Finding out how to become a doula is the first step to helping mothers through the stressful, uncomfortable affair of childbirth.
Doulas are in the privileged position of sharing this special moment with the mother, and are often the first person a baby sees on entering the world.
For many, a career supervising and assisting women before, during and after the birth of their child is infinitely preferable to a conventional nine-to-five job.
If you are one of these people, it is worth exploring how to become a doula and what exactly it is that the job entails.
Doulas are expected to provide support and advice to mothers-to-be as they prepare for the arrival of their child, and often their work continues after the birth itself as they help the family through the first few weeks of baby’s life. Being a doula, then, is not the same as being a certified nurse midwife; midwifery is the task of assisting childbirth, whereas a doula assists the woman more generally in her life as a mother.
How To Become A Doula
Those wondering how to become a doula should be aware of some of the skills doulas employ in their work. Since relaxation of the mother is paramount during the pregnancy, birth and postpartum period, doulas often employ holistic practices in place of traditional medicine.
Massage and aromatherapy are particularly popular among doulas as they provide simple, non-chemical methods of calming the mother and reducing her stress during this important time. While a range of skills are advisable, there is no official doula certification, and as such your doula training will be a more informal affair as you broaden your knowledge of pregnancy and childbirth.
Expanding Your Business
There are a number of opportunities for you to expand the business – chief among which is to create a network of doulas so that customers who seek your services when you are not available may be referred to another capable doula. You may also wish to look into extending your services far past the birth by opening a "well-being studio" which offers lessons in yoga and Pilates.
You may also arrange relaxation sessions or structured get-togethers in which women can discuss the challenges of motherhood as a doula stands by to moderate and offer her informed advice.
Another alternative is to open a daycare center. Mothers develop a tremendous amount of trust in their doula as they guide them through the process of childbirth, and as such they may consider them one of the few people they’d wish to look after their child.
While the process of attaining the necessary certifications to operate such a center is somewhat longer and more difficult than becoming an established doula, it can also be significantly more lucrative.
Childcare is a more consistent revenue stream since, as a doula, you will often find yourself with natural gaps between one mother and the next due to the unpredictable nature of childbirth and the differing amounts of time for which each mother will wish to employ your services.
This is an important aspect to consider when learning how to become a doula, and planning and expecting it early on should help make it easier for you.
