How do I go about volunteering?

[gille]

Hello all!
I'm not yet a doula but I'm interested in volunteering just to get my feet wet right now. I figured that would be a smart thing for me to do. I'm in Houston and have found a few places but I'm not sure how or what to ask them.

What is the right way to go about it? I don't mind just observing or even getting all in there. Do I call or should I go in? I'm REALLY new to this so I have no idea.

Can I ask if I only have a limited amount of time? I'm going to be working all day and may only have time during the evening or the weekend. I don't want to waste anyone's time but I do want the experience.

Also, just throwing it out there, if anyone has recommendations as far as people or places in Houston that would allow me to work with them please let me know. I'm for all the help I can get.

If it helps any I'm interested in helping pregnant women while pregnant, during birth and afterwards. I also want to be a Lactation Consultant. Need lots of training!!

Thank you all!

[gille]

Oh! I forgot to mention that I wont be able to get my certs just yet if that changes anything.

[mari]

Hi

Volunteering for what - to labor sit, to give support during labor and after? My experience is that most people want someone who has done some training or has been able to get experience working with friends or family. Maybe there is a friend or family member who is pregnant that you can start with - It is an exciting endeavor!

Mari

[earthgirl]

I would take a training (or at least a distance education course), before volunteering. Once trained check out www.operationspecialdelivery.com
and list your services on www.bellywomen.net
Goodluck!

[doulagirl]

I got a doula training course first, then called the maternity center at the local hospitals to find out which one would be most friendly. I found one that has a volunteer doula program, the nurses on staff gave me the ph # of the program coordinator, then I interviewed with her and have been getting quite a bit of experience with them. Good luck!

[christianchildbirth]

You might consider volunteering at your local crisis pregnancy center.

Another way is to teach childbirth classes and then go to your students birth if they invite you.

You might see if there is an established doula program at any of the hospitals, or ask them if they allow you to observe a birth.

You can get in touch with local childbirth educators and offer your services to their students

Some have listed themselves on craigslist.org

You can put your information out at your church or social network

Find other doulas who might allow you to shadow them (a preferred method)

Check with your local homebirth midwives and see if they would allow you to be involved

Happy doula-ing!