Calling all doulas!

[JanetF]

I've noticed there are more than a few doulas, and aspiring doulas, on bubhub. I'd love to hear about your work, and your training. What drew you to being a doula? What do you love about it?
:D

[mummycloud]

I have just started my Doula training. I have done nursing with the goal of becoming a midwife, but realised, after finding out about Doulas, that midwifery wasn't what I really wanted to do.

I want to be able to focus my whole attention on one birth at a time for a start, and offering pain relief and support and a perfect birth expieriance is my dream job.

I have had 4 of my own children and was looking for my own perfect birth, of course it never happned with me, because I never had my own Doula :(
I have attended 5 other births of close friends and they were the best days of my life.

My life is almost consumed by childbirth. If I'm not reading about it, I'm watching Birth Day and a Birth story and Maternity Ward on Foxtel...LOL

I know I will NEVER, EVER, EVER get sick of childbirth. I've been obsessed with it since I was 7 years old :D My DH thinks I'm crazy, maybe I am, but if I can earn a living from being welcomed into the most intimate, joyess times of a family's life, then I am the happiest person in the world.

[JanetF]

That's just lovely! How lucky the mamas who have you supporting them must be!
:D

[mummycloud]

Thankyou Janet :D

It's an absolute privilege to be present at their births. The enjoyment I get out if it is absolutly wonderful :D

[alissa-mareesmum]

Count me in,

I will be starting my course when we have moved interstate to wollongong at the end of next week. I want to train with optimum birth. Has anyone trained with them if so i would greatly appreciate your opinions about going through them. I had an empowering birth with my daughter now eight and a half months old to say the least. I was in labour for 3 days,( had very long first stage) i went into labour spontaniously (sp). Then it was eight hours from when my waters broke to when i birthed her and i pushed for 1.5 hours. Alissa was posteria but thankfully only tiny at 2.660kgs, 49cm long, head circ 33.5. We have amazing photos of the labour and birth as well as video of her actual birth. O.K. i'm rambling but i get so excited thinking about it.

Anyways after doing childcare for a number of years and one year at uni doing a bachalor of education i still didn't feel right about what my passion was. I had always had an interest in widwifery but did not want to do nursing. After going through my pregnancy and suffering with ante natal depression and having no help or support from professionals as everyone was concerned about post natal depression which i didn't get. Having an amazing labour and birth and wounderful post natal support from my mum and fiance. I realised how passionate i was about preganancy, labour, birth and post partam support. Then did lots of research about doulas and the importance of woman to woman support etc. I can't wait to get started on the course, i'm on bubhub everyday and JanetF i always read your posts with interest as i always want to learn more.

JanetF is there anyway you could let me know of any other doulas in the wollongong area that i could network with. Thanks for reading and good luck to all aspiring doulas.

Best wishes Jade.

[JanetF]

Hi Jade :D It's great to hear of another passionate birth nut! This is a Wollongong pregnancy/birth service who might know of doulas http://www.blissfulbeginnings.com.au/

I bet we could find you some! If not, you're going to have a very busy career ;)

[eslay2005]

Hi,

I'm due to give birth late January, and wanted to learn more about your profession. I only just found out on this website about Doulas, but I'm still not sure exactly what thier roles are? How much do you normally charge?
I want to have a natural birth, preferably a water one with minimal fuss. I want to try and avoid (if I can) any drugs being offered at the Hospital. I'm still researching natural therapy to help me cope with the labour. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks and I love this webside!

Kind Regards,

Eslay :)

[JanetF]

Hi Eslay,
I'll email you a big heap of info about doulas and achieving normal physiological birth in a hospital setting. It's a complex path to birth in a hospital so you do need lots of support and preparation. A doula is essential!
:)

[JanetF]

http://www.birthritedoulas.com/what_is_a_doula.html
What is a "Doula"?
A doula is a non-medical birth professional. They provide non-medical emotional and physical support in addition to your doctor or midwife. They are found in hospitals, birthing centers & home births. They work in cooperation with your family's OB/GYN, nurses, mid-wives, and the partners of the laboring women. Doulas do not do physical exams or assess fetal or maternal well being. A doula does provide support, give suggestions, and provide comfort to both parents during the birth of their baby. They also provide education in the pre-natal period, during labor & birth and the post partum period. They also give you the alternatives and options, so that you may make informed decisions
A doula is:
• A healthcare professional who understands the natural process of birth, helping the parents to understand this process and works with them during Labor & Birth to create the most positive, healthy and natural experience possible for the family.
• One who provides non-medical continuity of care for birthing women and their partners, and eases the transition from home to hospital or birth center.
• One who facilitates, offers words of encouragement, supports and educates the couple, before, during and after birth.
More information about doulas can be found at:
http://www.lamaze.com
http://www.time.com
http://www.childbirth.org
http://pregnancy.about.com
http://www.mercola.com

