Doulas- any experiences with them?

[Skylark]

We've had several family friends who were Doulas. Great, great people. But be carfull, it usually starts part time but rarely stays that way! I speak as the 'official doula/midwife babysitter' for lots of 'em. Rarely went more than a month without a gaggle of kids dropped off at my house at midnight!

Do you at least get paid for this babysitting?

[canadianvirgo]

I know you'll make an excellent doula. You can deliver my baby if/when I have one. And how convenient...you'll only have to walk down the hall!! XOXO

[synergy]

Thank you everyone!!! I am going to look in to some distance Midwifery courses... Midwifery is becoming far more popular these days, and it's in growing demand. Especially now that in Alberta, the government covers having a midwife attend a birth rather than a doctor. They finally realized it's more cost effective!!!!

[Kenickie]

I am taking a DONA approved course. To get actual DONA certification, I'll have to attend 3 births, have the mothers evaluate me and do a write up of some kind. I do plan to get certified

yes, that's what i had to do. oh you aren't in USA

to get my required births i went thru a program serving impoverished minority women in University hospital. you should check out if you have such things

[turtlegirl]

I had a doula for my second birth and it was such a fantastic experience! Her presence allowed my husband to just focus on me, and I felt so much more comfortable knowing that I had one more person present who knew my birth plan and would advocate for me. Plus, she took some amazing pictures. I wouldn't birth in a hospital without one, that's for sure. Good luck on your certification!

[synergy]

Thanks Turtlegirl... I'm glad you had such a positive experience. The class is on Friday, and I'm getting excited!!!

[synergy]

Just wanted to update you all.
2 days into the course and I love it.

I am so inspired and I know this is the field I want to work in.

I've been looking for my nice within the holistic health care field and I am so excited to have found it.

It's amazing to learn the benefits of having a Doula; Fewer ceseareans, episiotomies, interventions in general, more positive birth experiences, lower rates of post partum depression (all in very statistically significant ways, over 15 large controlled, blind, peer reviewed studies around the world).

It's also very exciting to be getting into the field while this is just taking off. It's a fairly new profession, with tons of room for growth.
So, so very happy to have found this!!!