Anyone that can offer any guidance for aspiring doula?

[GwendalynsMommy]

Since my daughter was born in October I've decided that my path in life is to assist people in birth and with breastfeeding. I think that my first step to reach my goal is to become a birth doula. I have looked into various options and am thinking about DONA certification. I have looked into a workshop that is available in November not far from where we are and also looked into reading several of the books on the required reading list. I had already read a few of them while pregnant. I'm not sure what else I should be doing though to prepare. Can anyone offer me any guidance? Is there another program for doulas that anyone might recommend other than DONA or is that the best? Any help would be much appreciated.

[teachinmaof3]

Reading as much as you can is a great place to start!

Some of the other organizations are:
CAPPA
CBI
ALACE

I'm trained with CAPPA. I've also heard really good things about CBI, but if you want to attend a training that won't be what you're looking for.

I didn't choose DONA because of some of the certification requirements. But then I decided against certification so it ended up not being an issue. lol

[courtenay_e]

A Vote for ALACE, here. Lots of info I think you don't get at a DONA training (from info my DONA trained partner has given me). NOT a slam on DONA, though. REally, it's kind of like choosing a college. YOu need to do research and then go with whom you feel a connection! Alace is where I felt that connection. They have an awesome workshop!

I agree, read, read, read. Too, you could start putting the word out that you'll need certifying births! Schedule the births if you possibly can for after the training. With ALACE you can do three of their six births before the training. I know that DONA only has three births, but their "guidelines" for what "counts" as a certifying birth are much more stringent (picky?) than ALACE. Don't know about CAPPA or CBI. If there's not a training for ALACE near you, if you set one up, you'll get your cert for free.

[courtenay_e]

Oh, and find out if there's a natural birthing community in your area, and get involved. It helps to have people to bounce things off of, to have homebirth midwives to refer people to if they're looking to change, to actually KNOW who the CBE people are in the area are, so that if a client is looking for a particular type of training you can just hand them a phone number. Too, I get REFERRALS from all of those places, because I do MY job well (if I do say so myself). Frankly, I'm doing five births in the next five weeks, and four of them stem from one professional referral. Yes, Stacia...if you're reading this...so much for my July Vacation, huh?

Too, there is really nothing like being in a room full of women who are passionate about what you are passionate about. It's nice to have somebody understand what it's like to CHOOSE an on call lifestyle with children. And to choose to have a job where you get called out of bed at 2am. And to choose to be welcomed into somebody's home/space to witness a miracle every time you're called to a birth. And who understand how interesting it is to examine placentas, to watch a mother's coping mechanisms, and to look into the eyes of a laboring woman and get what she's experiencing. There's nothing like having a supportive husband...but it's priceless to have a community of birth workers to support you, too.

[Stephanie L.]

Originally Posted by courtenay_e

I know that DONA only has three births, but their "guidelines" for what "counts" as a certifying birth are much more stringent (picky?) than ALACE.

DONA only counts births that happen after the workshop. I did the training and thought it was really good. It was fun. But I can't compare it to anything else, I've only done this one. I do feel that actually finishing with the certification is irrelevant for ME.

I have completed the requirements, just haven't sent them in. I realize that "going to the workshop and jumping off" gave me the confidence I needed to get out there. I have been going to births since, and don't feel like I need a certificate.

I may try to get my stuff in, if possible, since I went to the trouble... but either way, it's okay.


CONGRATULATIONS on this revelation!! It's so awesome to hear how positive you feel about helping mamas during this amazing, important, and difficult time. Mamas will be lucky to have you!!

[Rockies5]

woo hoo! I'll just echo what Courtney has said so well. I also went with ALACE after studying all the different organizations (I'm also an ALACE CCE).

Childcare is the biggest issue for me. Who can you trust? who can backup your trusted person and then who can back up them? How many hours can your child go without you? And will you work with a partner or not?

[wumanh]

Birth Arts International has distance programs. See www.birtharts.com

[DoomaYula]

Another ALACE doula here, and I love ALACE.

However, I think that DONA has the most name recognition among mainstream people. I have a friend who is DONA trained and gets most of her clients from their site; I've never gotten anyone from the ALACE site.

ITA with the "it's like choosing a college" idea. (Except less expensive. I went to the Univ of Michigan and it was like $20K/year! : )

[bobbyjk]

Can someone be certified through both DONA and ALACE? Would the programs complement each other or differ? Do most people not do this because of cost?

Sorry for so many questions, I mostly lurk but I had to jump out to ask this since I am considering becoming a doula as well. Thanks.