Would you have a Doula?

[InMemoryOfSleep]

I’m considering training as a Doula, and I’m interested to know people’s reasons for choosing to have one (or not!). Is cost a factor? Also, do people find it a bit ‘woo’?! One of the issues I had when searching for a Doula locally is that the few available offer things like shamanic healing, placenta encapsulation, etc, which is just not for me . I wondered if there is a place for a sensible, supportive birth Doula, without the new age approach, or is that missing a vital part of what the role is about?

This thread has now got me researching doulas in my area for myself!

Lipstick, what’s your problem? You’ve made your point.

Yes I absolutely want a doula if I have another child. (A female doula, I should add! I don’t want to fuel the derail, but I would not want a male one.)

Before I had DS, I thought a doula would be a good idea for someone who didn’t have a suitable birth partner, but a bit superfluous otherwise. But the antenatal class I attended was run by a doula, and one of the other pregnant women doing the class brought her doula with me, so I learned a bit more about what they do at the class. And I realised the true value of a doula after I gave birth, and shared birth experiences with other women. So many of us were not given adequate care or respect by the midwives who were supposed to be looking after us. Most of us had our husbands/partners at the birth, but the men didn’t have the experience, knowledge or objectivity to successfully advocate and negotiate on our behalf. On paper my birth wasn’t “that bad” but I still feel upset about certain things, more than a year later. So if I do have another baby, I will get a doula to help make sure I get better and more respectful care next time around.

Good luck to you OP, I think there is definitely a need for your services! It’s just persuading people who haven’t yet learned the hard way.

No, doula training isn’t degree level.there may be modules or credits accrued to degree
The degree itself won’t be a qualification as doula. As there is no formal qualification as doula
You’re referring to course content modules inc doula content.

I’d ask anyone embarking on new job/course how they’ll cover their own childcare whilst working
Childcare.It’s wholly pertinent to how you plan employment change. It’s not worthy of the face
And you’re considering job with antisocial hours etc,so yes have you considered this

@LipstickHandbagCoffee ok, thank you for your input, but it’s fairly irrelevant and not the point of the thread. Yes, the Doula modules are part of a degree, but as so many women have pointed out on here, being a Doula is about more than a qualification. Yes, I’ve thought about childcare and have it covered, no I don’t need your input on it.

I think we can safely assume that Lipstick won’t be using your services

Luckily there are others who will!

Right we have established you’ve planned for potentially working unsocial hours. Obviously the working hours will fit the demands of the client

Yes I am asking about childcare. I’m not demanding minutiae like the kids names and family faveourite cereal. I’m simply stating the obvious like plan for childcare. So no I’m not sure why you’re pulling a face?on mn at any given time,any job change thread people will discuss childcare

Regard working as an hca in maternity ward. Well, that’ll be the doula working environment. If you’ve not worked on health before I’d suggest try get a hca job to familiarise self with the environment,pace,job roles. Meet the staff you’re potentially working alongside with and going to encounter. Understanding those factors would be advantageous.

Wow, so now you’ve moved on from repeatedly shifting all over OP’s job choice to repeatedly giving patronising unsolicited advice.

Yep I think I’m just not going to encourage Lipstick any more but thank you everyone else for your helpful advice and input.

Given op started a thread seeking opinion about being a doula,it’s not unsolicited
It is really interesting that any mention of the unregulated training is banging on. Why is it unsettling to raise this?

Childcare,yes it’s pertinent to bring it up.given doulas work 24-7 at client request. And factor in the cost of childcare if using paid for childcare

A birth doula will then go ‘on call’ towards the end of pregnancy (typically around 38 weeks) and will then be available 24/7 From doula uk site

Finally if op has no experience of hospital environment yes I would recommend trying to get experience.it will be advantageous

I considered a post natal doula - didn't feel like I needed it in the end but would consider it again if we had another. To help with the baby, breastfeeding, general support as we don't have much family support.

@LipstickHandbagCoffee last one - I actually started a thread asking whether women would have a Doula, and their reasons why or why not. I didn’t ask about becoming a Doula, and wasn’t looking for career or childcare advice, as I’ve already considered all of that. Regarding ‘mentioning’ the training, I think you’ve done a bit more than that and you’ve had several responses, so I think you can let it rest now.

Well here’s how threads work...we all post, back and forth.me,you,everyone else
You don’t get to determine who responds or when.
If you want to chose who responds to your musings go on WhatsApp invite folk you know

“we all post, back and forth.me,you,everyone else”

Ha, well some more than others. You, for example, have posted 22 times and counting. Out of 139 posts in total. Talk about labouring your point (no pun intended ).

Lipstick is being rude!

No.
Op not liking the content of my posts doesn’t make me rude.in the least
And it’s wholly pertinent to ask about childcare if one undertakes a24-7 job
And as I’ve said I don’t think 2 days training to be doula is rigorous.

@LipstickHandbagCoffee BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT I ASKED!! I don’t know how many ways to say it, but you’re giving unsolicited advice that has nothing to do with the question I asked or the content of the thread, so please do feel free to stop now.

You’re v aerated

Anyway, back to the thread - @Hanuman I’m really interested in the role of a postnatal Doula, I’ve only considered antenatal as that’s what I’ll be training in, but I’d certainly like to expand if it’s support that women find valuable.

It just seems like a way for people to make money out of women. Luckily it's usually women that can comfortably afford it that are getting fisted.

@headinhands thanks for that umm, interesting viewpoint. Do you not think women are capable of making an informed decision? I’m pretty sure Doulas aren’t just con artists, giving up huge amounts of their time and energy to support women, just to make a few quid. And it’s hardly the pathway to becoming a millionaire - most Doulas just charge enough to cover costs and a relatively low hourly rate.

Sorry. That's how I view it. I don't claim to represent most people. If I felt I needed another person I would have just asked a friend. To me, the doula thing looks like status signalling.

Doulas are restricted to middle class given the fees it’s not accessible to all
And yes I know some doulas do reduced fees

Op if you only work antenatally that means your clients will have to find a new doula for birth and postnatal. Can you see it’s quite limited business model.Do you envisage only antenatal appts and support then?Your Clients will have to find a birthing doula for the action,because let’s fsce it the birth is the action. Why would a pg woman have a doula who doesn’t do births? Kind of seems to miss the point.

Again do factor in childcare 1st scan appt could be 8am
Private hospitals offer evening & early morning consultations

Doulas are either antenatal (ie covering pregnancy and birth) or postnatal. They are very different roles, hence why Doulas tend to specialise in one of the other.

Lipstick, I really think that someone who's interested enough in birth to become a doula is probably aware that babies don't all arrive neatly between 9am and 5pm.