I really need to return to work (for financial reasons) after DD (almost 2) but I just can't seem to find a job that "fits" or that will hire me! I think I could be a really good doula...I'm a 40 yr old, 1 DD, artistic nature (musician by trade), somewhat obsessed with reading about pregnancy/childbirth since pregnant w/ DD, my former "day jobs" have been caring for those w/ developmental disabilities, substitute teacher & Gymboree teacher and I've had the nickname "Earth Mother E." since college and told be several friends they call me sometimes just to get calmed down! (evidently, a natural gift, nothing I strive toward) I've just always been a natural care-taker.
So, I have questions:
Do you have to be certified in your practicing state? I'm having trouble finding trainings that aren't many months away but I'm willing to travel
How does back-up happen? My preference is to join an "umbrella practice" or a hospital setting as I do have my own child & I have a part-time job as a church musician....it would be very difficult to ditch a concert especially as a soloist! They frown on that ;-) Most concerts last approx 2 hours & rehearsals can be arranged with notice, they are flexible w/ persons full-time jobs but we really do depend on the addition of this income
What does it take to join a practice? Do I need to attend births along w/ training? Can a living be made? (doesn't have to be a great living, just doable would be good)
Anyone with any thoughts/insight/info would be greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance!!
Go online and search for a school that trains doulas. You should be able to get financial aid for the training and daycare assistance.
As far as the music goes, I have a friend who has numerous awards for his liturigical music and has been a professional musician for over 40 years. PM me and I will tell you more about him.
In washington to be an actually ''doula'' yes you need to have a little cert training. It is only a 3 month course.
I to after having kids came to the realization i hated retail. which is my full back ground of working. I have been out for so long no one wanted to hire me as a manager. I went back as a parttimer to my last job, it was horrible having the shoe on the other foot so to speak.
I woke up one morning, and it just hit me, I will do the doula training so i can make some money to bring to the table, go back to school to become a full blown midwife. I told myself since i have had my tubes tied i cant ''have another'' I sure as hell though wanted to be apart of the magic of women giving birth. I think your heart is in the right place for it. I would look into classes at your local community college or like the one I am going to be taking is thorugh a technical college.
good luck on your journey I hope you do get to become a doula... We need more out there.
I think you should look into the different certifying bodies. I am being certified through DONA International. Typically, there are workshops offered every so often that cover all of the basic doula training. I have never heard of any technical colleges that offer it. In the state that I live, there are no requirements that I even be certified. I can take private clients, but I prefer the work I do volunteering through a hospital doula program here. I have two little ones, and it is tough for me to be on call around a woman's due date. That can be 4 weeks for each client. Good luck! I think it's great.
My friend, Malik Turley in Evanston, is a doula. In fact, she was my doula at my son's birth which is how we met. She is very generous and could share her insights and knowledge with you. She had a family oriented business called Hip Circle Studio in Evanston and can be reached at ###-###-####. Tell her J. suggested you call.
I am a certified birth doula and childbirth preparation educator. It can all be done. Private message me and we can talk. It is a really awesome profession!
Hi E.. I live in Oak Park and have been a doula for a little over 2 yrs. I trained through DONA but there are many different organizations that train and certify doulas. I'll send you a PM later tonight answering your specific questions. There's a great network of doulas in the Chicagoland area and we all support and work with one another. Being a doula is very rewarding :)
Best, A.
