Doula Tree

Birth Stories

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Q&A

Weekly Topics

April 18-24, 2016

What led you to decide to become a doula? What called you to this work? What has your doula journey been like so far? This week's topic is about what inspired you to do the work that you do and to share your story!

April 25-May 1, 2016

A question that a lot of expecting parents (and even non-expecting individuals) ask is "what is a doula? what do they do?" This thread gives you the opportunity to share how you would explain to someone what a doula is and what their role is in birth, antepartum, postpartum, etc. In addition, you can add what being a doula means to you, if you like!

Book Recommendations

Resources

Back-Up Doula Requests

Doula Chat

A place for doulas to chat about the various parts that make up their role as a birth professional. Within, you will find threads on numerous topics where you can share your experiences, learn from others, and give advice.

Breastfeeding/Bottle Feeding

As a doula, it is important to encourage mothers to provide for their babies how they are best capable and in supporting their decisions without influencing them through personal bias. We must be willing to be neutral parties for our clients, providing further resources and information so that they can make informed decisions, even if those decisions are not those that you believe to be "best." A quote that I feel best encompasses this ideal is "There is no way to be a perfect parent, but a million ways to be a good one." Here, you can share your educational background with lactation, tips and tricks you found helpful for encouraging a newborn to successfully breastfeed or take a bottle, formula options you found to be best based on client experience for gas/organic/non-GMO/plant-based/etc. You are also encouraged to share any resources or books you know of that have assisted you in this area during your experience as a doula.

Why a Doula?

When considering hiring a doula, an expecting parent encounters a great deal of questions. It is here that I hope you will be able to learn more about the doula, the role they play in pregnancy, labor, or postpartum, and how you can find the doula that is right for you!

What is a Doula?: History of the Doula

What Does a Doula Do?: the Role of a Doula

What Kinds of Doula Are There?: an Introduction to the Different Types of Doula Available to You

How Does Hiring a Doula Benefit Me Before, During, or After Birth?

What is the Difference Between a Trained and a Certified Doula?

How Does One Become a Doula?: Doula Training and Certification Process

How Do I Go About Hiring a Doula?

What is the "Average" Cost of a Doula?

Will a Doula Replace My Birth Partner?: Doulas and the Birth Partner

Further Reading

Find Your Doula

Doula Tree Contact List

Welcome, Aspiring Doulas!

Hello, aspiring doulas! Your role as a doula is so important and valuable, whether you are supporting an expecting individual/couple through pregnancy (antepartum), birth/labor, or the postpartum period/fourth trimester. By choosing to become a doula, you have taken a big step in the direction of redefining birth as a mother-centric experience, an ideal that is beginning to change the American birth culture. Here, in this category for doulas just like yourself, you will be able to find information on how one can become a certified doula (training, certification groups, etc.), local resources for doulas/aspiring doulas, and ask questions of one another and of experienced doulas who will also be participating throughout the forum. Feel free to delve into the "For Doulas" section to get a better idea of what a doula actually does and how priceless the experiences others have had as a doula have shaped them and helped them to grow as a person and as a professional. There is additional information (a little FAQ about doulas and the doula business) in the section "For Expecting Individuals/Couples). Perusing through this category could be a great jumping off point for those on the fence about becoming a doula. I hope that you can find some useful information throughout this forum that will help you pave your way towards your goal of becoming a certified doula!

Doula Training

DONA Training

CAPPA Training

Other Training Programs

Doula Certification Through DONA

Birth Doula Certification

Postpartum Doula Certification

Doula Certification Through CAPPA

Birth Doula Certification

Postpartum Doula Certification

Other Certification Programs