How common is shadowing?

avlgerhard · 06-10-2010, 04:51 PM

Hi Ladies. I was just wondering if it is very common that an experienced doula allows a new doula (such as myself

) to shadow them. I would love to be able to do that. I am doing my training this month, and where i am i had a few connections that were helping me get started. HOWEVER, my husband and i just decided to accept a position which will move us to the East Bay Area in northern California. I am really excited to begin my doula journey, but am nervous that i will stall out now that i am moving and know no one......Any suggestions/tips/advice?

Thanks
Ashley

MaryWolfe · 06-10-2010, 06:18 PM

Maybe you could wait and take your training in the new location. You'd meet doulas in the area and maybe make more connections.

avlgerhard · 06-10-2010, 06:41 PM

I thought of that too..... but I already paid my deposit...?

Comfy · 06-10-2010, 06:46 PM

This is one thing I wanted when I was a new doula, but I quickly learned that it doesn't really happen very often <sigh>

AnthroDoula · 06-11-2010, 03:24 PM

I shadowed!

I made a list of doulas in my area (websites, databases, etc) and started cold-calling them. Finally someone answered me and said "sure!"

She took me to a prenatal for a client, a birth and postpartum visit for another. She had to ask each client if they'd be ok with a student doula present, so I had to wait until the opportunity arose. Had some trouble with her remembering to call me to come to a couple births, but it finally worked out. She helped me join the local area doula listserv and meet-ups and I met a lot of great doulas and learned a lot from them.

Best of luck!

DoulaMegz · 06-11-2010, 05:10 PM

I shadowed!

I was connected with the doula through the org I immediately joined (non-profit program) following my training. She offered a private client a reduced fee for having a student doula, and the other was just one of the non-profit moms who liked the idea of having two doulas. They both went into labor the same day and I ended up flying solo with the one mom while the other doula was with the other (she arrived when "my" mom was 8cm, and boy was I glad). I was able to do prenatal and postpartum visits with both families, and I actually was with the one mom for a short while during her labor.

cali4niachef · 06-16-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avlgerhard

Hi Ladies. I was just wondering if it is very common that an experienced doula allows a new doula (such as myself

) to shadow them. I would love to be able to do that. I am doing my training this month, and where i am i had a few connections that were helping me get started. HOWEVER, my husband and i just decided to accept a position which will move us to the East Bay Area in northern California. I am really excited to begin my doula journey, but am nervous that i will stall out now that i am moving and know no one......Any suggestions/tips/advice?

Thanks
Ashley

I was raised in the East Bay...you are so lucky there are plenty of doulas out there!

I'm so jealous!!!!

cali4niachef · 06-16-2010, 02:54 PM

I did not have anyone to shadow. The nearest doula was over an hour away. I really wish I was so fortunate. I will most definitely allow doulas in training to shadow me.

Student midwives are required to have an apprenticeship - why not doulas?

avlgerhard · 06-16-2010, 06:58 PM

I really hope i can find one to shadow, i will have to look into it. But from a lot of what im hearing many doulas do not allow new doulas to shadow, for one reason or another. Bummer.
I am very excited about my move to the East Bay area but a little nervous too. I have never even been there before LOL

MamaBearCare · 07-10-2010, 01:52 AM

I am still fairly new at being certified but somehow I ended up meeting 2 new doulas in about a week. One walked into a class at a local maternity and baby store, and the other contacted me through my website. The second one had her daughter the exact way a potential new client wanted (minus the OP part) and with the knowledge that wasn't going to be in the state around her exact due date, asked for me to bring the new doula along. The doula is soaking up knowledge and starting to feel comfortable about adding to the conversation or making additional suggestions and the client is very comfortable with her. Shadowing doesn't happen often but this time it was a tripple play! Now I just have to hope the client doesn't deliver until I get back because I'd like to be there too!!!

1stimestar · 07-10-2010, 05:21 AM

Check out our Mentoring forum in my links below. We've had many conversation about this on the list and I'll tell you about my experience.

I don't let doulas shadow me until after their training. I've had too many women call and ask to shadow because they thought being a doula would be cool but then couldn't garuntee they had good childcare or their husband had "the car" or they didn't want to "do it tonight" etc. So now I don't waste my time until they have put forth their own effort first. Then I have to find a client who is willing to allow one more person into their birth space. This is the tricky part. More people = not as good and most of my clients realize that. I could offer them a discount but this is my livelihood and I rely on that money as does my family. Perhaps I could discount the client $100 off my fee and then require the apprentice to pay me that fee but most of the time new doulas are broke and couldn't afford that on top of all the other start up expenses they have. I require them to go to all prenatals with me, go on call when I do, attend the birth and PP meeting just like they will be doing when they are on their own. They don't sit in the corner and watch at the birth but do get to get in there and get their feet wet. It might not be the most glamorous parts but getting ice and water for both parents, wash clothes, blankets, warming up the rice packs, etc. are important. I keep them busy when possible. The apprentices I have had, I really enjoyed. They also come in handy when needing a back up. I LIKE having apprentices as I really enjoy helping them to become good doulas. The fewer bad doulas we have in this town, the better. This way they can see how I do prenatals, how I interact with the other careproviders, how I interact with dads and grandmas, etc.

sunshine · 07-10-2010, 08:49 AM

i've been asked a few times and have said no mostly. i had a doula shadow a birth a few years back and she thought it had a negative impact on my relationship with the clients. the birth was hard, and they had us both leave for several hours, during which time labor got harder, she got an epidural and relied heavily on a nurse for support (which was awesome). we didn't go back in until she was pushing. it ended up being a pretty triumphant birth, but that's the one and only time i've been asked to leave. i just chalked it up to "that's what the clients wanted" but my doula friend (who is an awesome doula btw, and i believe did a wonderful job at this birth) brought it up that she didn't think they would have asked only me to leave if she hadn't been there. anyway, this caused me to reassess the idea of shadowing. i said yes enthusiastically when she brought it up because she needed it for DONA and was at her deadline with no prospects. she's a good friend and i wanted to help.

at my last birth, an apprentice doula was there, at the request of the clients. we know each other well and i think she's wonderful. it was her first birth and the clients asked me if it was ok with me if she was there too. i said sure, of course. and it turned out awesome. this mama wanted a ton of hands-on and emotional support from many people. it was a perfect fit. she's so happy with her birth and with everyone there.

i think there are complicated reasons why an experienced doula might say no, and i hope newer doulas understand that. for this particular doula, if it's the right couple, i think i will be fine with having her there. other doulas, if i don't know them super well and feel like it's a good fit w/ client, i'll probably still say no.

AngieDoula · 07-21-2010, 12:02 AM

Ashley - Where in the east bay? I use to live out there and know a couple of doulas out yonder. Both are really nice - like unusually nice - and I know one for sure does shadowing every now and again. The other, not so sure but seemed to always be in need of a back up - really, really busy!

WildDoula · 08-17-2010, 04:07 AM

I've asked to shadow a few doulas in my area and most have either not contacted me back or have said that the only way I will learn is to just jump in. I feel it would be nice to have someone more experienced there to learn from, but I do understand the idea of the mom not liking a bunch of "extra" people there.