For all of you Aspiring Doulas: What got you interested?

Bex · 07-04-2007, 10:54 AM

How did you get interested in becoming a doula? Had you already been attending births for a while, and realized you could do this proffesionally, did you read about doulas, have a doula at your birth?

For me, I was just perusing a site one day about a year and a half ago when I saw the word doula. I read about it and thought--hey! I could do that--i would LOVE to do that! I loved babies, was fascinated with pregnancy, and I loved to support and "take care". I didn't think anything of it for a few months, and then in January, it was just like--Hey! It's time to do this!

I had never attended a birth, and did not have my own children, so I had ALOT to learn. Finding Alldoulas made it MUCH easier, i'll admit

So, now I'm well on my way, and i LOVE IT!

I would love to hear about you other Aspiring Ladies!

Kacy · 07-04-2007, 10:57 AM

I was reading a message board about natural living and a lot of the posts centered around pregnancy and childbirth. Everyone recommended "hiring a doula" to help with their births, and I looked it up, and bam! It just clicked. That was what I was supposed to do.

I know it sounds cheesy, but it really is a calling.

amymaew · 07-04-2007, 11:04 AM

I honestly don't remember. I know it's been a while since I first started thinking about being a doula - maybe it was around the time I decided that my 2nd child would be born at home?

I'm not sure. That was when Keith was around 2. I thought I wanted to be a postpartum doula only and then after I had Henry I decided that I wanted to be a birth doula.

sumama · 07-04-2007, 11:10 AM

I remember it was after my first daughter was born. I looked into DONA and printed out all the information and showed it to my husband. I was very interested in doing it, but it fell to the wayside for many many years because I was so busy having babies and being a full time mommy, lol. After my third and last child was born I decided to really take the plunge. Except I decided to go with CAPPA instead. I ordered the Labor Doula certification packet from them and waited a whole year for the training. I wanted my son to be a little bit older before I jumped right in.
I've always wanted to be involved with childbirth somehow. Hey, if I can't have anymore why not help other mamas have them!

Many years ago I thought I might want to be a midwife. I don't think I'm up for that job anymore, but maybe someday when my kids are full grown I'll change my mind.

DoulaKaren · 07-04-2007, 11:30 AM

It was after I had my son. I had a crap-tastic birth experience with my daughter 2 years prior (sorry Im!!!) but when Zee was born, I had a great passion rekindled. I wanted to "share the love" and great experience that I had, and see if I couldn't help others down the path I am on, too.

DoulaCBE · 07-04-2007, 12:37 PM

I'm not so aspiring anymore, but couldn't resist commenting.

Many years ago we were thinking of having another baby and while I had good births (but laden with interventions) I knew there had to be something different. I found the Homebirth Board and the Birth Options Debate Boards on AOL and met a woman who was passionate and informed about birth and she had Doula in her screenname. I asked her about what she does and I was hooked.

It totally changed the direction of my life. I stopped planning for another baby and started reading, researching and found a training in my area and went for it, with all my soul.

motherslilhelper · 07-04-2007, 01:13 PM

My reason for wanting to become a doula is partly due to my own birth story as well as my sisters.
When I was pregnant with the twins about 17 years ago, I was young and not at all educated in childbirth. My AFP came back elevated, and I had to wait 4 days for a sono wondering if my "baby" had spinal bifida...it was horrible. Then we found out the elevation was due to twins, which the Dr. never said could be a possibility. I then got gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. I went into premature labor at 32 weeks and went on mag to control the labor...that was TORTURE! I remember shaking uncontrollably from that med. I was transferred to another hospital which specialized in high risk pregnancies (twins were a big deal back then). I was on bed rest for another 4 weeks until they did an amnio to check for lung development which lo and behold, my water broke 20 minutes later. What I remember most about my birth experience is fear and pain. I know now that if only I had a Doula, it would have made such a big difference. I didn't know what was going on, how to alleviate any of the pain, and just layed there and did what I was told to do. I did have an epi but "was allowed" to deliver vaginally 22 hours later (after a good dose of pit). Ronny was delivered with forceps and vacuum (stuck on the lip of the cervix so I was told) and Tim was delivered without any additional help after being turned from a breech position after 8 minutes (yeah!) I will never ever forget the amazing feeling of having another soul enter that room and then another...it truly is a miracle.
Six years ago, I also had the honor of being a birth partner for my sister at the last minute whose DP was serving in Iraq. I didn't have the time to get more info, so I instinctively supported her the best way I knew how. Although she had an epi, it was only a partial, so she still felt labor on one side. But we breathed through her contractions and her transistion went quickly. She feels she had a wonderful birth experience with the help of her sister (yeah - that's me!)
I just knew I had a longing to comfort other women with their births as well as to learn all I could to have more information to share with the mamas. So, here I am, searching the forums, reading books, going through CAPPA and on my way to being a Doula!
Sorry for the long post, but I could really go on and on.........

