Is it worth it to become a doula?

[laralee16]

I have been thinking for the past year, well longer then that but reallty thinking hard abotu it for the past year, about becoming a midwife. But I am thinking I should train and work as a doula for a few years before I do anything eles. I found a website called www.childbirthinternational.com that does a long distance course. My only thing is is almost 500 bucks. We are not poor, but I dont have that much laying around, ykwim? I dont want to take this course and never be able to make my money back. I dont want to be a doula or midwife for the money, but I also dont want to train and never use the training. Would I be able to find "work" as a doula?

[Rockies5]

Originally Posted by laralee16

Would I be able to find "work" as a doula?

oh my gosh yes! YOu don't have babies at hoe and you are generally in charge of your own hours?! I can't wait to be in that position!

[ScootchsMom]

Hi! I think becoming a doulas first is a good idea. You have a couple of options for distance education as a doula. CBI offers a payment plan, have you looked into that? Also, www.cappa.net offers a distance course and is a bit cheaper I believe than CBI. Hope that helps!

Liz

[tlcdoula]

I think it is important to remember that this would be a new business and with any new business you do have to put some effort into finding clients and getting your name out there. I used to be a doula trainer and I saw women who took the training and then left thinking they would be flooded with clients with little or not effort. It is very important to remember that depending on your area it can be slow going getting your name out there and finding clients. I used to tell people that you have to give it two years to see if your business is going to make it or not.

I also think it is important to think about the logistics of the whole thing. I have met doulas who have said "well I can make x amount of money so I will just take on two or three clients a week and I will be making lots of money." The problem with that is that birth is unpredictable and so you need to remember that your client numbers are limited based upon how many women you can attend to and whether you have a back up, etc.

When I first started my husband was one of those people - he said "well you can make $400 a birth so if you take three a week you will have great income" but what he failed to realize is that this isn't realistic.

Good luck - you can make the money back but you do have to put the effort into it. It just will not come flying your way without work.

[yonit]

I am a trainer with Childbirth International and would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Other people have answered if it is worth it, so I won't go there..

But I will tell you that CBI does also have a payment plan option so you don't need to pay it all at once.

For many women, becoming a doula is a great first step into midwifery.

ETA: I just noticed that you were in MD. So not only am I trainer, I would in fact be your trainer.