I would like to become a Doula

[TLCDoula]

And Id be so grateful if you lovely ladies could answer some of my worries & questions please. :)

Have you had/are you/would like to have a Doula?

Would you hire a doula who has two children but hasn't experienced natural childbirth (I had two c section, one emergency, one elective.

Would would you like your doula to help with? Antenatal, birth, postnatal care? Any particular requests ?

How much would you be willing to pay for a doula service? Set fee? Per visit etc?

Thank you so much xx

TLC I am a doula. I suggest you contact Doula uk, and Nurturing birth. They will answer all of your questions about becoming a doula.

The questions you have raised here don't really seem applicable to looking into becoming a doula, more researching if there is a call for them.

There is a big call for doulas what with over stretched maternity services

Each couple needs different areas of support and is specific to them

Some doulas don't have children at all, not do some midwives

As a trainee your fee would be capped until you have completed a mentored recognition process.

As I said befor DUK or NB will answer all of these questions in much better detail.

HTH. :)

Thank you very much Lia, much appreciated. Did you train with Nurturing Birth as I'm looking at them and another Doula training company in London?

Guess I'm trying to get a feel for whether it's a worthwhile avenue to go down & what would be required by the parents to be.

Thanks again :)

Definately a worthwhile avenue to go down. Being on call can be a little stressful sometimes but all part and parcel.

I think it's the best job in the world. Yes I trained with NB, great suppost too.

good luck, come back let us how you get on.

Im about to do doula training (next week) and one thing I would add as you mentioned a second company, is to make sure they are recognised by Doula UK. There are some training providers that don't follow DUK's core curriculum and training with them won't allow you to register with DUK, which at the very least will limit your opportunities to work, at worst you could be wasting money on substandard training.

hi there, i've used a doula for the births of both of my children (my son is now 3.5yrs old; hired the same amazing doula for the birth of my daughter three weeks ago.) She was worth her weight in gold! my first labour was a nightmare and would have been intolerable without her. my second labour, three weeks ago, was an amazing, positive experience, largely thanks to her. i think it's a wonderful job to do. I paid £800 + expenses - this is a pretty average London rate I think, and was for her to attend the birth, and visit us a couple of times during pregnancy and once after the birth. i also hired her for post natal support. rates for this seem to be around £15-£20 an hour in London. among many other things, she helped show me how to breastfeed, helped cook meals, looked after the baby for a few hours so i could sleep; and was also happy to look after my very energetic 3.5year old now and again, though this was above and beyond the call of duty! again, it was well, well worth the money - i had her for two weeks, not quite full time.

Thank you so much for all your replies, it's great to get more of an insight of what is involved.

Both of the courses I'm looking at are Doula UK approved, the other course I'm looking at is the one held by Dr Odent in North West London.

I'm in the South East and from looking at the directory, it seems there is a need for Doulas which is great.

I think I'm going to go for it. The only thing I wondered is how to gain experience as a trainee.

Thanks :)

I know the course includes stuff about setting up as a business, so I am hoping that, along with the mentor, will give ideas for getting trainee experience. Along with a listing on Doula UK, my plan (before having done the course and got better ideas) involved having a FB business page I can send out to friends who may know people who are expecting and keeping in touch with the local HB group and NCT so word gets around. I think there's probably a subtle balance in letting people know you are available without being pushy about it IYSWIM.

Once recognised you have to bring in your own business so I guess it's all much the same, possibly easier as a trainee when you are cheap!

When you do your training, become a member of DUK and you will be assigned a mentor. She is there to nurture you through your journey and to reflect with on births, clients, wobbles etc.

As a member of Duk you will have the opportunity to take out what is known as a Doulaography, which is a page that comes up that prospective parents can look at when they are searching for a doula. On there you can write a bit about yourself, your experience, (doesn't have to be birth, can be background etc) , any services that you offer, ie massage etc. It costs a tenner and is money well spent.

Also get a website set up , for the same reason, it will be linked under your name on DUK. You always have to bring in your own business, so network with other doulas too locally, once people know you, they are much more likely to recommend you if they are asked about a job they can't take on.

hth

Bump.

I am also interested in this. What are the costs involved for the course?

It varies wildly between courses. Your best bet OS to visit doula.org.UK and follow the links to the recognised courses.