Doula Training

[SEGirl]

Hi

I'm thinking of a career change! I would love to study midwifery but with young children and financial constraints I cannot commit to 3 years full time training at present. So thought Doula training might be a good option.

Are there are any Doulas that would recommend a particular course? Or if anyone has had any experience of hiring a Doula? I had a look online at courses but I'm none the wiser as to which would be the right/best one. There is one course that is accredited by Middlesex University but they are separate from Doula UK which there appears to be a lot of support for. They are quite expensive and I don't want to make the wrong decision, so any experience you could share would be really useful.

Many thanks

[Saffron]

Hi SEgirl. Would the accredited course at Middlesex Uni make it easier for you to move on to midwifery training, should you choose to in the future? Also, does Doula UK recognize the Middlesex accredation?

Why not have a chat or even arrange a meeting with someone from each organisation to discuss career options?

Best of luck! :)

[SEGirl]

Hi Saffron

Unfortunately Doula UK does not recognise the Middlesex University accreditation, which makes me wary! But I never thought about how that might help me in the future if I did pursue Midwifery. Good thinking! I was hoping someone nearby would have first hand experience, but in the meantime I'll contact them for a chat.

Thanks for the reply!

[GinaG3]

I'm in the same boat. I've wanted to do midwifery since pregnancy now. Cannot stomach the thought of education, I'd have to do GCSEs first too as I didn't even finish school. I thought about doula training but was put off by a) the expense of training b) the prospect of not many mums actually using doula services c) being used more as a nanny than mothers help

I trained as a breastfeeding counsellor in the end. That will help towards midwifery if I choose to go for it in the future. I actually want to train through midwifery, then become a lactation consultant after that too but it's serious serious work and endless coursework. If I could do from home, would suit me to the ground. There are a few doulas about the forum, try searching doula and I sure the lady in thinking of will come up and may be able to offer more advice. Think her name is Natalie?

[GentleStrength]

I'm a doula. Feel free to get in touch. :)

[Saffron]

I really, really wanted an ante-natal/birth doula. I was out of the country working for most of my pregnancy. When I returned to London and started looking for a local doula (around 6 months pregnant), I actually couldn't find one that met my needs and was available. I think there is a need for good local doulas to assist in birthing, not a nanny-role at all. Don't be put off. My midwives were very supportive of the idea of doulas assisting the birth. They said that doulas are often doings things they would like to do but midwives are simply spread too thinly timewise. xx

[sillywoman]

Hi SEGirl, the course my friend did that I PM'd you about was with these people;http://www.consciousbirthing.co.uk/

She's training to be a Midwife but had to take a year out for medical reasons so did her Doula training then. She was very impressed with their approach & raved about the course when she came back. They are accredited by Doula uk.

[GentleStrength]

Saffron Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I really, really wanted an ante-natal/birth doula.

> I was out of the country working for most of my

> pregnancy. When I returned to London and started

> looking for a local doula (around 6 months

> pregnant), I actually couldn't find one that met

> my needs and was available. I think there is a

> need for good local doulas to assist in birthing,

> not a nanny-role at all. Don't be put off. My

> midwives were very supportive of the idea of

> doulas assisting the birth. They said that doulas

> are often doings things they would like to do but

> midwives are simply spread too thinly timewise. xx

I'm so sorry to hear that you couldn't find a doula! I go through spells of having a very hard time finding clients. How ironic.

Midwives are absolutely spread too thin. Guy's Hospital is actually planning to hire a full-time team of doulas for their labour and postnatal wards. This will ensure that women are never left alone, lacking care. It's a fabulous idea.

[sillywoman]

There isn't a maternity unit at Guys. I guess you must mean St Thomas?

It's really fantastic news that they'll be doing that, I can't wait until the MSLC in a couple of weeks (anyone welcome) where I'm sure they'll be announcing it so we'll be able to find out more.

[SEGirl]

Thanks so much for all the great info. I'm going to have a look into the course that your friend did, thanks sillywoman.

Really interesting that Guys & St thomas are looking into hiring a team of full time Doulas, maybe this is the way things will go in the future?!

[sillywoman]

Hmmm, spoke to the chair of G&T's MSLC today - she hadn't heard anything at all about Doula's being hired by Tommies. The joint Kings & Tommies MSLC is next week so I'll ask then & hopefully find out more to report back.

[GentleStrength]

Perhaps I misheard about which hospital! I'll double check.