becoming a doula

[Phraedd]

i am thinking of becoming a doula.

I have 12 years experience as a nanny, and 6 months experience of working as a bank HCA on maternity.

I am a mum to 3 beautiful children and feel as though i have a lot to offer. I turned down my midwifery place at uni as i realised that midwifery is a huge amount of paperwork and stress and not enough hands on care of the new parents and their babies.

Are they a help or a hindrance in the delivery room. Should i just stick to post natal care? Is there much call for them? (i am in herts). I don't want to leave a job i love (supporting SEN children in a mainstream primary school) and find that i don't get anywhere with this. It is something that i have wanted to do for ages and my own children are now of an age where i can begin to think a bit more about what i want.

Would you ever use one? why?

All opinions gratefully received.

I wish I'd had one when I had my VBAC, now I've done a course to become one myself! We have a lot of Doulas who post here, one in particular called Hertsnessex who you may like to question!

Check out this previous thread

I always say to follow your heart, we only have one life! It's a tougher decision for you than it was for me, I hated my job, at least you do enjoy yours...

Next time, if I'm fortunate enough, I wouldn't comtemplate labouring without a Doula, as my local hospital is very scalpel happy which I found out to my cost! Next time, mind you, I plan on having a HWBAC anyway!

Go for it! It's a wonderful thing. There is a huge need for PN doulas. I'll point Hertsnessex in your direction.

Hi!

(Thanks mars and klaw)

so where abouts in herts are you?

what course are you thinking of?

i have 2 children - and it fits in around them ok.....most of the time!

cx

Hi

I'm in St Albans. I am thinking on doing the Nurturing Birth course through doula uk and then obviously registereing with them.

hi,

im near bishops stortford, and done the nb course. if i can be of any help just shout.

cx

What is the best way to advertise? Are you birth and post natal? Is there enough work for me if I do just post natal care?

(sorry lots of questions!)

Im sa recognisaewd birth and postnatal doula. I advertis with doula uk, aswell as nct, and my own website. births seem busier than pn work, but im booked from sept-dec with my pn clients.

cx

excuse the spelling, laptop got wet earlier!

hertsnessex....would it be ok to email you?

I have lots of questions....or would you rather i asked them here?

email is fine - [email protected]

cx