doula questions?

[BrAins]

i dont know much about doulas but i am very interested.
i have a few questions that i hope someone can answer.
what is the role of a doula during labour?
how do you become a doula?
how much do peole pay for a doula?

i guess i may have some questions once these have been answered but thats it for now.

thank you

melissa

[mad3under3]

i don't know much about doulas but i am very interested.
i have a few questions that i hope someone can answer.

what is the role of a doula during labour?

I doula is someone who supports you and hubby emotionally and physically but don't do anything medical. So we can suggest positions, verbal support, massage, support husband and most do a couple of meetings before and after baby to go through anything you might have questions about, make a birth plan, positions, breathing, and give reassurance.

how do you become a doula?

i did my course through childbirth international. once you have paid there is no time limit on completing, so it's great. You get a trainer and get student chat site that we all run things past each other, the mums are world wide to.
there course is mainly theory, but you have to go to 2births after you have started your training and a couple of pregnancy meetings for expecting mums at a hospital or somewhere.
they offer great payment plans, either once off payment, of lots of 6 smaller ones.

how much do people pay for a doula?

i charge $450, but others can be up to $1500. Altho what you get paid helps, you normally are on call for 2weeks either side of their edd, so you aren't making massive amounts no matter what you charge.

hope that helps, sorry if it doesnt make sense i have the kids running a muck
jasmine

[lilpearl]

1/ Birth support includes physical and emotional support -anything the woman requires...massage, help with possitions, someone to lean on, someone to fetch drinks, etc, someone int he room who she knows, she trusts, who trusts birth, and is an expert on assisting a woman through labour and birth. A doula CANNOT do anything medical. As well as birth support, it's really important to meet up with your doula at LEAST twice (preferably at least 4 times) before the baby is born, to get to know one-another, to construct a birth plan, and to discuss any concerns, etc, and practice any birth comfort measures (a doula will go to a hypnobirthing class with you, for instance, or go through visualisations with you, practice positions, explain the way the pelvis works, etc).

2/ I did the Optimum Birth doula course. I completed it over 18 months, and this was very managable. Before becoming a registered doula, one attends three births as a student doula. The course is run by dr. Christine Vose, an independent midwife, lecturer, and doula. Tutorials are held both in Brisbane and Melbourne, and course materials are sent to you/online. Very comprehensive course, thouroughly enjoyed every minute of it! :D

3/ Price is generally around the $1000 on average, depending on the area, but considering the fact a doula only has a client or two per month, MAX, a doula loves her job, not money. This price gives you access to the doulas personal reference library, photo-copying she will do for you, her transport, having your doula on-call 24/7 from 38 weeks pregnancy, complete labour support, even if it's a long labour, and post-natal visits (usually around 2 of them). Some doulas work as post-natal doulas, and the cost is generallya bout $35 per hour for this (often discounts depending on the number of hours needed). A post-natal doula usually can do overnight stays, too.