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Original poster

Advice on new career with pregnant women and new mums

130 replies

Pupuce · 14/02/2002 21:58

All right.... I need some advice. Some of you know that I am going to be out of a job in a few months (other thread) and I am seriously considering a change of direction...
I love the subject of pregnancy and care of babies... and whilst some of you believe I regurgitate GF stuff only I am much more open minded than that.
What sort of training are you familiar with (I read some of you have worked with Michel Odent) that might help me get more professional experience in these fields (I don't mind retraining) - I am not sure what sort of job I would do (yet), but it would have to be with pregnant mums and with mothers of young children... Any suggestion/experience/advice MUCH appreciated

OP posts:
floops · 09/10/2002 22:42

Excellent site pupuce! How do you go about getting trained to teach yoga to pregnant and postnatal women? Also does anyone know how to get trained in teaching baby massage?

SueDonim · 10/10/2002 15:48

A beautiful site, Pupuce, and easy to use. Good luck with your business - it's a sort of one-stop-shop for pregnancy, birth and postnatal care which I'm sure will be very popular!

Have you had any enquires via the website yet? Also, when it takes off in a big way will you be thinking about employing doula staff or do you want to keep it personal?

ionesmum · 10/10/2002 21:12

Lots and lots of luck, Pupuce.

Original poster
pupuce · 10/10/2002 21:43

Hi guys,

Thanks for the lovely words of encouragement everyone (I added pictures to the webiste if you are interested !)

Floops...
Baby massage : I am not sure, I know one person who has had extensive training but not 100% sure that everyone who calls themselves a baby massage expert have necessarily had her extensive training.
Pregnancy yoga... well that's also another tricky one... some are yoga teachers in the first place (via British wheel of yoga or something "similar" ) or others are yoga fanatics who are taking special courses -like via the "Active Birth Centre" or "Birthwise" or the "Yoga Centre" to teach pregnant mums. My own course is a mix between yoga based exercise and ante-natal class.
To teach as an antenatal teacher you can go via the NCT or Ace graphics, there is also OPE (I believe)... anyway... there isn't 1 body that certifies you....

SueDonim... good question.... some (nice) friends are already talking to me about franchising,... hmm... let's first get a paying woman ! I am going into this because I LOVE the topic... not because I want to become an famous business woman... I have had my share of the spot light in my (just defunct) career where I did very well thank you... I want to enjoy myself now and dedicate my efforts to empowering women to have a positive birth experience.

OP posts:
floops · 12/10/2002 08:19

You've set out to do something you are really interested in pupuce and good luck to you I hope it all goes well. Your postings have inspired me to throw caution to the wind and rethink what I am doing. Hence all the questions. Thanks for your reply.

Original poster
pupuce · 06/05/2003 20:24

Hello everyone

I thought I'd update you (8 months later).... as it is in big parts thanks to your ideas and support that I have made the transition.

Quick recap... on return from 2nd maternity leave was told to find another job in the company (had 9 months to look) but I quickly decided that it was a great opportunity (rather than a threat) to change direction... so after wondering what I could do (and asking mumsnetters).... I became a doula. Did some training, spoke to some doulas, got stuck in, did some volunteer work in the labour ward.... and in mid-Oct. I left my well-paid job and became a doula... it took 6 weeks to get my first phone call... and in January I had 2 clients... I have now loads of work (well I hope it continues that way). I have attended 2 paud birth (on call for 3rd) and have had 4 postnatal contracts. It has not been that hard (to launch myslef) for me but I enjoy being independent and love marketing my stuff.... Also I am getting some word of mnouth business too now so that's really encouraging too.

I wanted to THANK all of you for your words of support and to encourage others to jump and follow their heart.

P.S. Anyone who does not "know" me might think... well I can't do that because my husband does not have a steady income... MY DH is a SAHD ! so we went from good city salary (mine) to zero income.... I just thought life is too short, if all fails I'll work in a shop and just sort myself out... Now DH has started teaching yoga 1 day a week so he has a small income.

OP posts:
bossykate · 06/05/2003 22:07

well done, pupuce! sounds like things are going very well. good for you

jasper · 06/05/2003 23:06

pupuce you are inspirational.

Well done you for following your dream and not just thinking/talking about it.

SueW · 07/05/2003 00:17

pupuce - great to hear the update and delighted you are doing so well. It must be very rewarding.

I was talking to a local doula today (well, she has now finished as it is no longer compatible with her changed family circumstances). It is something I would love to do but I could not guarantee to be a labour partner without moving in with my mum - no childcare.

WideWebWitch · 07/05/2003 02:20

Pupuce, I'm so glad to hear it's going well for you, I remember the discussions about what you were going to call your business. Can I ask you a quick question on doulas? I'd love one but can't afford it - is it likely that someone who is training to be a doula and wanted to practice would be interested? If so, how do I go about finding such a person? Is there a doula training place I could approach? Or doesn't it work like that?! TIA.

suedonim · 07/05/2003 03:34

It's great to hear that your venture is going well, Pupuce! Do keep us updated, won't you?

winnie1 · 07/05/2003 08:29

Pupuce, fantastic! Well done you ... you are an inspiration. have been thinking for some time of setting myself up in business but never quite have the guts to do so. Glad it is working out for you.

