Where are all the doulas, midwives and those in training?

[TreeLove]

Here's to you ladies!

[lisamarie]

Hello~

I am so excited to see this forum up and running!

I have been a massage therapist for almost 10 yrs. now. When I was in massage school, a good friend became pregnant w/her 1st baby and asked me to provide labor massage for her. What a wonderful experience it was and I have been hooked ever since.

Since then, I have been providing labor support and massage to some of my clients, family and friends. I don't advertise, just word of mouth. I charge on a sliding fee scale~whatever they can afford and want to pay me. I have a very good friend (we met in a bf class 5 1/2 yrs. ago) due Feb. 9th and she has asked me to be her doula. I feel providing support~emotionally and physically during such a difficult, but joyful time in a womens life is so rewarding and I feel deeply touched and blessed to be present when a new soul enters the world. I try to educate the mom and dad, during the pregnancy (such as giving her copies of articles from Mothering ), but make it clear that it is HER birth.

Looking forward to meeting all of you and learning more!

Warmly~

Lisa

[jordmoder]

Hello all -

I'm a home-birth midwife licensed in Washington State - or I would be if I weren't home in Portland, OR with 2 year old DS and waiting on another due in April!

I really love my work, and although I am not currently practicing, also love to talk about all things relating to that awe-inspiring time of pregnancy and beyond.

Greetings to all you other midwives, doulas, want-to-be midwives and supportive folk!

Barbara

[Allana]

this is new!
I am very excited about this forum. I am a, hope to be soon, doula in training. I can't wait to hear from all the wonderful women in the childbirth field. I've been toying with the idea of maybe someday becoming a midwife. But that is a way down the road. Can't wait for more to come!!

BTW I will be doing my certification through ALACE hopefully soon.

[Hayes]

Doula in training here. Took the DONA class, just waiting for a few friends to go into labor! I have at least 2 births set up, and hope to have a couple more in the next 6 months or so. So far, I haven't charged anything. I really just want to be able to support my friends. I guess if someone asked me, someone I didn't know well, I would charge, but I do it for the thrill of birth, and to help women realize their own strength!

[madison]

doula in training

Count me in also as a doula in training.

I'm certifying through DONA, have completed the training and am trying to get to my three births and complete a childbirth class. So far my schedule has prevented me from even trying to arrange a birth, becuase I work 60-hours per week. I'm not quite sure how to do it, I'll probobly have to call in sick! I'll be taking the CB class in January, so after that I will get moving on it all and buckle down.

I really want to work as a post partum doula, but I want the DONA certification because it's the most recognized. I love newborns and new parents.

I also facilitate a parenting group for prospective lesbian & gay parents, and serve on a committee representing all of the area LGBT parenting groups, and advocate for our families.

[happyday8598]

HEY! When did this open!?!??!

This is GREAT!!!

I'm a Labor Assistant in training. I'm training through ALACE.

SOOOO EXCITED TO GET MYSELF OUT THERE!!!

Look forward to chatting with more of you!

Love,
Emily

[Angiemama]

i am a doula in training, certifing through dona... after that... midwifry school (for cpm licence)

[nj_hipmama]

I'm so happy to see this. I want to begin training to be a labor doula. Tell me pls. where is the best place to start. Right now I'm just trying to gather info before I start any classes. I'm a sahm w/ 3 children, so that limits my time somewhat. I know that CAPPA offers the labor doula training in a 'distance' program'. Would that be as good as actually attending the work shop? I know about DONA, but has anyone heard about NACA. I can' t find it on the web anywhere. Also does anyone know where I can get training/certification for LC. I have a million questions; like how do I get my letters of recomendations, how would I find mamas who are looking for doulas, do I charge, how much? I want to eventually become a CNM and figured this was the way to start. Also, are you all supported by your significant others. My dh just looks at me some times and shakes his head like he's not sure where I'm from, or how I came up w/ some of the ideas I have. I haven't even told him what I'm planning now. I just said that I was looking into taking some classes. Any suggestions on that front? I would really appreciate any help and all support. Sometimes I feel as if I'm the only one out here.

[SJane]

I'm also a doula in training. I signed up over a year ago, found out I was pregnant, continued to take the class but am now just really getting started as my son is 7 mo.s old. I took my training locally at the Holistic Midwifery Institute in Ann Arbor MI. It was wonderful! I have my first client due sometime this week and another due after x-mas sometime. I'm really glad to be working. These births are no charge, just building up experience. I'm really anxious to hear about how others got their practices going? How to advertise, what works? I'm also hoping that by moderating this board I will find lots of good advise Yes, by the way, I am your moderator if you need anything!! I hope we can all learn a lot from each other here!

