hmmm...
I might just have to offer another pov to scottishmum re. the doula route,
I totally agree about the accessability of parents to doulas, that sucks, same as things like accupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractics etc are not available unless you can pay, that sucks too.
but.. for someone like me, a working class family, through and through, sahm and registered nurse. A doula is something I would certainly spend mony on, more so than a holiday, new furniture etc.
Also agree that a doula is not a part of a professional body, as such., unlike nursing, but I do beleive that we are moving far more toward natural birthing, dispite the fact tha midwifery training is very academic and midwifery units tend to be very medicalised.
A doula can be trained in many things that will enhance the care they can give, such as homeopathy, hypnotherapy, reflexology, aromatherapy etc etc, or even something like cranio-sacral therapy, study time permitting. all of these require training and have a regulatory body.
so I disagree about doula's career progression being non-existant.
Obvously a midwife can too but realisticly are'nt going to be able to use them if working on the nhs.
So I think there is lots of room for professional development as a doula, and in fact, in terms of promotion, you are your own boss which ime beats working for an nhs manager if you get it right and can earn enough money.
With the state of the nhs, there is a lot difficulty getting traing once qualified, and job cuts are going o everywhere meaning poor staffing levels and resources being cut everywhere.
There is no denying it, being an nhs nurse/midwife is bloody hard work and the pay is miserable. BUT if it your thing, (and you aren't financially too screwed) then you will still enjoy your work, dispite the poor conditions and pay and dispite the fact you are likely to be perminantly knackered!
I wonder if lulu would reccomend her job to you?
(I think I might have just persuaded myself it is a go-er!!)
Is it something you would still consider filly?