Becoming a Doula

Are you ready to start your career as a doula, but don't know where to start?
I'd love to support you on your path to becoming a professional doula! 

If you do a simple google search or ask in a doula forum, for doula trainings, you will come across a myriad of training organizations. Each holding different philosophies, certification processes, and fees.

Things to consider when looking for a training organization

Standardized Training:

Despite there being some highly recognized trainings, there are only a few that offer standardized training; meaning that all the trainers have gone through the same process to train other doulas ensuring that all the doulas trained through that organization have received the same materials and information. 

Training supports all types of births and parenting styles

Certain training organizations only speak and train in supporting the "natural" "unmedicated" "sacred" ways of birth and brush over other realistic births, such as providing support when the birthing person chooses an epidural or requires a cesarean. Likewise in a postpartum training, it may only be geared to supporting the "attachment parenting" style and only cover breastfeeding, and or "traditional parenting" styles. Your training should equip you to provide support to every family's unique dynamics and needs. 

Training covers infant feeding methods

Just like birth may look differently, so can a way a baby eats. While some families may begin breastfeeding, others may have opted to formula feed their baby since birth. It's important to know how to support families in their infant feeding choices, without bias. 

Business support

After your doula training, you should have an understanding of how to get started as a professional doula. The doula training should cover even briefly marketing, contracts, what to do in certain scenarios and how to go out and begin your doula journey. 

Certification Process

Are you required to read 3-5 books or more? Write papers on certain topics? Shadow other births? How many births are required to attend and do only certain births count? Is there a requirement as to by when you should arrive? What about reviews from clients? Do you need them from nurses and providers too? Most training organizations require three births for certification, and some have limits such as arriving at a certain dilation, or only counting vaginal deliveries and one cesarean even if the clients you're supporting have a cesarean. Some organizations require reviews from clients, nurses, and providers, although it is the client who you are providing services for. 

Fees

Attending a training is going to cost you anywhere from $400-$900, this includes books you may need for the training. On top of this some training organizations have a fee for purchasing the certification packet and a fee for processing it as well. There is a also a membership cost for some organizations. This is an investment in your doula career, but make sure your fees get you something in return such as: 

Office Support

Find a training that has office support. Seriously. You never know when you're going to need a little pep talk, or need clarification or have a situation come up that you need additional support in. Your training organization should be available, supportive, and value you as a member of their organization, especially if you are paying a membership fee and are working towards certification or are already certified. 

After your training, you should feel confident and ready to start your business and provide services to families. 

Who I recommend: 

Just like when a  birthing person asks  me for recommendations when it comes to providers, birthing facilities, comfort measures, etc. as their doula, I don't tell my clients who to go to or what to do, but present them with all their options and let them be the deciding factor in their journey. Similarly, as a professional doula, when aspiring doulas contact me, I present them with questions for them to think about and make that decision on who they want to train with. The only recommendation I make is that it's an in-person training, as I strongly believe there is a lot of value in learning the comfort measures hands-on. It makes a difference and you'll be more confident in applying them in the birth setting or in the family's home. 

Call or email me, I am always happy to chat and help you weigh out your options. Like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on our events as we host a "Let's Talk Doulas!" talk every few months to discuss these points.  

Oregon Weather & Childbirth

There are many jokes about the amazing Oregon weather.

“Oregon: where you get all four seasons in one day”

“You know you’re from Oregon when you don’t use an umbrella when it’s pouring rain”.

All though funny, it is absolutely true.

Just a few weeks ago, we had sunny days and it felt like spring was only coming faster, and then we get hit with a snowstorm, only to get sunny blue skies the next day!

So how is Oregon weather and childbirth the same and how can a doula support you through the seasons?

Well, if we substitute seasons for feelings, we are bound to get all the feelings in labor, and just like our weather doesn’t seem to come in a particular order, neither do these feelings.

Summer – The sun is shining, everyone is happy, and you’re looking forward to the many outdoor activities that our beautiful southern Oregon offers. You may want to go to Lake of the Woods, or Umpqua Falls, or go raft down the Rogue River. Your car may be loaded with bags with essential items for that awesome trip you’ve planned all year long. 

