Considering Doula Certification w/ DONA??

[eastkygal]

There is a DONA certification workshop in August in my city. Since my traumatic birth with DD, I have wanted to help others with birthing and educating on natural birth options. I have considered being a doula for quite sometime. I have attended one birth already (2000) and will be attending another in September as the birth coach. This would be a great opportunity for me to get certifcation and training underway for a new career. I do have some obstacles that make me wonder if I should go forward with it.

1. I have no backup childcare on moment's notice. DH is an artist and works art fairs, so won't always be here to watch DD.
2. I haven't naturally given birth myself, though I have coached one.
3. I am an introverted person, but as a former teacher am very capable of getting jobs done. I suppose I don't have to be a talker and bubbly to be a doula... right?

So, with that in mind. Is it worthwhile for me to move forward with this? Opinions please.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

IME there is a certain amount of nurturing instinct necessary for being a doula. Not all women need it, but some do. The childcare issue could be a problem unless you partner with another doula who can be there if you can't. When you're a doula, you're on call for the women who hire you, and you need to be able to be there for them. As for not having given birth naturally, that would not really concern me.

[eastkygal]

Thanks for your response. I do feel I have a gift for caring and nuturing. It really showed through when I was a teacher, with my friends, and DD. That's one of the reasons that I felt like being a doula would be a good choice for me.

The childcare situation is what has concerned me the most. Of course, he isn't gone all the time. Not sure about this though.

[tlcdoula]

Childcare might be an issue for you right now, but it won't always be so. If you can work it out to get through those younger years and your partner is willing to work with you then I say go for it. It might not be easy right now, but if you try hard enough to figure it out you will be able to figure something out. A friend of mine contacted some homeschool families in her area and a family had a teen who could come at a moments notice during the day.

When I first started this journey my youngest was 2 yrs old and I had six other children - now the kiddos are 19, 17, 16, 13, 10, 8 and 6 yrs old and it is all so much easier. I am so glad that I started when I did even though I also had childcare concerns. Like I said, it was hard at first, but now it all works.

Good luck to you!!!

[gemasita]

1. I have no backup childcare on moment's notice. DH is an artist and works art fairs, so won't always be here to watch DD.
2. I haven't naturally given birth myself, though I have coached one.
3. I am an introverted person, but as a former teacher am very capable of getting jobs done. I suppose I don't have to be a talker and bubbly to be a doula... right?

1. Not sure the answer to that one since I don't have kids yet but I'm sure it will be an issue when I do. :
2. I haven't had kids yet and I am constantly busy so I guess people don't mind it too much (or if they do, they are hiring other doulas and I am STILL busy with my own clients!)
3. I am super-introverted but I do ok meeting with one couple at a time. I'm better "one-on-one" so to speak instead of talking to big groups. I love forming a relationship with a couple. I do try and be "bubbly" but I just make sure that I go home and decompress afterwards since it does take a lot of energy for me. I actually think that being introverted helps me listen better, instead of talk too much and to keep my mouth shut during births when I need to do that (like when the doc is talking to my clients and I don't necessary agree with him or her).

[ajmckay36]

Originally Posted by eastkygal

There is a DONA certification workshop in August in my city. Since my traumatic birth with DD, I have wanted to help others with birthing and educating on natural birth options. I have considered being a doula for quite sometime. I have attended one birth already (2000) and will be attending another in September as the birth coach. This would be a great opportunity for me to get certifcation and training underway for a new career. I do have some obstacles that make me wonder if I should go forward with it.

1. I have no backup childcare on moment's notice. DH is an artist and works art fairs, so won't always be here to watch DD.
2. I haven't naturally given birth myself, though I have coached one.
3. I am an introverted person, but as a former teacher am very capable of getting jobs done. I suppose I don't have to be a talker and bubbly to be a doula... right?

So, with that in mind. Is it worthwhile for me to move forward with this? Opinions please.

I'm in Kentucky too.

I absolutely think you should move forward with this if it's what your heart desires...as for not having a natural birth...it really doesn't matter. IMO one of the best doulas in our town is childless! Now it may matter to some who want a doula who has done natural childbirth personally, but to others, they won't care. They will want someone who is capable and educated.

Childcare--do you know any other doulas? When I was doing doula work (I'm on maternity leave right now) my best friend and I traded childcare a lot...when she had a birth I had her kids and vice versa. It worked out really well for us. GL!

[ajmckay36]

I also wanted to add about last minute childcare--I can only think of one time where I had to run out the door right after my client called. I ask clients to call as soon as they think they're in labor so I can start getting my affairs in order...we may have a few phone conversations before they're ready for me to come. Some doulas also have a clause in their contracts that say "it may take up to 2 hours for me to get to you" or something to that effect.