Becoming a Doula

['Rene'sMumma']

(Thought I'd post this in both sections)

Hi Ladies,

I am seeking some advise on becoming a doula :smiliedance: I am currently trying to decide wether to go with Optimum Birth or Childbirth International.

I was wondering if those of you who have studied these courses could share your experiences with me.

- What was the best things about the course and what could have been better?
- If you have done both course, which was better in your opinion?
- How long did it take you and how difficult did you find it with your bubs?

Furthermore to these questions I was also wondering...

- When you have been called to a birth what stategies do you have in place for the care of your children?

- What is involved leading up to the birth?

- Did you do the childbirth educator course as well and if so, what kind of work do you get in this capacity?

and finally
- Do you get any credit for this course if you do a Bachwlor of midwifery in the future?

Um, I think that is all I have for now :o
Thank you so much for any help you can offer :wave:
__________________

['Rene'sMumma']

Hi Ladies,

Pls is there anyone who could help (nag nag nag :o)

[QTB]

Sorry iv only just seen this thread! I went through Optimum Birth!

- What was the best things about the course and what could have been better? It was a fantastic course! I couldnt find anything wrong with it, or anything missing, it covers everything!

- If you have done both course, which was better in your opinion? Sorry i cant answer as iv only gone through OB...

- How long did it take you and how difficult did you find it with your bubs? I studied it at my own pace, a few hours here and there, i think it was about 4 months... im just waiting on my last lady to pop and ill be certified :) and it was easy around bubs, cos i did it while he was asleep!

Furthermore to these questions I was also wondering...

- When you have been called to a birth what stategies do you have in place for the care of your children? My ex or my ex-sis in law... my ex-sis in law is leaving her job - today is her last day, so she will be my full time nanny...!

- What is involved leading up to the birth? Getting to know the woman and her partner, explaining to them about birth, labour postnatal... my main thing is getting them comfortable with me, and getting to know what they want from the birth :)


- Did you do the childbirth educator course as well and if so, what kind of work do you get in this capacity? Cant answer this one either as i havent done it yet...

and finally
- Do you get any credit for this course if you do a Bachwlor of midwifery in the future? no you dont... BUT it does help you get into the course :)

Hope that helps a bit :) feel free to PM me or ask here if you have more questions!

[QTB]

also i will PM you my website address if you like :)

[~Emmylou~]

Sorry! I saw your post yesterday but didn't have time to reply properly...I'll have a go now ;)

I'm studying with Childbirth International :)


- What was the best things about the course and what could have been better?

Best things: Extremely well organised and professionally run course, easy to access online, assistance from email tutors is very prompt and thorough, and friendly. Very comprehensive course content. I looked into the OB course and it's a good course too, but it doesn't cover as much ground. The CBI course takes nearly double the time to complete from memory.

Could be better? I really haven't found anything I don't like about this course. I work in education and am a bit dubious about online delivery of courses as some can be extreeeemly dodgy (sporadic/non existent support etc). I looked long and hard into everything out there and really grilled them before I enrolled and I'm very happy :)

- If you have done both course, which was better in your opinion?

Only done one so can't comment.

- How long did it take you and how difficult did you find it with your bubs?

I enrolled in February I think and I'm still going, I've had some pretty significant interruptions - major sleep issues with DS turned me into a walking zombie for a few months and I didn't do any work then. Also we've moved recently. So I'm going slowly but I'm going to really dig in now and get it finished soon. It's harder with the kids but not impossible. I work when they're in bed or sometimes DH watches them for a couple of hours so I can study. You have three years to finish the CBI course, not sure if there's a time limit on the OB course.

Furthermore to these questions I was also wondering...

- When you have been called to a birth what stategies do you have in place for the care of your children?

DH has flexible work hours and can work from home if necessary. I will also be teaming up with another doula with kids so we can be childcare back up for eachother. I'm yet to arrange this though.

- What is involved leading up to the birth?

Every doula is different here but for me there will be a few pre birth sessions of an hour or two each, and a post birth session for mum to debrief and I'm also looking at offering some informal breastfeeding and settling support in the initial six weeks. I would be on call 24/7 two weeks either side of mum's EDD. You should have a look at what other doulas are offering and then decide what you'd like to do, there's alot of flexibility there.

- Did you do the childbirth educator course as well and if so, what kind of work do you get in this capacity?

I haven't done that course but I believe it's good. You can then do private childbirth classes with couples who don't want to do them at the hospital. CBI is supposed to be starting a breastfeeding support course so I'm hanging out for that one as a supplementary qualification.

and finally
- Do you get any credit for this course if you do a Bachwlor of midwifery in the future?

Not sure. I actually work in Admissions for a university and doula courses are very new, I haven't seen anyone try to get credit for one yet. My feeling at this stage though is that they wouldn't give credit because doula courses are not yet recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). At this stage they are a "certification" rather than a "qualification" if that makes sense. AQF status will happen eventually but until it does I don't think there'll be any substantial credit awarded towards midwifery degrees.

HTH, and good luck with your decision...you'll love it! :D

[fai firinne]

I really benefited from both courses. CBI has great info on Rotational Positioning - the theory that some right lying babies like to rotate clockwise to LOA to be born. And other excellent tools. Optimum Birth - Dr. Chris Vose is such an energetic, knowledgeable and fun person. After my first exams she gave me personalized feedback and told me I should be aiming for a PhD! I also found attending the Doula conferences to be a great educational boost - I gained so much. I was lucky because I got to attend my first conference free because Chris invited me to be one of the speakers. This year's conference is in Perth later this year (google), Gabi Targett (A Labour of Love) is hosting it. You'll be on a high for a month after attending it. Another amazing highlight of these conferences is the work of Nic Edmonstone who is an absolute artist - she produces the most beautiful, touching birth videos. She had 300 women all bawling simultaneously, happily passing tissues.

['Rene'sMumma']

Thanks ladies for the replies (any more are welcome too :)) It is all helping me to come to a decision :thumbsup:

While I'm at it I might as well ask this too. I'd much love to work with young pregnant mums/school age mum but I've been struggling to work out how to get to that goal so I've been thinking that to become a Doula could help me get there (besides the fact that I desire to help women get beautiful, wonderful births that they want)

So if anyone works in some capacity like this I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks a million,
Chantel (information bandit lol)

[Noah_and_Elijah]

I've just signed up to do the optimum birth course and I am so excited! I will let you know how I go! :yes:

['Rene'sMumma']

Awesome :smiliedance:good luck with it and thanks I'll look forward to hearing from you:)

[alexand laurens mum]

Hi,

I've just enrolled to optimum birth but still not sure what i want to do! CBI or OB!! Thanks for asking these questions! I was trying to think of some to ask myself! So you've helped me out too!

I hope your course goes well noahsmama!!

Nic