Let the Doula Training Begin!

Did you know...
"The evidence in favor of doulas comes from more than eleven carefully designed studies: Quite simply, hiring one cuts in half the odds of having an unnecessary cesarean. It also halves the odds of having a forceps or vacuum-extractor delivery. ..Having a doula also shortens labor by greatly reducing stress, pain & anxiety."
(Gaskin 2003.)

Or this...
Women who feel well cared for during labor report the highest satisfaction in their birth experience, even when their labors are long or complicated. (Simkin 2008.)


As I mentioned before in an earlier post, it's been a dream of mine (gaining momentum over the past 3 or 4 years) to become trained as a Birth Doula. Well, I've finally taken the plunge and begun taking steps toward certification!

Many ask, "What is a Doula"? A professional labor assistant, who provides emotional, physical and sometimes spiritual support to laboring mothers. (There are also postpartum doulas as well.) A Doula would be in addition to, not in replacement of, one's Doctor or Midwife as well as husband or other support person. (Often aiding in helping the husband to be fully present & helpful to his wife in labor.) Basically, my heart is to help women have a positive, beautiful, and safe birth experience.

What's required to become a Doula?
1) Attend a 16 hour approved Doula workshop

2) Read a minimum of 5 books from a required reading list in addition to the DONA (Doulas of North America) position paper

3) Either observe a 12 hour Childbirth Preparation class (the kind you take when you're a first time expectant parent) or complete training in Childbirth Education (I'd really enjoy this)

4) Complete one of several training options in breastfeeding education

5) Attend and provide support in at least 3 births with documentation and evaluations from attending doctors, nurses, and/or midwives.

6) Write an essay on the value and purpose of labor support


I'm hoping to attend a Doula workshop in August, and I've begun the required reading list. Honestly, the more I read, the more passionate I become, and the more I'm coming to believe that God really knew what he was doing when he created womens' bodies to give birth. I've also begun to really chew on what may have been a lot of gross misconceptions I (& many others) have had about what's really necessary for a happy, healthy birth. I'm learning that the typical "Medical Model" we often esteem so highly in the U.S. may not always be as conducive to safety and well being as many of us have been led to believe. Am I against meds & medical interventions? Nope. Just realizing that maybe it isn't always in the best interest of mother and baby to jump to some of these things as quickly as we sometimes do. More on this later. I'm still chewing.

Many have also asked me if & what I'd charge for Doula services. Most Doulas do charge a fee. (Except no one charges at first while they're gaining experience.) Maybe someday it would turn into a part time job for me, but honestly, I hate the idea of charging people. I just want to use my gifts and be an encouragement to women. My sister-in-law, Ginger, said it's probably a sign of a good fit if you really desire to do something without being paid for it. I think she may be right.

P.S. Carla, keep me on your list for that center that will open in Hudson one day...Doulas often donate their time to crisis pregnancy centers, to help young women in labor who have no one else to support them.