There
are two different kinds of doulas, birth and postpartum. A
birth doula is a professional birthing coach, providing
physical, emotional and informational support to a laboring
couple. A postpartum doula comes after the baby is born to
help with simple chores, errands, provide breastfeeding
assistance and help with basic baby care.
Birth Doula:
Step
1:
Get certified so you have some professional
credentials. DONA International (formally
Doulas of North America), CAPPA (Childbirth and
Postpartum Professional Association), ICEA
(International Childbirth Education Association) and
ALACE (Association of Labor Assistants and
Childbirth Educators) are just a few of the most
well known certification programs.
Step
2:
Read lots of books about childbirth and surf the
Internet for articles and studies so you have the
most up to date information. Make sure these
books and articles cover a wide range of
philosophies about birth so you can learn the most,
so you can support your clients to the best of your
abilities.
Step
3:
Go to birthing seminars and classes. Most of
them are going to be offered by a certification
program. These seminars allow you to learn a
great deal about birth in a short amount of time,
and allow you to network with other doulas.
Step
4:
Attend births. Births are the best place to
learn how to support a laboring woman. Until
you're certified or have attended at least five
births, you should not be charging couples or you
should be charging a reduced fee for these births.
Step
5:
Network with other doulas, childbirth educators,
midwives, nurses, obstetricians and gynecologists.
Networking gives you the opportunity to learn about
birth, provides you support people, and with people
you can talk about birth with. In addition,
the more people you know, the more clients you'll
probably get.
Postpartum Doula:
Step1:
Consider getting certified as a postpartum doula.
While many postpartum doulas aren't certified,
certification is becoming a must if you want to be
accepted professionally in your birthing community.
DONA and CAPPA offer postpartum certification.
Step
2:
Contact birth doulas in your area. Birth
doulas are great places for postpartum doulas to get
referrals to clients. Birth doulas often know
when their clients are struggling after birth, but
due to their unpredictable schedule, often have
trouble helping after birth.
Step
3:
Attend a breastfeeding seminar or a few La Leche
League meetings. One thing all postpartum
doulas offer is breastfeeding support and learning
all you can about breastfeeding will help you help
your clients.
Step
4:
Find as much information as you can about caring for
newborns. Read books and Internet articles to
keep up on the latest research so you can help your
clients the most.
There
are two different kinds of doulas, birth and postpartum. A
birth doula is a professional birthing coach, providing
physical, emotional and informational support to a laboring
couple. A postpartum doula comes after the baby is born to
help with simple chores, errands, provide breastfeeding
assistance and help with basic baby care.
The
