doulas

[Phraedd]

sorry, not sure if this is in the right place

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 havent use done but id love to train too.

u have plenty of experience as i do as well being a doula isnt a regular pay unless ur extra busy, why not google it and see if there is any in ur area or do a doula search on doula uk.
or why not do a antenatal teaching or postnatal discussion leader couse with the nct

You should go onto childbirth for this one. Lots of doula chat there.

I had a doula. She was wonderful. She caught my baby when he arrived before the midwives did. And she was an amazing presence when I was in labour. Totally calmed me down then just let me get on with it. Wonderful wonderful woman! When the midwives arrived there was a totally different energy. Much more brisk and business-like. Up 'til then it had been a dream birth - basically thanks to Kirsty the doula.