I didn't see a tribe for doula mamas as I was searching, but if I missed it, hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes! I'd love to get to know other mamas who have been through it as well as helped others through it!
Hey Melanie! I am certifying through Birth Arts as both a doula and childbirth educator. I love the assignments, work and reading lists. Good luck!
I'd had four children before I took my doula training. One way I know it affects the way I practice is that I think about how I remember my births and how I want my clients to feel like they were treated.
You may want to consider certifying through an organization that is a better fit with your personal philosophy. Have you looked into Birth Arts or BirthWorks?I love working with essential oils and bringing my clients an herbal bath afterwards and I am pretty sure that would all be out of my scope of practice as a DONA doula. Thoughts?
I just looked into Birth Arts.... so cool!! If only I had the money to do ANOTHER doula certification, haha! All the doulas in my area either are certified through DONA or choose not to get certified. I have not encountered anyone certified through a different organization, so I guess I didn't even realize there were so many options out there! So far I have not had one client or potential client even ask me if I was certified or not. I say that I am DONA trained sometimes, but that isn't even typically asked.You may want to consider certifying through an organization that is a better fit with your personal philosophy. Have you looked into Birth Arts or BirthWorks?
I'm like you. There are sooo many things I want to do. Starting with becoming a certified doula. My daughter is still young and we plan to have more children, so I'm taking it slow. It's my 10 year plan, really. I'm working on finding a stable, yet flexible day job so I can fund all these things I want to do. After doula, I'd like to get certified to teach childbirth classes, then down the line probably lactation consultant. As much as I love the birth process, I haven't yet had the desire to be a midwife. Maybe a midwife's assistant one day. I think that level of responsibility is a little to much for me, personally.Originally Posted by lindsayjean
I just looked into Birth Arts.... so cool!! If only I had the money to do ANOTHER doula certification, haha! All the doulas in my area either are certified through DONA or choose not to get certified. I have not encountered anyone certified through a different organization, so I guess I didn't even realize there were so many options out there! So far I have not had one client or potential client even ask me if I was certified or not. I say that I am DONA trained sometimes, but that isn't even typically asked.
I just recently attended a homebirth and the midwife didn't have an assistant and taught me how to make her postpartum herbal ice packs and do some other assistanty things... and pretty sure she kinda made me want to be a CPM!! NO time for it right now, but maybe someday?? I think I'll work as a doula for a few years, since I'm new to it all right now, and my kids are so young
Originally Posted by rebirth
So, how is everyone doing? whats on all of your calendars for the next few moths?
I'm still working on building up my volume and hope to get an average of 2 clients per month by the end of the year, for births, and 6-10 postpartum per year. I'd like ot teach CBE (privately) a little more often then I do, but I barely advertise it, so that is no real suprise.
I have clients due each moth for the next 4 months, then a break (family vacation!!!) then an august client and that is it. I've had 2 interviews this week for fall clients, and would love to get my fall schedule going now too!!! I've got 2 postpartum clients on my schedule too, so that is good
I hope my buisness grows as well as yours!!!Originally Posted by phathui5
"So, how is everyone doing? whats on all of your calendars for the next few moths?" """
The next couple of weeks on my calendar look a little crazy.
I'm staffing a table at a children's consignment sale with our doula group this weekend, March 18-20.
March 21- Taking a client to childbirth class at hospital
March 23- Interviewing possible babysitter
March 24- Doula Connection meeting
March 29- Leaving for Midwifery Today conference
April 4- Arriving back home
April 7- Speaking at childbirth class
April 10- Natural Health Expo
April 13- Meeting with L&D head nurse at local hospital
April 14- Doula Connection Parent Night
April 11- Prenatal meeting w/client
April 18- Prenatal meeting w/client
RIght now, I have one client due in March, one around the end of April, one in early May, one in June and one in October (already hired me!).