How do I become a DOULA?

[EmilyandLola]

I would like to be nudged in the right direction please...

I would like to be a doula, help me please?

right here!

the one i will be doing soon!

believe lulumama did this one too.

bugger! hang on!

thqat is terrifying
that anyoen can be one

nurturing birth.

yes but you dont pretend then to be in a position of authority over other poeples kids

Check out www.childbirthinternational.com they do a very comprehensive distance learning programme, also there is a comparison chart on there showing the costs etc of different courses that are available. There is also a free downloadable course on becoming a doula which might give you an insight into whether or not this is what you really want to do before signing up for an expensive programme.

Bear in mind you don't actually need to be trained/certified as a doula - it's a preference really. Women have been doula-ing for one another for years without it ever being given a formal name. Doula UK is a voluntary organisation, there is no legal requirement to be trained with them or with anyone else but it does give you more confidence and lots of people like the status/networking aspects of it.

You could just start by reading a few books - there are lots of good ones out there if you go on Amazon and search on "doula".

CAT me if you want more information about childbirth international.

Forgot to add there are birth doulas and postnatal doulas, some people do both, some only do one. Most birth doulas do a little bit of postnatal support as well but not the full-on babycare stuff that a postnatal doula might offer. Depends on your preferences I guess. Me, I love the pregnancy/birth bit but not the postnatal part so much. I also do birth photography although have never charged separately for it, it's just part of the service, and am a childbirth educator which brings another great aspect to it as well as being a good source of clients. Some doulas also offer things like massage/yoga, or hypnobirthing, so you can really make it into quite a holistic business if you feel so inclined.

Muminfife - you are quite right, doulas don't have any authority and don't give any medical advice (and if they are giving advice then they are acting outside their scope of practise). Doulas might give information, or suggest alternatives, but that's different. A doula is very much focused on the emotional/physical needs of the parents, not on telling them what to do.

I did the nurturing birth course too...was fantastic....

there was a thread about this in 'going back to work'

i am going to do the CBI course mrsm mentioned to become a childbirth educator

i did the nb course too. i know marslady done the paramana one.

start off by reading something like spiritual midwfiery, or michel odent books, or sheila kitzinger and see how you feel from there.

cx