[maddymatthews]

I just wanted to get some feedback about whether its okay to use a doula-in-training. I live in NYC and would like to have a doula but its cost prohibitive for us. Someone suggested that doulas in training (for DONA and other organizations) have to attend a certain amount of births to become certified. Would you do this? Trust the person? Have any concerns about it?

I obviously know that I would need to click with or connect with the potential doula but i'm curious as to whether anyone would have any reservations regarding this kind of scenario.

maddy
edd 8/15

 

[onlyboys]

Check her out. She may be really experienced with birthing mamas, but didn't decide to do her certification until *after* she had been bitten by the bug, you know? I'm technically a "doula-in-training" but I'm not green at it by any means. Even if you have 600 births under your belt, it doesn't matter for DONA until you purchase the doula packet; you still have to do 3 births after that.

 

[Jilian]

It doesn't hurt to "interview" a doula in training. I'm technically still a doula in training myself because I still have another birth to attend before becoming "certified". Becoming certified (IMO) is just a technicality. You either have the calling to become a doula or you don't. You'll be able to tell within 5-10 mins if the doula in training is someone you'd want to have at your birth.

 

[amydidit]

I wouldn't have a problem with it at all... in fact if I were having a doula I would only chose a doula-in-training... everyone has to start somewhere and I'd like to support that training (while saving a few $$$)

 

[ozzyemm]

I agree with PPs. Try a doula-in-training! They need to start somewhere! i would interview several. I probably would ALWAYS go with a DIT to save money.

(I am a "doula-in-training, though I am not planning to get certified anytime soon).

 

[Noelia430]

Give it a try! She has to start somewhere.
You may really click and have an awesome birth experience with her. Just because she isn't certified doesn't mean she doesn't know what she's doing.
A lot of things really come naturally to me when I am with a mom in labor.
I get most of my referrals from my very first doula client.

 

[maddymatthews]

Thanks y'all. I've decided to meet her and see how we click. Thanks for your encouragement. I feel much better about it.

 

[lorijds]

I am now a nurse at a birth center, and I have provided back up for a couple doulas in training. Meaning, they contacted me with questions or concerns that went out of their realm of experience, and if they felt they needed a more experienced doula at their birth, I would come to back them up. I never became primary; I was just there to support the doula, so to speak.

Many of the beginning doulas in our area have some sort of mentor that they call upon.

We were all once a doula in training! I am thankful those first few mamas were willing to take a chance with me.

Lori

 

[ldsapmom]

Chiming in to agree

. I took the training last September and got my DONA certification in February. Yes, I was a doula-in-training according to DONA's requirements, but I had almost a dozen births to my name at that point -- I had just decided to get the certification. I did my certifying births for free, and you can't beat that

.

 

[Raven]

Im a DIT too and I haven't charged for the births I attend while still in training either.

 

[ZeldasMom]

I had a doula who was very experienced because I thought that must be an essential part of being a good doula. Turns out she was more interested in learning to be a midwife, which to me made her not as good as a doula. I think chemistry is the most important thing.

To me the ideal doula is someone who listens, someone who has a very quiet, calm, emotionally anchoring presence. I read somewhere about a doula who would just sit and knit early on when more hands on/close support wasn't needed. I would love that.

The doula I chose was too into reciting facts about medical procedures, trying to sway me to choose this or that. Not what I was looking for. For me the emotional aspect was what I wanted.