Some questions about being a doula

[Butterflies&Hurricanes]

For those studying and also qualified doulas... if you can please answer these questions for me that would be great!

1. What is expected of you at the birth?? I know this will vary from person to person but generally, what do you do? Do you just sit there with them, Talk to them, massage them, all of the above? WHAT?? I'm having trouble imagining what I will have to do exactly...

2. Are you expected to be there from the beginning? Do you only go to the hospital or do you go to their house whilst they are in labour but before going to hospital?? When is the usual time to turn up? Is it just when they call you??

3. I'm worried about where I am going to leave my son (and then this bubs I am cooking) when I have to go to a birth... What do you do? Do you leave them with DH? Do you have a babysitter? do you leave them with family? I'm worried cos I dont really have anyone nearby that I can just drop DS with. If I have to dash off in the middle of the night its fine but what happens when DH has to go to work in the morning? Is it possible to get places at childminders or the like for emergencies like that??

I'm starting to think I didnt think this all through properly! Eeeeek! :hair: But surely there are other SAHMs out there that are in the same boat but manage somehow??

Someone reassure me please!!:gloomy:

[QTB]

1. What is expected of you at the birth?? I know this will vary from person to person but generally, what do you do? Do you just sit there with them, Talk to them, massage them, all of the above? WHAT?? I'm having trouble imagining what I will have to do exactly... i do all of the above, and alot more... accupressure, aromotherpy, what ever mum and dad need/want or i think they want (music etc)

2. Are you expected to be there from the beginning? Do you only go to the hospital or do you go to their house whilst they are in labour but before going to hospital?? When is the usual time to turn up? Is it just when they call you?? Ok, I generally go from when i get the call, no matter what stage of labour they are at... if its only early early i dont rush.. if its close then i rush like crazy! lol

3. I'm worried about where I am going to leave my son (and then this bubs I am cooking) when I have to go to a birth... What do you do? Do you leave them with DH? Do you have a babysitter? do you leave them with family? I'm worried cos I dont really have anyone nearby that I can just drop DS with. If I have to dash off in the middle of the night its fine but what happens when DH has to go to work in the morning? Is it possible to get places at childminders or the like for emergencies like that?? This was my biggest worry too... iv been really lucky all of my births have been on weekends when DH has been home... but i have him in daycare 2x a week - his dad can pick up/drop off and the other 3 days my sister is on call :) but yes it is stressful trying to arrange childcare!

[~Emmylou~]

1. What is expected of you at the birth??

All the things you mentioned...it'll vary depending on what the mother wants. My last birth, the mother was labouring really well and and she just needed me to remind her to breathe well when she started to forget, hold her hand and just encourage her. She was awesome.

2. Are you expected to be there from the beginning? Do you only go to the hospital or do you go to their house whilst they are in labour but before going to hospital?? When is the usual time to turn up? Is it just when they call you??

Whenever they decide they need you is when you go. If they plan to labour at home and just go to hossy to birth you could be at their home with them and then go to the hospital. There's no set rule, they just call you when they feel they need you.

3. I'm worried about where I am going to leave my son (and then this bubs I am cooking) when I have to go to a birth... What do you do? Do you leave them with DH? Do you have a babysitter? do you leave them with family? I'm worried cos I dont really have anyone nearby that I can just drop DS with. If I have to dash off in the middle of the night its fine but what happens when DH has to go to work in the morning? Is it possible to get places at childminders or the like for emergencies like that??

I have no family or friends here that I can just leave my kids with either.
I am lucky in that DH has some flexibility in his job and can work from home at a pinch if it comes to that. The kids go to daycare 2 days a week anyway.
The last birth, I left home at 1am and got home at 9am. It was a daycare day so DH dropped the kids off and went on to work. I got to sleep all day so that one worked out pretty well! :D
We have plan A, B, C, D lol depending on what day of the week it happens.


I had a lot of the same worries as you but in the end I just bit the bullet and did it and I had to believe that because my calling to be a doula was so strong, that things would work out. I had no idea how but i had to believe that and somehow they have! Good luck :)