Interested in becoming a Doula. Need to change my life.

[princessmel]

Hi,

I need to change my job. I've done the same thing for over 10 years and need to move on.

I really like the idea of being a doula. My friends always say I'd be good at it. I'm friendly and get on with people. I love babies and all things birth related etc.
(when I was pg with ds I got a bit addicted to discovery home and healths birth programmes)
I'm a qualified NNEB nanny and have done my CM course.
I'm a keen bfeeder. Still bf dd at 20m.
Had 2 babies.

I hope that It would fit in around my family life.

I've read an old thread and clicked on the links for Doula UK and Nurturing Birth and some others.

I think hertsinessex, lulu and mars are doulas is that right?

I'd like to know

1. Is it really hard to complete the courses?
2. How much work do you get? And how often do you work?
3. Would people think I'm too young? . I'm nearly 29.
4. Um not sure about a 4th!

I'm not really very Lentil weavery, does that matter? I like Heat magazine and Primark!

Thanks for helping me. I'm so fed up at the moment I'm finding it hard to smile today.

Anyone?

hi Mel...i'll link you to this thread, lentil weaving not compulsory!!

the hardest thing for me is childcare, as DH works odd and long hours, but i managed to find a CM who can help me on an ad hoc basis

The work for the NB course, was fine, lots of reading and written work, but manageable , and the work after can be done at your own pace..I have 3 clients booked, 2 potential, and 4 i have had to decline as they clashed with other births and no back up doulas where i live ! I am 31 , i don;t think the age is an issue, if you are an empathetic , nurturing person

go for it !!

Thanks Lulu. I'm in tears here. Dh just popped in and we just don't see how I can stop doing what I'm doing right now. We need me to earn some money but I need to change now!
I'll look at the thread.

You sound busy. Well done. Have you actually been to a birth yet?

first client went for elective c.s, so on call now for first birth !! eeeeeeek !!

you might be able to make more of a living as a post natal doula...

where in the country are you?? are there other doulas near you?

I know how you feel.... I was sooooooooo fed up at the Pit of Despair (affectionate (!) name for my old workplace) that eventually I handed in my notice at Christmas and enrolled on my Doula course in January. Times are very hard for us just now for many reasons but I am still happy to be working on my reading and written assignmnet. I cannot wait for my first client and am a little nervous to say the least! But it does feel right to be going down this route iykwim....

1. not really

2. can't answer that yet, seems busier in England but will get busier in Sctland I'm sure (that's where I am obviously!)

3. Any age is the right age! Just as it takes all sorts in life so we need all sorts of Doulas so that women have a choice and can find one that suits her and her family.

4. Get reading and researching!

5. Yes, do check out that thread that Lulu posted!

I don't need to earn masses but I do need to have a wage.

I'm interested in both types. Its not just about money its about me doing something new.

I'm in Hertfordshire. There are 3 listed on Doula uk.

Do you get on well with your client?

Seen your website BTW. Very nice

Hi Klaw. Glad you're feeling better.
I feel bad now saying things about my job. But its just that I've done it for soooo long and I need to change.

The written assignment scares me a bit actually. Not sure why. Its just been a while since I did that stuff.

have clicked with the women i have met, and they have all booked me! which is nice

if there are doulas near you, it can actually be better and easier to get work, as you can back each other up and do shared care

i have had to turn work down as no-one available to do that with, and i have other clients booked !

you can do the course, and then take it from there....you might find that the work flows, and you get really busy ! it is a bit of an unknown quantity,but doulas are becoming more well known and more sought after

thank you , DH made my website

Was your course expensive?
Did you enjoy it or was it more hard work rather than fun?

if you have a look at nurturing birth there should be details of the course and the fees

it was intensive, but immensely rewarding, learnt sooooo much ! i loved it, would have loved it to go on for much longer

What were the other people on the course with you like? Similar to you or not?
Thanks for helping me btw.

Can't open link.

