TAFE report help???

[warriorPRINCESSdaughter]

Hi I am at TAFE doing adult tertiary preparation course so i can get into Uni next year to do Midwifery, anyway we have to write a report on any subject we choose. Mine is Doula support v midwifery care and are Doula's valued as professionals?. Can any of you answer the following questions as I would like to give the report more body by having a survey.

Do you think the on line course has enough information for student doula's?

Do you think that you were well prepared once you finished the modules for attending the required births to become certified?

How do midwives treat you in the Birth Suite? Good and bad experiences.

Do you feel that your a valued member of the team at a birth?

Would you have any advice for students that you did not know when you first became a Doula, that you know now?

Do you ever feel that the hospital staff at times make you feel intimidated when you are trying to negotiate with them to respect your clients wishes?

Would you think it beneficial for Doula's to be at more than tree births to graduate?

How long have you been a Doula? and how many births have you attended?

Your age?

Thanks Jodie

[QTB]

Here you go :D


Do you think the on line course has enough information for student doula's? No, but i think its an excellent base for self learning! I believe it had all it needed, but iv defiantly learnt so so much more working with women than what i learnt thru the course!

Do you think that you were well prepared once you finished the modules for attending the required births to become certified? yes and no, i think i was prepared, but cos i didnt know what actually happened in a birth it was had to be prepared.

How do midwives treat you in the Birth Suite? Good and bad experiences. Iv only had excellent experiances with midwives, so i cant really comment on bad experiances, but all midwives have been fantastic and very supportive of my clients having me there!

Do you feel that your a valued member of the team at a birth? Absolutely!!

Would you have any advice for students that you did not know when you first became a Doula, that you know now? The only thing i could suggest would be to talk to other doulas, find out all you can before your first training birth!

Do you ever feel that the hospital staff at times make you feel intimidated when you are trying to negotiate with them to respect your clients wishes? Never, iv always had awesome midwives to deal with and they have always been very open minded (im starting to think i have alot of good luck! lol)

Would you think it beneficial for Doula's to be at more than three births to graduate? I think 3 is a great number, 1st - you dont really know what your doing, so are more observing and helping where you can, 2nd you know a bit more about what to expect and play a more hands on role, but still not 100% confidant, 3rd - you are sooo much more confident and play a totally active role the whole time!

How long have you been a Doula? and how many births have you attended? iv been a doula for just over a year now, and certified since august 07. iv attended 15 (?) ish births now :)

Your age? 24

[SaraJ]

Very Interesting!

I will be watching with keen interest!

I will get back to you with my answers once "my" mum has her baby shortly!!!

[moonblossom]

Do you think the on line course has enough information for student doula's? It has the basics. You get out of it what you put into it. I found my course with CBI touched the points that I needed to know, but I feel it is up to the individual to make the most of the basics that you learn.

Do you think that you were well prepared once you finished the modules for attending the required births to become certified? I do definately. But I have to say, I don't know if it was the course persay that prepared me. I think I was prepared anyway, helping a woman with her birthing experience seems to be very intuitive to me.

How do midwives treat you in the Birth Suite? Good and bad experiences. With the greatest respect, and a little curiosity. At my last birth, I could hear the nurses and midwife's whispering there was a Doula in the birthing suite and they would sneek a look to see what I was doing. I have always been thanked by them after the birth. I don't know if it is my age, so I instantly gain a little respect. But I haven't had any problems with midwife's, only respect and support for what we do.

Do you feel that your a valued member of the team at a birth? ABSOLUTELY no doubt about it. With the births I have attended, they all wanted drug free natural births, and achieved it with support. I do not say this lightly, but every one has said they couldn't of done that without me. Of course they could, but having someone there you trust completely helps beyond belief.

Would you have any advice for students that you did not know when you first became a Doula, that you know now? Even though having a Doula Bag full of useful equipment can be good, the only things to date I have used from it is wheatbags LOL. I have found the woman just wants your full attention. It may be different in the future for different women, but this is what I have found. Also, learn up on some Accupressure. I have only recently started doing this, and it makes an incredible difference.

Do you ever feel that the hospital staff at times make you feel intimidated when you are trying to negotiate with them to respect your clients wishes? No I haven't. Once they have been told who I am, they leave us. My first birth was amazing, the doctor and midwife involved me totally in the process, didn't push me aside once, and the doctor even said he had never seen a drug free natural birth before, that blew me away, and made me quite sad at the same time. I'm sure I will come across some difficult care givers at some time, but they are not my focus, and I don't really have time for anyone who really is not there wishing the best outcome for their patient.

Would you think it beneficial for Doula's to be at more than tree births to graduate? I don't think so. Like I said, I feel being a Doula is a very intuative thing. You either get totally into the mother's 'zone' during those training births, or you don't. If you don't, then its time to look for a different line of work.

How long have you been a Doula? and how many births have you attended? I have been an uncertified Doula for many years, but certified for a year. I have attended 13 births.

Your age? 44

Good luck on your paper, I hope this helps.