Can I be a doula without children?

[heartsopenwide]

Hey all. I just found out that I am going to get some help to pay for me to do doula training. I plan on signing up for CBI early next week. I only have two concernes. One I have never had any children myself and I am only 26. I am worried that people will not want to higher me because I am young and unexperienced in bearing children myself. Some one once told me, "How can you tell some one things like, you can do it, your doing great, and its almost over, or tell them how pregnancy is if you have never had a baby or experienced labor yourself yourself?" Have any childless doulas had any problems with this kind of situation? What do you suggest? Can I still be a doula even if I do not plan on having children for five more years (I want to finish nursing school first and then go to midwifery school)

[amymaew]

Of course you can be a doula! If men are OBs, you can be a doula I'm a CBI student too - it's a great distance course. Welcome to the doula world!

[Kacy]

Yes, of course you can be a wonderful doula without ever having had children! I'm younger than you, and I'm also childless. There have been lots of threads on here about being young and/or without children.

Here are a couple of links to past discussions which you may find helpful.

Too Young to be a Doula?
Being A Doula Without Personal Birth Experience

As Amy said above, the vast majority of OBs are male, so they've never done it, either! Congratulations on getting started! I hope you enjoy CBI as much as I have.

[earthgirl]

Absolutely.... my best friend was my doula, and she has no children (she was great by the way). Male OB's don't give birth, yet they deliver babies. Your character, nature, and other abilities are what will make you a great doula!

[Mile High Doula]

Absolutely! And by the way, there are men doulas too! So, you can certainly doula even though you haven't had kids. Good luck and congrats!!

[granola_mom]

I'm new to the doula world but I'm pretty certain you'll do great! Number one, age is just a number. I think your attitude and knowledge will do more for you than you think! I'm only twenty and I had one client's mother say snarkily upon meeting me, "What are you, eighteen? You look fresh out of highschool!" Her, her daughter and I talked for two hours and they hired me.

As for not having had children... I think maybe some people might prefer to have someone who has been through it but there are DEFINITELY enough expectant mothers who will take you on and care more about your knowledge and compassion. I had a midwife who hadn't had children and she was great and I didn't mind a bit because I saw that she could support me.

[naturalcuriosity]

I don't have any children, either, and have been a doula for 2 years. In some ways, it is an advantage to not have children. You don't have to worry about being on call and what to do with the kids when you go to a birth. Also, I find that many women who have had children tend to compare their birth experience to that of the laboring women. ("Well, this worked for me..and this happened with me," etc...Although, a good doula will not let her experience affect her judgement and care of her clients) I am a nursing student and quickly learned that you do not need to have experienced a certain illness or injury in order to effectively and compassionately. If you are warm, comforting & knowledgeable your clients will see this and it will not matter that you do not have children. I have never had anyone not hire me based on the fact that I have not had my own birth experiences.

[jenstano]

I think everyone else has pretty much said it already, but of course you can be a doula!! I am also only 26. I have just had my first bub, but honestly I now believe that I could have become a doula before this!!

I had a midwife during my pregnancy who was as young as they get, with no children, but she was almost my favourite as she displayed the most caring, compassionate and "can-do" attitude that it was a blessing to have had her during my prenatal care!!

Your "can-do" attitude will be what stands out the most, not your absence of having had a baby!!

All the very best! Oh, and I have also just started studying with CBI! It is FANTASTIC!!!

[landensmomma]

I am planning on starting CBI too in the next week or so, just figureing outthe $$ aspect. I just wanted to say go for it. Altho I am a son, I just turned 25 and I'm going for it!
When it is your turn, you will be well prepared. CONGRATS!
we should keep in touch over our training, and learn together !!

[AmandaB]

Everyone else has said it, but I wanted to add that way back when midwives used to be unmarried and no child, yet everyone in the village sought her out for advice (menstrual, pregnancy, children).

You will find that you will attract the couples that are right for you. I would say the average age of my clients is 37 and that is 10yrs older than me!! It will work it if is ment to. Best of luck.

[amymaew]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amandoula1980 I would say the average age of my clients is 37 and that is 10yrs younger than me!! It will work it if is ment to. Best of luck.

Dang, Amanda... you're old But I agree, you'll find the clients you're meant to have

[AmandaB]

Darn it!! thanks Amy, that is why we are gonna make a great team.

[LatinDoula]

i'm only 18, and already have some interviews lined up, i know someone who started when they were 17, and i don't have kids yet, but yet men can never have babies, or get periods, or know anything about cramps but they can still be OBGYNs! Bring joy and help to women in your area and be a doula!

Karen

[heartsopenwide]

Yippy Skippy! The money is in and my books are on the way!!! I am an official CBI doula student thankyouverymuch!!:wigg le

[earthgirl]

Yay!! Congratulations!!!