The courses nearest me are on while I'm on holiday. Typical. June 6,7,8th

I would love to do something like this going forward would love to be a breastfeeding counsellor as breastfeeding rates up here (scotland) are so appalling. I have 2 under 3 and no family support, DP works long hours so until the DDs are at nursery or school I'm kind of stuck at home (nursery too expensive for 2 right now).

I would say go for it, I don't think you would ever regret it.

Hiya

I am a doula too and did the nurturing birth course.

I LOVED the course, got so much out of it and like Lulu could have happily stayed on it for much longer.

The work doesnt feel like work because I am learning all the time and love exploring everything to do with childbirth/babies/labour etc

1. Is it really hard to complete the courses? See above!
2. How much work do you get? And how often do you work? I have just attended my first birth and will be getting postnatal work from that. Im booked in for a twin birth in June with lots of postnatal birth and another one in October
3. Would people think I'm too young? . I'm nearly 29. I am only 26 and it hasnt caused me any problems!

"I'm not really very Lentil weavery, does that matter? I like Heat magazine and Primark!" This made me laugh, I am SO not a lentil weaver and I too love heat and primark! In fact I read heat magazine whilst my lady was resting in between contrations on Tuesday at the birth!!!

Lots of luck

If you need any more help or support feel free to email me. [email protected].

I was/am a childminder too

On my course, the workshop attendees were all very different but all had passion!!!

Not sure if all courses ask for a written assignment, mine does and it is nerve wracking but it's not formal, it's about writing down where you're coming from, what being a Doula means to you, Apparently there's no right or wrong! I plan to hand mine in the next week or so, I can let you know how I go?

Also, I would expect that as you need to read and research and attend a workshop there's no immediate hurry to resign, you can continue to work for a while.

Unfortunately, work doesn't come in immediately, it might be a slow build up as you gain experience... and it's not about earning a great living, it's a way of life and is about following your heart. At least that's what I'm tellign myself! Being where you are sounds like work will come in fairly quickly!

The bonus is that the beaurocrats in the NHS are doing such a good job of cocking up that women are increasingly looking to Doulas or their female relatives for support!

mel- you might be able to travel to a course after your hols

the course i was on , was in my home town, there was one other woman on it from our town, the rest were from all over the place !! some stayed over, in a B&B, others commuted....

there was a vast range of ages and experiences on the course..but so far i am the only one who has completed it and registered with doula uk as a trainee....so maybe it is not for everyone? i had a strong gut feeling it would be my 'thing' and so far it is !!

Princessmel, you said "thanks for helping me" in one of your posts.... just look at the number of people jumping in with their thoughts....that's what being a Doula is, we are passionate and generous! We love to support others!

there will be other dates later in the year! It's still possible if you can be flexible!

absolutely Klaw.......being warm, giving and wanting to help is part of it ! cannot imagine many doulas being driven by purely mercenary needs..!

Sweetkitty, where are you?

Thanks everyone. I'm feeling a bit more cheerful now reading these. Just spoken to my sister who said not-very-helpfull things like 'At least you're with your children in the day and you could be working in a factory etc'
People just don't get how I'm fed up at the moment. I'm always like 'I'm ok, everythings fine' etc but I've had enough.

I know I'm lucky to be with my children while I work but I am still allowed to look for change aren't I?

Pecka, do you have any children? Do you cm and doula at the same time. Well not actually at the same time but I mean you do both jobs still?

Lulu, I wonder why the others didn't go on to complete the course?
Yes maybe I could go elsewhere but I thought it would be helpfull(and easier) to train with people near home. Is that not the case?

Klaw, yes please. I'd love to know how you do. Will it be marked?

Thanks sweetkitty.x

Another thought for you Mel, is that there are workshops in London and Bristol in Spetember run by Birthing from Within

You might find them too lentilly for your taste but I loved that book!! And many of the Doulas in Scotland are expressing an interest in attending a workshop with them if we can get them to come to Scotland next year. I don't think they are any more lentilly that Ina May