[Scribe]

I know there are several of you out there who are doulas. I am tossing around the idea in my head, and wondered how you got into it, what training you did, etc. I guess my biggest reservation ATM is that maybe nobody would want a doula who didn't have children herself. Has anybody here seen that happen?

This is just in the thought-processing stage right now, but any stories or advice or info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mendomidwife]

Hi....
I am a midwife and I also have mentored and trained quite a few Doula's.
I am a strong advocate of women helping women through the birthing process and beyond.
I believe that all of us have something different to offer one another. It doesn't matter if you have children or not. In fact, it is often women without children who have the time and energy to really "be there" and offer support.
Your gift may be different, but that does not mean you cannot learn and help.
If and when you do become a mother you will acquire even more skills to pass on.
Carla

 

[flyjawn]

i decided to become a doula because after i was done having my kids, i didn't want to leave the birthing community. and i wanted to help other women have positive birth experiences.

my gut reaction is that i wouldn't want a doula who didn't have children herself but then when i thought about it, one of my midwives didn't have children and she was wonderful.

i've taken the CBI course and will be taking a dona training workshop as soon as my babe is a bit older and more settled.

 

[yonit]

Hi,

I am a trainer for CBI, and I would say about 1/3 of my students have never had children and so far have not found it a hindrance. There are benefits to not having had children before being a doula. As mendomidwife says, generally people without children are more flexible as they don't ahve to worry about childcare. But on a deeper level, they don't always carry as much "baggage" with them as women who have already had children might. They have no expectation of what birth is really, so they can just go in and support the mother wholeheartedly without having to deal with their own issues.

Of course, some people may choose to not hire you since you have not given birth, but there isn't a doula out there that was not hired for one reason or another. For example, some people might not hire a doula if she had c-sections, or wasn't of a specific religion, or had an epidural, or who knows what... There are a whole host of reasons why someone won't hire you. If you are empathetic and supportive and have good skills than you will click with the people who will hire you.

 

[Stephanie L.]

Sympathizing & comiserating are an aspect of supporting a mama in labor, but certainly not all there is to it. I relate too much sometimes, I think, assuming that the laboring mama has the same situations I had, feels pain in the same degree, etc. Labor & birth are unique; having gone through it (or not) doesn't necessarily make you a better supporter.

I had a doula who'd never birthed for my 2nd pregnancy. She was a beautiful sponge!

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