Marina · 07/05/2003 09:29

Pupuce, you've been dipping in and out lately so it is so great to hear how well things are going for you. Like the others, I feel very happy that someone on here has made her dreams come true in such a worthwhile way (and I can't afford you either )

Original poster
pupuce · 07/05/2003 11:20

Thanks for your lovely words.... it's in great part due to your encouragement that I felt I could do it... and it is very fulfilling.... sometimes a bit frustrating but on a whole my quality of life is 1000% better. I see my kids, I am even growing some vegetables...

WWW- birth doulas cost between £250 and £500... you can get one for less.... a lot of us (including me) can work for free or for a reduced fee or we even accept monthly installments..
How much does a new set of tyres cost.... you would not hesitate to buy them if you needed to. Why is that we women (and I mean me too!) feel we can't spend £300 on getting a great birth experience.... I can also tell you that we (Doula UK) are currently looking at our stats... and 100% (I am not joking) of mothers who have used doulas (and who were surveyed of course) would use one again and would recommend it to a friend.

Anyone looking for a specific info on getting a doula in your area... feel free to e-mail me via my website - I know loads of doulas
www.nurturingbirth.co.uk (if I type my e-mail address it can be used for spam... hence I send you via my website!)

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tigermoth · 07/05/2003 11:39

what a nice success story. So glad your business is taking off, pupuce and you still have time to grow vegetables. What more could a woman want

WideWebWitch · 07/05/2003 12:50

Pupuce, thanks for the reply. When I say we can't afford it I'm not talking about it being a bit difficult, I'm talking about completely impossible atm, really, really out of our reach. I'd be embarrassed to go on any more here about quite how broke we are (OK, I will a bit - I can't afford maternity clothes and am managing with baggy stuff and normal bras that don't fit - that should give you an idea!) but I really hope that will change with our move and new jobs etc. i.e before this baby. Honestly, if/when I have the money I won't begrudge spending it on a doula, not at all. I am glad it's going well for you.

Original poster
pupuce · 07/05/2003 13:04

WWW - I wasn't saying that for you... it was more of a general statement... if you can't afford one you can try to get one for free.... if you tell me where you are I can see if I can help you.... trainee doulas do iften work for free (except expenses like petrol).

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SueW · 07/05/2003 13:34

It's a shame really though that anyone should need to pay for a doula (or independent midwife), especially in labour as the necessary support should be provided by a midwife on the NHS.

It would also be nice if postnatally support was provided without cost e.g. some form of home help if no nearby relatives/friends who can pop in for an hour.

HOwever, I suspect I risk going into the realms of the state vs private argument here......

I raise the point because I once mentioned doulas to a prominent midwife who is very much 'with woman' and got a slapped wrist for even suggesting that a woman should need extra support if she had a midwife attending her in labour.

layla · 07/05/2003 15:10

Pupuce,what a great sucess story,well done you you should be proud of yourself.How is DH?

Original poster
pupuce · 07/05/2003 16:24

Some MW are great supporters of doulas and others are not... there are many issues (as you know SueW) around this... IMO it's mainly down to MW not allowed to practise the way they want (i.e. continuity of care) and to MW not understanding why a woman might want a doula.
I have heard MW say to me : I really don't see why women need doulas.... My answer was... that's exactly the point... you have not asked her -why !
(Un)fortunately some labours are VERY long and MW do change shifts in 99.9% of cases.... as doulas we would not.,.. and some of saty with women - with no sleep - for 72 hours! My last 2 were just under 30 hours - we saw over 4 MW both times.

I don't see doulas taking over the role of MW but more a mother/best friend.... we are there to do "all" the things your mother would have done when you went into labour decades ago.... we were with women who knew what childbirth was like.

Rant over

DH - is quite pleased... impressed by the progress but he is also now realising that he will earn some money otherwise we'll be broke sooner rather than later !

OP posts:
Original poster
pupuce · 07/05/2003 16:25

Layla - just realised WHY you were asking the Q... sorry....

He is MUCH better, he had 3 days of poor mobility last week but otehrwise he is remarkebly well. He is completely (and I do mean 100%) off alcohol and sugar. He has never been this good in YEARS!

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layla · 07/05/2003 17:23

Pupuce,wow,WHAT a guy.He's a man with a mission,sounds like he's doing it his way and suceeding

bayleaf · 07/05/2003 21:16

So pleased to hear it's going well - you were so brave to 'jump' - it's great that for once such 'spirit' should be rewarded!

JJ · 07/05/2003 21:19

Pupuce, so good to hear it's all going well. You've got to learn to do hyperlinks, though :
Nuturing Birth Doula Services

sis · 07/05/2003 21:21

Pupuce, that is great - well done you! I love these threads in mumsnet where we see a person's whole life/outlook on life change over a period of a few months - with the star of the story coming out a stronger person at the end of it all.

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