[Angiemama]

my partner is extremely supportive of me... he's actually proud.. he's glad i'm so passionate about anything, and being obseessed about something so beautiful and natural makes him glad i'm his baby's mama... thats what he says ... and i'm glad he feels that way, because helping woman learn and empower them selves is so important to me... i'm thrilled!

[rubym]

hello
I am a doula in training. Recently completed a dona course at the seattle midwifery school and I am on my way to certification.
I am also an aspiring midwife, with plans to attend the seattle midwifery school in 2002 or 2003. Ahhh and I went to tennesse in november for The farm midwifery assisting workshop. that was wonderfull. I am planning to go back for the level 2 workshop.

So thats me, nice to see you all here

[Modesto Doula]

Hello all!!
I am also a doula (in training??? maybe) I dont consider myself to be a DIT, although at my experience level, I guess I am.
I think that the idea of being a DIT means that you are being trained by someone , which I am not. I would like to find a local doula to assist for a few births, but my babysitting situation hass only recently worked itself out and now shes not too busy.
I have watched at one birth, was with another doula for one, done one on my own and have one due in Jan. I also work shifts as a volunteer, but so far every night I go in the hosp is almost empty =(.
I have a two year old (in two weeks) and am due in May, so I think I may not even be accepting clients much after Feb for a long while.
Its nice to have a board here!!
Look forward to getting to know you all!!

[Shaz]

Hello!!!!!!!!

I completed my Doula training in May 2001 and am in the process of certifying through DONA. I've already attended 10 births and have one this month and two coming up in January!!

I am also one of the co-ordinators of a new Doula group in our area...Upper Grand Birth Services. We have 10 Doula's, so far, in our group and would love more!!!

My passion as a Doula is VBAC. I truly believe my births have lead me to this (unnecessary c/s and mismanaged VBAC). I am hoping to start a VBAC support group in my town as our c/s rate is very high:mad:

Looking forward to getting to know everyone!!

[lovinmama]

Hi everyone,

My name is Racheal, I am a doula and as of next week
will have finished the program at Birthwise Midwifery
School in Maine. I moved to Maine from N.C. to attend the
school and it has been great. Now to find someone to apprentice
with.... I have a new baby due in a month so I am going to have to put it on hold for awhile. I am really happy to see this forum
and cant wait to meet and talk to other doula/midwives.

Racheal

[EarthWind]

Hi everybody!!!

I'm Michelle and I'm taking Elizabeth Davis' Hearts and Hands Midwifery Intensive this winter! I'm so excited! I actually can hardly believe how interested I am in this stuff. I never would have expected it. I'm not really sure where this is going to take me - but the journey sure is a great ride! I may eventually become a midwife, or do childbirth education or be a doula. I'm not really sure. What I do know is that I love this stuff!!!!

Here's to all of you !!!

Michelle

[boobybooby]

Hi All,

I am a Doula currently fulfilling requrements with DONA. All I need are 3 births to finish. My first client ended up a planned section due to Herpes positive culture (don't ask!). so, I am really looking forward to my first real client due in March 2002! She is having a planned HB with my midwife who I know is wonderful to work with. I have not yet marketed myself to the public around here. I am planning to do that soon, as I am finding out that it is difficult to just stumble upon clients. I may also have a Doula who is willing to invite me to a birth in Feb (upon client approval and compatibility, of course) and allow me to give labor support for credit. I want mostly to give back something to any woman open to having a wonderful birth experience. I know I could have never had such amazing experiences without my Doula and I feel strongly that every woman deserves good, caring labor support.

[aiden&brennsmom]

Hi everyone,
I am so excited to have the board here. I already consider myself to be a doula but plan to do DONA through Seattle Midwifery this spring. I plan to become a Midwife sometime in the future... can't quite figure out how to manage that and raising children yet. Anyway its nice to see everyone here...
Tresa

[marymom]

I am in S Florida and hey RUBYM I took the doula course up in Seattle in...95 I think(sister lives up there on Orcas)...altho I was working as a volunteer doula in Austin TX years before that- but I havent done any births in a few years (except my own,lol)and Ruby- I also was at THE FARM this summer!! I was at the August session- which one did you attend? Which session will you be going back for? I was hoping to return in April for the labor assistant 2 class- I loved it there
Hope to be doing births soon here- have a 2 year old and 4 others in the house still and I happen to be single: so- I take everything one day at a time but- I definately hope to be a midwife- and have 2 homebirthing DEMs who will be using me for assistants soon hopefully email me if you want [e-mail]

[Kelly71]

Add me to the list

I begin my training with a doula weekend in March and have just begun reading the Hearts and Hands book. I'm lucky to be doing it with 2 girlfriends. We hope to someday open our own practice together.

Peace and happy holidays to all.