Statistics show that using a trained Doula can have the following results:
• Shorter labors
• Reduced need for pain medication
• Fewer episiotomies
• 50% reduction in C-Sections
• Improved neo-natal outcomes
• Better mother- infant interaction
• Greater satisfaction with the birth
• Reduction in the use Pitocin
• 40% reduction in the use of forceps
• 60% reduction in the request of epidurals and more
More can be found about the research done with doulas at:
http://www.dona.com/positionpapers.html
http://www.mindspring.com/~pbodin/outcomes.html
http://pregnancy.about.com

[eslay2005]

Hi Janet,

Thanks for all the info, I'll read up on it tonight. I noticed you're from inner northern Melbourne, I'm also from the northern side of Melbourne. I'm booked in to have my baby at Northern Hospital in Epping.
I'm also looking for a reputable 4d ultrasound clinic around our area so far I've only found Early image in Pharan, they don't require a Docs referral which I prefer. I'm not sure if you can help me with this...... :D
By the way I love reading your posts, you're so informative and helpful.....

Kind Regards,
Eslay

[JanetF]

Hi neighbour ;)

Sorry no clues on u/s. I'm better on doulas :)

[DoulaFelicity]

Hi all,

Janet, you already know about me. :)

But for those who don't:-

Hi, I'm Felicity. :) I'm currently in the course of completing my Doula Certification through Childbirth International. I am openly and proudly passionate about birthing, advocacy, women's empowerment, the right for birthing women to be well informed, the sanctity of birth, and the necessity for communication of innate women's wisdom. I aim to be fully certified and have begun my own business by mid next year, operating in the greater Melbourne area.

I have two clients as a Doula in Training, due in late February and early March. I am thoroughly enjoying supporting them through their pregnancy journeys, and look forward to supporting them at their births. It is, at times, very challenging, and requires a lot of personal soul searching and reflection. I am grateful that I have found my calling.

I knew, the moment I knew what a Doula was, that I was destined to be one. I've always felt a deep connection with pregnancy, birth, and women's wisdom. I just needed to find form for that to manifest. Once certified, I am contemplating completing a Childbirth Educator course, and then, perhaps, a Midwifery degree (with an aim to independent practice and homebirthing support).

If anyone has any questions about Doulas (or just about me :p ), please feel free to ask. To be able to share one's passion with others is truly a wondrous gift.

Cheers,

[eslay2005]

Hi Felicity,

I've been reading up on your profession and am very interested to find a Doula near me but I think I may have left it too late. I'm due late January.
My question is where do I look for a registered Doula and what questions do I need to ask them to make sure that she meets my needs?
I live in Melbourne (northen suburbs).

Thanks and kind regards,
Eslay

[DoulaFelicity]

Hi Eslay,

Congratulations on your impending new arrival. :)

You haven't left it too late at all; if you are comfortable with commencing your relationship with your Doula at this stage, it shouldn't pose a problem. It is true that typically, a Doula would begin communication with you and forming a relationship over almost the whole period of your pregnancy; but it is also true that every Doula/client relationship is different, and many women don't find their Doula until late in their pregnancies. You still have around 3 months until your birth; plenty of time to find and communicate with a Doula. :)

If you're after a certified Doula, there are a few in Victoria advertised right here on Bub Hub. Here's the listing:-

(bubhub: the listing is on the following link: http://www.bubhub.com.au/servicesdoula.shtml (http://www.bubhub.com.au/servicesdoula.shtml)

sorry Felicity for editing, but we keep the above page up to date with changes as we are advised about them, but this post might become out of date and viewers may get the wrong number below. Please feel free to include a direct link to listings on the main Bub hub site at anytime)


Isis Caple (Essential Birth Support) was my Doula for the birth of my son in June this year. She was great. I do know she's just moved home (to Lara, near Geelong), so depending on where you live, she may not be able to reach you. She was also having a short break from Doula-ing whilst adjusting to her new environment. Still worth dropping her a line, though, just in case she is available. (She's in Phuket for a couple of weeks at the moment.)

Melanie Cane (TLC Doula Support) is on my Childbirth International Doula Student mailing list, and I've communicated with her through there. She seems great. Another one I would recommend personally.

Dial a Doula and Doula Express are both larger Doula organisations with a good philosophy, who may have a number of Doulas or Doulas in Training they could refer to you. Worth a look.

In terms of the questions you need to ask your Doula to see if they are a "match" with you, you would need to have some idea of what you want from your birth, and from your Doula. Tailor your questions specifically to that. (ie: if waterbirth were your ideal, you might ask "How do you feel about waterbirth? Have you supported at a waterbirth before? Do you feel interested in supporting me at my waterbirth?" - just as a general example.)

