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.

Where are profiles? I cant see them on them on the main menu

princessmel - yes I found her on doulauk. She is a trainee - has one more birth to go I think. I was her first homebirth and all went swimmingly so she has gained alot of confidence. She was all I could have wished for in birth but it has been fab having her come after too.

I have been involved with my local NCT for about 18 months now, i wrote an article for the quarterly newsletter, which got me one booking and another potential, but clashed with another client i had !! also, that was how i got invited to be on the MSLC...

Well this thread has prompted me to take the plunge and do a doula training course - the Michel Odent one I think!

Good luck PrincessMel, I hope it works out well for you.

I did the Michel Odent course. It was very inspiring... came out wanting another baby... but of course soon put that idea out of my head.

I tell my potential clients that I am a doula with no tricks. One of the things that Michel said that remains with me was this "It is not your birth it is her birth. Why do you need to bring more than your quiet support?" I don't do massage, reflexology etc. Some people want that, lots don't. I'm busy and having to turn people down. Lots comes through DUK, some through word of mouth and recommendation.

Wonderful thing to do. I adore doula-ing.

Go for it!!!!!!!!!

Hi Mars Mars is one of the lovely ladies I mentioned earlier.

yay! for daisy...who will be (and is really already! ) a fantastic doula

have to say, that strikes a chord with me , mars..nothing more than quiet support....a lovely sentiment, and the essence of doulaing !

Mars, do you offer lemon drizzle cake as a service though?

Yes at premium rates!

You all seem so pro-active, it's scaring me. I am doing the reading for my workshop, taking a few notes and generally getting a feel for 'the doula thing' (which is what my dh calls it).
I have just read Michel Odent's Primal Health and although all the science made a lot of sense I am a little troubled by applying his theories to all the "diseases of civilisation". Can too much stress to mother and fetus really create a homosexual? Can not enough loving contact with your mother in the first year make an alcoholic?
The overall message of getting back in touch with our instinctuve and primordial self is very strong and incredibly important to birth.
I think I need to read some other stuff by him. Fascinated to know what doulas who trained with him think.

so basically, to get a lemon drizzle cake, i have to get pregnant, move to london and get mars to be my doula?

You must have something to say about Michel Odent Mars?

In person the man is lovely. His voice.... his voice.... his voice!!!!!!!!!!

I enjoyed the course, I loved listening to Liliana talk about her life as a doula.

The course was highly informative. Lots of people have done both NB and Paramana and enjoyed them. There's no course work with Paramana but there is an awful lot of info to take in and process.

I'm reading some of his books, but Ina is my fave. Fredrick LeBoyer as well. So many books, so little time.

I think with all things you take the bits that work for you. Some things I read I think... oh yeah... whatever. Sometimes I have to backtrack and accept what was said. Others, I don't.

So.......... do the course. Meet the delicious old man and then take what you will from his books. Whatever you think of him the man has knowledge.