Midwives and complementary therapies

[Yorky]

I am thinking of training as a midwife when I finish having babies, but as #3 is due in May and we're not sure it'll be the last it could be a while before I get started as we can't realistically afford to pay for childcare while I'm a student. I was thinking that studying something while being an at home mum would be useful preparation and that maybe something like homeopathy or reflexology would be good alongside normal midwifey things

Any thoughts?

Thank you

My friend has trained to be doula (she had to get aupair though to cover childcare emergencies when she is working) and the training didn't take that long, and she's really enjoying it.

BTW homeopathy not an easy option, my friend did 3 years of it (4 year course) - a full day a week (over a 4 year period) plus lots of homework and then gave up after 3 years as it was all too much....

Thank you MumNWLondon,

Do you mind me asking why your friend chose to be a doula instead of a midwife?
Interesting what you say about the homeopathy course - scary!

acupuncture might be worth looking into as well. I think some mws do it locally and is popular.

I see someone who does complementary therapies who used to be a midwife (so the other way around). She specialises in pregnant women - so homeopathy, reflexology, bowen technique, indian head massage etc.

I think if you are training to be a midwife you are classed as 'working' but check this with tax credits or the uni. Then you would be able to claim childcare - or ask the uni if they have childcare bursaries available. This depends on how much your partner earns.

I haven't really asked but assume it's because it takes 3 days and less than £500 to become a doula and she has quickly managed to get clients, and so has had lots of great experience... and she self employed so is in control of what work she takes on, not answerable to any hospitals etc.

Becoming a midwife would have taken significantly longer, involved shift work in hospitals and probably wouldn't be any better paid!

Here is her link:

doula

I suspect her rates are only possible as she is based in London though....

have you considered hypnobirthing training? seems to be popular and not cheap so therefore possibly quite lucrative. otherwise agree that becoming a doula might be a great option and give you a very good insight as to whether you would like to be a midwife eventually.

chocolaterabbit I looked into acupuncture and it's a LOT of training. You have to do a full degree if I remember rightly.

Thank you for your replies

I think reflexology training could be quite interesting anyway (DH would love me to practice on him!), acupuncture would worry me more - quite apart from being such a big commitment.

The doula idea is interesting, as is indian head massage. Must go and google bowen technique now...