How do you go about becoming a doula??

[ourfirstbubba]

I am really interested to hear how you train to become a doula? How long is the course? And what are the requirements??

Thanks

[BigGeorge]

I'm a bit clueless.... whats a doula?!?! :laughing: :confused: :D

[ourfirstbubba]

A doula is a support person for a lady in labour. It has become quite popular I believe......

but I dont know much else so hopefully some people will post!

[Mamaduke]

From what I understand, anyone can become a doula.
You just pay to do the course modules, attend a certain amount of births and voila...you're a doula!
Childbirth International (http://www.childbirthinternational.com/index.html)is one company who provides a course.
From what I can see the only requirement is that you pay for the course.

[Tracie]

Hi Ourfirstbubba,

Mamaduke's right - there's no pre-requisites to be able to do a course and there doesn't need to be really - although it does help to have that inner desire/calling to help birthing mums!

There are probably heaps of women out there who have already been a "Doula" at sometime, or will be in the future. Any woman who supports another woman through pregnancy and particularly the birth experience is essentially a "Doula".

The word “doula” comes from ancient Greek, and means “Woman’s servant.” From day dot, women have supported other women through labor and birth and I guess the modern day "doula" just takes that support a little bit further in that they do some study so that they can become familiar with not only all the aspects of the natural birth process but also with current maternity practises.

A Doula would generally provide lots of ante-natal support for the mum and help her to prepare for labour and her newborn. When it comes to the birth, a doula is someone who is experienced in childbirth and provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support. They can help keep the lines of communication open, explain any procedures being suggested, offer comfort measures to the mum and offer support to the dad / partner. Lots of other stuff too - every mum and every birth is different.

I guess the big bonus that comes with a Doula is that it is continuous support and it's coming from someone that the mum knows and has established a relationship with prior to arriving at the birth suites.

Anyway, there are quite a few organisations that run Doula courses - some require face to face workshops, some don't and they all have differing requirements with respect to reading lists, exams, assignments and no. of births needed to achieve the Certificate.

Birthing Rites Australia, Bondi Junction, Sydney
Phone 02 9387 3615or visit www.birthingrites.com

Doula Express, Waterloo, Sydney
Phone 1300 139 507 or visit www.birthcentral.com.au

The International College of Spiritual Midwifery, Hawthorne, Melbourne
Phone 03 9818 1177 or email icsm@womenofspirit.com.au
visit www.womenofspirit.asn.au

Optimum Birth, Gold Coast, Queensland
Visit www.optimumbirth.com or email chris@optimumbirth.com.

Childbirth International - online
Visit www.childbirthinternational.com.

I have my certificate through Childbirth International but I am also doing DONA certification because they are a world-recognised and respected organisation with a wonderful code of ethics and standards of practice. I also liked that they require you to be evaluated by the midwives and Drs at the births that you attend. Keeps you accountable to some degree? The only trick with doing DONA certification is finding a workshop to go to as you must have that 16 hours of face to face stuff before you can make a start on anything else.

http://www.dona.org

Hope that helps - if you have any other questions just give me a coo-ee! :thumbsup:

[ourfirstbubba]

thanks so much Tracie and Mamaduke, I will definetely look into the various courses after bub arrives....I have thought about the midwifery course but I feel I have done enough Uni study and can't imagine doing 6 years part time!

thanks again