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Original poster

Becoming a Doula

30 replies

dizzydo · 14/03/2007 12:37

I know that there are a few Doulas on Mumsnet and I would be really grateful to hear of how you got in to it, which organisation you trained with, books you might recommend. There is so much info on the web and so many different organisations offering courses I am rather overwhelmed. I am london based. Thank you in advance ...

OP posts:
frumpygrumpy · 14/03/2007 12:38

Marslady and lulumama are two on MN I know of. If I see them I'll trip them up and point them to you........

Original poster
dizzydo · 14/03/2007 12:39

thank you so much

OP posts:
whoopsfallenoveragain · 14/03/2007 12:42

Just shout VBAC & Lulu will come running

lulumama · 14/03/2007 12:48

hello!!!

i did the nuturing birth course, nurturing birth and Mars trained with Michel Odent..

if you look at doula uk there is a list of the 5 courses that doula uk recognise....if indeed you do wish to be able to register with doula uk

books...well, i love any by Ina May Gaskin and Sheila Kitzinger , just reading some by Janet Balasksas

Mars has loads of experience, and is a wonderful help,she is in London , I have not had my first RL birth yet !! but am hoping to get there soon !

also Hertsnessex is down south, she has been at 3 or 4 births i think, so she can certainly give you some info !

lulumama · 14/03/2007 12:48

thanks whoops !

Original poster
dizzydo · 14/03/2007 12:52

Hi Lulu, that was quick!!
I saw the Michel Odent course on the web am a fan of his. will go and look at nurturing birth thanks for the link

I am right in thinking Doula UK are the registered body for Doula's or can one chose whichever appeals. ie. presumably Doula UK doesnt recognise Michel Odent's course? Sorry if stupid question

OP posts:
lulumama · 14/03/2007 12:58

doula uk recognise the michel odent course and nuturing birth and paramana and a couple of others

mars is definitely on doula uk ! and so am i !

they recognise 5 courses, then when you have completed one ,you can be added to doula uk as a trainee for an annual fee, then hopefully ,when parents are looking fr a doula, they will use the find a doula search on doula uk !

also, NB will place doulas too !

mrsmalumbas · 14/03/2007 13:04

If you are interested in distance learning you can also try Childbirth International . I trained with them as a doula and a childbirth educator and am now their trainer for the UK and Europe. I think it's a great programme, extremely comprehensive, and gives you lots of knowledge and confidence in areas not covered by the shorter weekend workshop type programmes. We cover all the essential areas such as physiology of pregnancy, birth and lactation, but with a lot of emphasis on communication skills, as well as doula skills and topics such as setting up a business, marketing, and so on. We are relatively small in the UK but growing rapidly with over 300 students in 42 different countries. And once you graduate you retain lifetime membership for free. Feel free to CAT me if you want more information.

PeckaRolloverAgain · 14/03/2007 13:05

Im one too I did same course as Lulu

lulumama · 14/03/2007 13:05

mrsm!! i emailed you back !!

i think ! check your spam box just in case !

have no memory !

mrsmalumbas · 14/03/2007 13:06

Sorry just to add that Doula UK are basically a voluntary organisation for networking and so on - there is absolutely no requirement to be registered with them or to attend one of their recognised courses, although of course it is a good way of getting clients and meeting other doulas.

Original poster
dizzydo · 14/03/2007 13:06

Are you still training Lulu or practicing?

OP posts:
mrsmalumbas · 14/03/2007 13:06

Hi lulumama yes you do keep ending up in my spam box!! Saw your message last night - will reply in a mo! XX

hertsnessex · 14/03/2007 13:07

hi dizzy,

im just finishing my training now, so hope to be 'recognised soon' instead of a trainee on DUK.

i work in herts, essex and london.

i done the nurturing birth course and loved it, DUK is great, so many of my jobs have come from there.

mars is fab, she is in nw london (i think!).

if you need to know more just shout.

primalbirth.co.uk

cx

p.s. lulu, glad to hear you are on there now, have you posted yet?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

lulumama · 14/03/2007 13:07

am a trainee, as not attended four births

doula uk recognise you as a doula after 4 births, until then you are a trainee

lulumama · 14/03/2007 13:08

thanks mrsm!!

not been on the forum , herts, as could not get in! but had an email from DUK to tell me how to do it,so will get on asap !

hertsnessex · 14/03/2007 13:09

come and say hi soon!

cx

Original poster
dizzydo · 14/03/2007 13:17

ooh thank you. What a helpful bunch you are! Mrsm I will cat you thanks. Do you guys specialise in one aspect, i.e. birth or post natal etc. I am considering starting off in post natal to fit in more with childcare but would love to be involved in the whole thing really.

OP posts:
Original poster
dizzydo · 14/03/2007 13:18

my own childcare that is.

OP posts:
Original poster
dizzydo · 14/03/2007 13:19

hertsnessex would love to find out your experience as a trainee. I will email you thanks.

OP posts:
MarsLady · 14/03/2007 16:04

Hi dizzy. You can email me on lovelymarslady at aol dot com. I did the Paramana course with Michel Odent. The beauty of joining DoulaUK is that the work comes to you. Where in London are you? I'm in NE London.

If you like we could meet up for a chat or you could email me and I'll let you have my number and you can call.

Original poster
dizzydo · 14/03/2007 16:25

thanks Mars, have emailed you.

OP posts:
MarsLady · 14/03/2007 16:30

Call dear. You know you want to! Just making creamy seafood for tea so my hands are free and the kids are currently [shhhhhhhhhhhh] elsewhere.

Plus I'm out tonight, working tomorrow and not quite sure about the weekend.

lulumama · 14/03/2007 16:35

call mars !!! now !

frumpygrumpy · 14/03/2007 16:36

Mars doesn't doula one bit. Don't listen to her. She salsas her way through life and occassionally pops into labour wards to shake her bosoms in the face of mothers-to-be to kickstart their labours, wearing a sequinned bikini and very high heels

Seriously, if I were ever to have more children......I'd send a private jet for her.......