pfratz · 07-04-2007, 02:02 PM

After the birth of my 3rd son. I had a doula with him and having her there made all the difference. I'd like to do the same for others.

WrenAK · 07-05-2007, 06:51 PM

After having several less-than-ideal pregnancy and birth experiences, I decided I really wanted to be one of those people who helps educate mothers to have the best experience they could. I've wanted to be a midwife for several years now, I just don't have the time, money, or access to do that kind of program just now. I thought maybe becoming a doula would be a foot-in-the-door. And who knows... maybe I will discover that a doula is what I'm meant to be!

granola_mom · 07-07-2007, 03:16 PM

i've always wanted to do a helping profession, but never seriously considered anything to do with birth. in high school, on career day, i went to a presentation by a midwife that was sooo cool. she showed us a video of a homebirth and i thought it was awesome... a little gross and scary, but awesome. but it never crossed my mind once that i wanted to be a midwife.

it was only after i gave birth myself, naturally with my midwife, that i realized how interesting this type of work could be and how i could help women. i had to do a lot of research and make lots of critical decisions to get the birth i wanted. i didnt have a doula but id heard about it during pregnancy. three months after i gave birth a friend of mine was due to give birth and wanted to do it naturally with an OB... i was so excited to talk to her and help her plan and make decisions that would help her achieve her ideal birth. being a doula crossed my mind but i really didnt think i could do it for some reason. then i started buying books on pregnancy and birth... didnt know why because i was all done with it haha... but then i just realized, "im a doula" and started on the process of becoming certified.

fourgirlsforme · 07-07-2007, 03:31 PM

I first thought about it over five years ago! A woman I worked with was training through DONA, I was pregnant with my 5 yo and the word doula kept "popping up" on my PG message board. It took until this year though due to money, time and babies!

douladot · 07-07-2007, 04:35 PM

I was perusing midwifery sites about 5 years ago and really wanting to get into midwifery, but the laws in NC are not great with that...you HAVE to be a CNM to work and even sometimes around here CNM's can only do office visits and not work at the hospital. So, I came across the word "doula" on a board one day and thought that would be a fantastic way to get my feet wet. I love it...just would love to be in a more progressive area where it wasn't so hard trying to convince people that doulas are needed.

WildWest Doula · 07-08-2007, 04:12 PM

I've been attracted to pregnancy and children my entire life. Babysitting, working in daycare & preschool, helping at hospitals. I was going to become a midwife but was learning there's a lot more to it than I thought when I met a postpartum doulas at a local baby group. We started talking and when I got home I read everything I could on birth doulas.

elang99 · 07-18-2007, 08:23 AM

For me it was definitely giving birth myself and having my girls at home. Ever since my first was born, I always had an interest, then when I was pregnant with my 2nd, I saw an ad in the paper and I jumped at the chance to take the course. I am still waiting on my first client - due at the beginning of OCtober - I can't wait!

heather_c · 07-18-2007, 09:26 AM

I had a "train wreck" birth experience with my son, and I was researching ways to avoid that with my future children. In my research I learned a lot about doulas and decided that I wanted to become a doula, so I could help them try to have a positive birth experience.