Here's a guide to what to think about when choosing your support person:-

Do I get on well with this person? Do I feel I can be myself, scream and cry, be naked in front of them and not feel self-conscious?

Will this person be a real physical and emotional support, or are they just there for 'the show'? Sometimes relatives put pressure on women to be invited to their birth, but become more of a hindrance than help. Don't invite someone because you feel you have to.

Will this person be available for me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, around the time of the birth? Are they contactable at any hour and will they come under any circumstances?

What are this person's beliefs? What is their experience of birth? Are they open-minded and positive, or are they anxious and fearful of the process of labour and birth? This may affect how they support you in labour.

Does this person feel the same as I do about my birth plans and will they support my decisions? This is your birth and not your support person's birth. Don't feel pressured into make the decisions that they feel are right for you. This may mean being talked into having pain relief because they feel uncomfortable with seeing you in pain, or pushing you into not accepting interventions because they have an investment in you achieving a natural birth. If you are considering a woman who is a mother, talk to her about her labour(s) and birth(s). Is there anything that would cause her to be anxious when she is helping you?

Will this person be OK if I decide not to call them, or ask them to leave at any time during the labour or birth? Communication is important and you should be honest about what you need. Your support person should be accepting of your decisions unconditionally.

Will this person take over my partner's role? This may be the intention of asking them in the first place, but many partners can feel displaced if they had envisaged being your 'rock' and their role is inadvertently taken over by your chosen support person.

Does my partner get on with this person? It is no good asking your best friend whom your partner does not particularly like. This has the potential for 'bad vibes' and conflict happening around you. Issues you don't need to deal with when you are having a baby.

Hope this helps. :)

Cheers,

[Tracie]

Hi Janet,

I have just in the last few weeks started to train through Childbirth International (Hi Felicity - we must have started around the same time!) and I'm doing their combined Doula/Childbirth Education Course.

During my first pregnancy (my little girl is now 3), I had a bit of an "a-ha" moment at 37 weeks when my obstetrician told me I had no other option but to have a caesarian (Charlotte was breech). If I hadn't had lots of loving, wise, supportive and caring women around me at that time, I may well have trusted that the Obstetrician knew best and submitted to having a caesarian birth, despite having spent the past 8 months preparing myself for my labour and really desperately wanting to try and do things naturally. My OB essentially told me there was nothing I could try to turn my baby and that "those hippy yoga types" (little did she know I WAS one! LOL!) will tell you there is but that none of it works and that my only option, and she simply would not discuss anything else, was caesarian. It was pretty scary at 37 weeks to suddenly realise that your OB has a completely different set of values and beliefs to you! Should have pulled out my list of birth-preferences MUCH earlier!!!
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I was lucky to have women around me to offer constructive help and suggestions and I ended up changing my OB to one who would consider vaginal breech birth, lying upside down on the ironing board with headphones under my tum and having acupuncture (moxibustion). Needless to say, Charlotte turned around (during the acupuncture session - I felt and could see it happening!) and we ended up having a really joyful labour experience!
I don't know that I would have had the confidence to make the decision to change OB, if I didn't have that support network.

Soooo.....I decided to train as a Doula/Educator because I really want to be to other women, what my wise helpers were to me! I'd like to help to provide as much information as I can about ALL of the options that women have for childbirth so that they can feel confident and empowered enough to choose the birth which they feel is "natural" for them (which could be anything between drug-free at home to elective caesarian). I believe, like you, women have the right to informed choice and I don't really think that many women get all sides of the story at the moment (but are led to believe that they are!)

So that's my aspiring Doula story - it's been 3 years and a couple of months since that 37 week experience and I have since had another bub too. It's therefore been in my mind for a while to do something and I am really glad I have finally taken the step. I am so looking forward to meeting lots of lovely women and assisting them in one of the biggest journeys, both physical and emotional, that they will ever make!

Cheers
Tracie

PS How long have you been a Doula and where do you do your work?

[JanetF]

Hi Tracie and what a brilliant aha! moment :D I'm not a doula, I run the Australian home birth network Joyous Birth and Accessing *******, a group for women recovering from traumatic birth. I look forward to getting to know you better! :)

[Tracie]

Hi Janet,
Thanks so much for the welcome and sounds like wonderful work you do. I will have a look at your site and forums too!
It's amazing what I have learned in the two days since I registered with Bub Hub!
Looking forward to drawing on your expertise and that of the many mums and dads, and supporters and whoever else contributes to this site.

[DoulaFelicity]

Welcome, Tracie. :) I've PMed you.