wanting to be a doula

[misgvs88]

Hello everyone!!
Im so happy to see this board here. I am interestd in becoming a Doula and have so may questions. Like how do you find your moms? How do you advertise for them?

I have seen alot of messages on here about THE FARM, what is this and how do I get more info about it?

I am in Oregon and considering doing the Dona program, anyone else in OR wanting to do the same?

I was hoping to read some posts from Doulas that are already certified and working, talking about all aspects of their job.

[Angiemama]

most of your quesetions can be answered at http://www.dona.org I'm getting my clients from my doula, who also teaches bradly class i have to attend for my certification. You can proabbly find a mentor doula who will refer clients to you

[Grass Pants]

I always love finding other doulas, especially in Oregon! I took my training from the Seattle Midwifery School, and would highly recommend it! Penny Simpkin was one of the instructors, and all of the instructors were exceptional. I am just getting my practice going, and am mainly focusing on getting the word out. I leave cards and brochures on all relevent bulletin boards at health food stores, health care providers, baby consignment shops. One thing I have found helpful is to sign up for the hospital preadmission classes and tour, and make sure everyone knows you are there as a doula. It helps you become familiar with the hospital and their procedures, and the nurses and doctors come to see you as a familiar face and are generally willing to give your cards to people who ask. Having a little one and being pregnant, I seem to be surrounded by women of child-bearing age, and I just let people know that birth is what I love and that I am a doula. Hopefully the word will spread!

I am also in the process of getting my certification from Dona.

Best of luck to you!

Jennifer

[hipmum]

reply about The Farm

Hi there!
Cool to hear you are looking to become a doula! I would like to be one too, perhaps a midwife.
About the Farm...
It is a private community in Summertown, Tennessee. It was started in the late 60's by a caravan of hippie-folk--commune-style. Basically, they bought some land in TN, caravaned there, and along the way some women had their babies. Ina Mae Gaskin, the leader's wife, began attending the births (they had no one else to, these were all home births, or "bus births", if you will) and with the help of a doctor friend, she learned all about midwifing, got real good at it, and before long, they started a clinic in their community. It is very well known; Ina Mae and the other midwives are still doing their thing there. I HIGHLY recommend reading her book Spiritual Midwifery , it tells all about The Farm and what they do there.

Good luck!