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.
Let's get moving!
beautiful thing about moving around is that you can try a position for a few contractions and change it up if it doesn’t work.
While every birthing person may labor differently, there is one thing every laboring person can do that can benefit their labor…
move!
There are so many laboring positions that can be utilized when in labor, from
standing to sitting,
lying down;
walking or dancing...
down the hospital hallway, or in your room.
Some positions may feel more comfortable than others, but the beautiful thing about moving around is that you can try a position for a few contractions and change it up if it doesn’t work.
Changing positions in labor can increase comfort and make the labor sensations more manageable. Positions, like squatting or sitting on a yoga ball or on the toilet seat, allow the pelvis to be open and relaxed which helps the baby descend into the birth canal. If you are bed-bound or have an epidural placed, you can still apply some position changes like lying on your side and placing pillows or a peanut ball between the legs and alternating sides every thirty minutes or so to create the same effect. Other tools that can be used to help change positions is a yoga ball, which you can sit on and bounce on it, sway your hips side to side or in a circular motion.
Having a doula at your birth can encourage you to try different positions!
We are ready to dance, squat and move with you, are you?
Oregon Weather & Childbirth
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 snow storm, 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?
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.