Early labor – You have lost your mucus plug, or perhaps your water broke. It could be that contractions have begun.  You’re excited and looking forward to all the adventures that are yet to come. You may decide to take a shower or a bath to refresh and relax, or you may start packing up your car with the bags you plan to bring with you to the hospital or birth center. Your long awaited birthing trip has begun and an overwhelming feeling of happiness begins to shine ever-so-brightly, like the sun on a hot summer day. Call your doula so she gets ready for the ride with you. 

Spring – What’s the forecast going to be like? Warm? Cold? Will it be sunny or rainy? Should you layer up?

Labor – You'll find that your body temperature fluctuates in labor. You may feel hot and sweating one moment and the next you're asking for a warm blanket. Your comfort is one of our priorities! We'll be ready to fan the air, apply cold washcloths, and give your ice-cold water to sip on or get blankets to keep you warm. 

Fall – The temperature is cooling down and the leaves are transitioning colors. This season often feels like a mix of summer and winter. You may be excited, because... Hello! Boots, leggings and pumpkin-spice-everything! Or you may feel gloomy as the days become a little darker.

Labor – There comes a point in your labor when you will also be transitioning as those leaves. This part of labor is often the shortest, yet hardest part to endure. Your doula can offer you information about what to expect, continue to offer you comfort and support, and ensure you’re well hydrated… most likely not with pumpkin-spice lattes though.

Winter – The days are gloomy and cold. You rather not be out and about. You prefer to stay warm in bed. You may actually enjoy winter because you can go skiing or snowboarding at Mt. Ashland. You are cautious as you walk on the icy pavement, holding on to cars or siding for support. You know that enduring this type of weather means you’re getting closer to those sunny days again.

Labor – As you’ve reached the transition phase, you may experience feelings of defeat. You are "done", and don’t want to continue laboring, but you know that this temporary feeling will get you closer to meeting your baby. Your doula will support you through this phase by encouraging you, reminding you that the end is almost near, and taking one contraction at a time. Provide you with physical support like massage and counter-pressure on your hips or sacrum as wanted.

Oregon weather – All four seasons in a day, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We don’t mind having to layer up, walk in the rain, or drive in the snow, because, at the end of the day, we live in a beautiful place surrounded by tall trees, hills and mountains.

Labor – Just like the Oregon weather, going through the stages of labor has a beautiful advantage. A new journey begins with your baby to enjoy all the adventures that our state has to offer.

And as your doula… we will walk by you through the seasons enhancing your pregnancy and labor experience by providing you with compassionate and non-judgmental support.

 

If I were April, the giraffe's, Doula...

You have probably come across the live-feed of April, the giraffe from Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, NY. There has been over 600K views on this video, some viewers watching for hours at a time, and others a few minutes or just scrolling right by it.

There's been some talk about April in some doula community boards about what and how this giraffe should be supported. You may even be able to spot some doulas by their comments on the video's posts'. Well, here is a glimpse of how I would support April, if I was here doula: 

I would have already known her birthing preferences through our prenatal visits.

I would know if she wanted physical support, like counter pressure or massage with the understanding that this preference may change throughout her labor.

I would know whether she wanted her family, friends, and strangers present during the entire time, just labor, or just the birth and what her vision of their role would be (yes, all 600K+ viewers).

I’d encourage her to rest.

We’d dim the lights and play some relaxing music, if that’s what she preferred.

I would make sure she had plenty of fluids to keep her hydrated.

I’d walk around with her in her stall as many times as she wanted.  

I’d ask her how she felt with everyone present at her birth, and if she needed some alone time.

I would encourage her to rest, yet again, if she’s able to.

We’d play a game of checkers, or tic-tac-toe to distract from early labor.

Or we’d watch a funny movie, like Bad Moms.

I would be a sounding board for her to express her thoughts, feelings, and concerns as she’s waiting for the birth of her calf.

We’d go over birth affirmations, if that helped her.

If I were April’s doula, I’d support her through her labor just the way she needed me to.  

Why? Because at Rogue Valley Doulas we offer this type of quality support.  

If this is the kind of support you're wanting for your upcoming or next birth, contact us! We'd love to chat with you.