Mentoring newer doulas

helpinghands · 06-04-2008, 07:26 PM

Hey wise women,

I have recently more and more been approached by women seeking to become labor support (or doulas). I usually first refer them to DONA's website and suggest they start on the recommended reading list and of course, I mention alldoulas as a GREAT resource.. and then I remain open to answer questions via email or phone, as well as sharing many of my files on a dvr to give them ideas on what type of doula they would like to be, as well as hopefully planting seeds as to what choices are out there, etc. in the birthing field. At times I can't help but feel like I may be overwhelming some of these women with information overload..does anyone have a format they use to mentor new doulas? How much is too much? Any suggestions to help pare down to the bare bones/the basics perhaps? Should I keep it the way I am doing it? I truely don't know..so I thought I would ask for feedback. Additionally, I have another question.. although I have offered information to newer doulas and mentored that way, I have never had another doula observe at a birth. How does that work out? How do the clients typically respond to 2 doulas? Are the dynamics different..anyone want to share good/bad experiences with that? Hope this makes sense...nak, and baby is teething. thanks.

DoulaCBE · 06-04-2008, 07:38 PM

I do what you do. So I'd keep doing what works.

As for having students come observe births, it just doesn't work in our area. We've tried a number of times and clients kept telling us they don't want another person there. Understandable! Birth is intensely intimate.

Intuitivedoula · 06-05-2008, 01:03 PM

As a midwife I attend births. I also work with a childbirth assistant who attends the births as well. Many of the women I attend also have a Doula - some of them are our students. If I ask the birthing woman about having a student doula attend they usually are happy to have another person at the birth. I always tell them that they are under no obligation and that saying no is fine. Usually the student doula observes quietly unless we ask for help. After the birth we process how it went, what could have been differently, etc. We have forms that are filled out by the student about her observations, experience, perceptions.
I have found that most women welcome the opportunity to help a student.
Carla

rachel316 · 06-07-2008, 08:14 PM

I think you've been an amazing mentor!!! At first, I did feel like there was a TON of information to sort through... and I'm still nowhere near through sorting! However, I wouldn't have had it any other way. My questions are more towards the "how" rather than the "what" in the information. But I've never been pregnant, never had children... etc. So... getting from having ZERO information to a TON was tough. But I'm learning more and more every day and gaining confidence in myself and I have you to thank for it!

helpinghands · 06-07-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rachel316

I think you've been an amazing mentor!!! At first, I did feel like there was a TON of information to sort through... and I'm still nowhere near through sorting! However, I wouldn't have had it any other way. My questions are more towards the "how" rather than the "what" in the information. But I've never been pregnant, never had children... etc. So... getting from having ZERO information to a TON was tough. But I'm learning more and more every day and gaining confidence in myself and I have you to thank for it!

You are so kind

Thanks for your feedback and girl, let me tell you.. all that wisdom and knowledge were already in you..you are just learning to access it. Just think..when you have your own babies someday, you will be so educated and prepared

I am so thankful that more options for families in the Evansville area are starting to become a real possibility; it wouldn't be possible without women like you and the others who are stepping up to be change makers. I hope you decide to stay "for keeps" in this service. You know where I live!

ctowndoula · 06-08-2008, 12:30 AM

I am usually open to having coffee with a new doula and I tend to ask them alot of questions too. I ask them about the how this will impact their life (being on-call, bodily fluids, etc) and what are they doing to prepare themself. The reason I go about it this way is that we can't fill in all the gaps for them, anymore than my mentor could do it for me. I find out if they are on my list of potential shadows and let them know where I am and that they can ask me questions. I point them to web resources that are reliable such as childbirthconnections and encourage them to network with other doulas too.
I guess I look at it more that I am another resource for them to go to if they choose.

As for shadowing, that is a whole 'nother post...I think there are several on the bb already with the good and bad experiences so I won't add to it here.

Doula Mary · 03-10-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvansvilleDoulaCBE

Hey wise women,

I have recently more and more been approached by women seeking to become labor support (or doulas). I usually first refer them to DONA's website and suggest they start on the recommended reading list and of course, I mention alldoulas as a GREAT resource.. and then I remain open to answer questions via email or phone, as well as sharing many of my files on a dvr to give them ideas on what type of doula they would like to be, as well as hopefully planting seeds as to what choices are out there, etc. in the birthing field. At times I can't help but feel like I may be overwhelming some of these women with information overload..does anyone have a format they use to mentor new doulas? How much is too much? Any suggestions to help pare down to the bare bones/the basics perhaps? Should I keep it the way I am doing it? I truely don't know..so I thought I would ask for feedback. Additionally, I have another question.. although I have offered information to newer doulas and mentored that way, I have never had another doula observe at a birth. How does that work out? How do the clients typically respond to 2 doulas? Are the dynamics different..anyone want to share good/bad experiences with that? Hope this makes sense...nak, and baby is teething. thanks.

I have had another doula with me too many times to count..it works out very well. I was even at a birth with three doulas once. The majority of times I have had a second doula...we work together so nicely....we do not trip over each other in any way, silent communication. it's lovely and wonderful way to learn.

Mary

DoulaCindy · 03-12-2009, 11:41 PM

I was just about to post the same thing. I've had several aspiring doulas ask me if they could "shadow" me at a birth. I don't think I would mind, but how would I approach clients about this? Most of mine seem to want to keep it private. I'm thinking about putting it as a question on my initial prenatal workup to see if they'd be open to having another doula observe. I would have loved the opportunity when I was learning!

TO Doula · 03-12-2009, 11:55 PM

The hospitals in my area tend to have very strict limits on the number of people a woman can have with her at her birth. Has anyone else dealt with this and gotten student doulas in?

doulajamie · 03-13-2009, 09:32 AM

Rean: I am having the same problem here. The mother is forced to choose which really stinks. We have an OB who is advocating that our doulas be allowed in the room because we are "professional staff" and the program is a demonstration program. I don't know how much weight that will carry, I am hoping at least a bit. I am still putting together my information packet and "goody basket" to take to the nurses and coordinator of this particular hospital. Anyone else have good tips for dealing with this situation? Last birth I felt so bad because my "student" doula had to leave during the pushing phase of the birth; the client choose this and she had my hand in tight grip so I couldn't trade places with the student or I would have. At least there was a window and the student doula could peek into the room.

AmandaLow · 03-13-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rean Cross

The hospitals in my area tend to have very strict limits on the number of people a woman can have with her at her birth. Has anyone else dealt with this and gotten student doulas in?

Yeah, thanks to the SARS outbreak several years ago, Ontrair is very strict about only having 2 people allowed in at the birth. I have been allowed in as an additional person only once, after getting sign-off from the head of the obstetrics nursing staff and having the OB speak for me being there. The only reason it was permitted is because she is a double-leg amputee with only her right arm, and the staff seemed to recognize the need for extra assistance. The nurses don't seem to like it any more than we do, but the rules are there for a reason, I suppose. I am working with my local hospital to make a change, and started with a letter to the directors in regards to the benefits of doula support, and made sure to focus on the cost effectiveness of a reduction in interventions. This has lead to an awareness of the benefits of a doula, but so far, rules are rules.