladies that are in charge of the daily grind that is necessarily to run such
a large organization. They do it with a joy and love for the job that
you don't see in many places. CAPPA is also the only organization that
can certify you as an Antepartum, Labor and
Postpartum Doula, not to mention their Lactation Educator and Childbirth
Educator programs. CAPPA has a real emphasis how helping their members
become better doulas and to help them market themselves to their community.
Take a look a their website and feel free to contact me with questions.
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- What does my training from With Child, LLC
include?
- Please see our Doula
Trainings page for more information.
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