Waiting To Begin Training

teachinmamaof4 · 01-24-2006, 01:25 PM

I'm taking this doula thing slow for several reasons. But I'm starting to get SO impatient!!!!

And a tad bit jealous reading about other ladies who are breezing thru with their training.

I don't at all want to start certification now (and can't $$) aside from reading. Ok...well....maybe attend some births b/c I've never been to any other than my own.

Just needed to vent a bit about how impatient I am.

MothertheMother · 01-24-2006, 01:44 PM

It is funny you said that because "taking it slow" is exactly how I INTENDED to do this. Well, apparently that was not the plan I was to follow. I am a planner, first of all. And I had planned that (because my little ones are 4 and 2) that I would spend about 8 to 12 months reading everything I could read attending childbirth ed series etc and try to take the training the following year. I figured I wouldn't have to order my packet until I was ready for childbirth ed and that would leave me quite a bit of time to get my cert births and when baby boy is about 4 we would all be ready for me to be more active as a doula. Well, that is not what is happening. About 3 weeks after I decided this is what I want to do I saw a training that I could not pass up. It was close to home, about half the price of the others I had seen and it started the day after my husband started leave (Army). So here I am, 4 months later, I have completed all of the requirments but the births and my first client is due Feb 14. It all happens when it is supposed to happen so just go with the flow!!! lol

susan1 · 01-24-2006, 02:05 PM

I know what you mean ...in a way ...I already took my training just need my births now. There was a training near me so I jump in and took it and now I am like why did I not wait until my kids were older.

I want to take it slow because I have little ones. However then I am like I want clients now. Oh, well!

Susan

teachinmamaof4 · 01-24-2006, 03:28 PM

Christy ~ If I had the financial means, I *might* go a bit faster.

Quote:

I want to take it slow because I have little ones. However then I am like I want clients now.

Exactly!

Need2read · 01-25-2006, 09:51 AM

I think essentially there is a plan for us all. Something will fall right into your lap. (that is provided you do *some* of the work, hehe!) I just mean that whether you end up staying on your course and moving along at a gradual pace rather than jumping in it'll be good for you. I know for me that my plan was to read all of the books before I started anything. (I still have a stack of books, I am working PT at a daycare, I am in school full time and I almost have all of my cert births lined up!) Oh, did I mention that I am still trying to get my life in general, as well as my life as a Doula organized.

Give yourself permission to take it slow, I think that moving to quickly can be exhausting. And I don't even have children, so just add that to the mix! I am glad that I am where I am...and I know that I am a lot calmer now that I am "just going for it" but it takes a lot out of me and some days I only see my fiance for a few hours. That alone is hard for us, I couldn't imagine the same situation with children.

You are going to be amazing. *I see you around the boards!* =D

I also know how financially going through cert can be tough. We paid for a training in december and that was a hard month. We are paying for PPD Training this month w/o paying car insurance (one of those pay 4m and get 2m off) and we're still strapped financially. I just figure that every month there is money going somewhere I really don't need it to. Unnecessary shopping, going out to eat when there is food at home type of thing. Try to be concious of little things and maybe put 10-20 dollars from paychecks (from your husbands check, heheh? Not sure if you're working w/ an infant.) The little bits add up and before you know it you'll be so up to your ears in clients you won't know what to do!

Tiffany · 01-25-2006, 10:29 AM

I remember feeling this way when I first started out. It was sort of an overnight discovery for me. When I found out about doulas, I immediately seeked a training course, which happened to be DONA, about 6 weeks later. Then, I put myself on the volunteer list and got my first client from a prenatal fair a month later. I didn't think it would all happen so fast, but I am a very impatient person.

Anyways, good luck ladies. Forget being patient, just go for it.

teachinmamaof4 · 01-25-2006, 11:41 AM

Cortney ~ From these boards or another?

Thanks! It's nice to know I'm not the only impatient one and that when you're finally able to get stuff done, it just all falls into place!

Need2read · 01-25-2006, 10:21 PM

heh. Yeah, I mean these boards. I have read threads in which you posted on them. Goodluck to you, you'll get there in time whether you dip your toes or do a cannonball into your doula work.

scarborogal · 01-31-2006, 04:22 PM

Right now, I'm doing the reading and I'm taking the course in July. And I really want to take it slow too because I have three little ones (the last is 18mths) and I'm also a little nervous. I know I'll feel better once I take the course but right now I feel like I'm in Limbo! I guess we'll all just take it slow together!

Cheers,
K.

Luv2bemommy · 01-31-2006, 04:28 PM

I know how you all feel.. I have been thinking about this since my first dd was born in 2000!! I kept tossing it to the side and a few months ago I decided it was time I do something I love. Once I checked into it there was no stopping me.. Tax $$ is heaven sent!! If it wasnt for that we wouldnt be able to afford it either.. I had planned on waiting until April for my workshop but since I found that there was one even closer to me next month, I hurried and paid my $$ and jumped on it!! I knew if I didnt I would wait around and nothing would get done.. Now I am SO excieted I can barely stand it..

I'll stop rambling now..

teachinmamaof4 · 01-31-2006, 04:43 PM

Kim ~ It's nice to know there's someone else also taking it slow.

Candice ~ And you have a client already!!

That's so great!!

Kellie_mo4 · 11-08-2006, 02:13 AM

So I was talking with Matt tonight (DH) and, while he's all for me pursuing my doula wish, he said we won't have the $$ for the training for a few more months (and I'll admit, it's because we just dropped some $$ on a gym and personal training for me

) , so I'm sad. It's odd that I'm sad, though, because having an EBF baby (4 mos) and he will be for at least a few more months (EX, that is.. will be bfing til he decides to stop), so it's not like I could start attending births right away, but I really want to get all that info that comes with the "official" training... and I know that CAPPA offers scholorships, but you have to be a member there, and it's not a guarantee...

So... Does anyone have any book recommendations or anything that I can do to begin this all and furthur my education while I wait? I'm just so dang eager!

LOL

Luv2bemommy · 11-08-2006, 02:20 AM

Well, whatever organization you are going through, I recommend you go ahead and pick up those books from that list.. The doula advantage is a good book to read as a beginner. I love Ina May's books also!

Kellie_mo4 · 11-08-2006, 02:29 AM

Thanks! I don't know why I didn't think of doing that... I am a full believer in the thinking that the mother loses brain cells through breastmilk and amniotic fluid... all the cells I'm losing seem to be memory and simple thinking (lately I've been making things more difficult than they actually are.. fun, eh? lol) ah, anyways, thanks again!

AussieDoula · 11-08-2006, 02:40 AM

My best advice would be for you to go online to take a look at every Doula organisation's reading list. Find the most common recommended books and begin with those.

If they have a curriculum listed (or can email you an outline), compare what is covered with each training and begin self-learning through online resources and library books (if your local library doesn't carry what you need, ask about inter-library loans).
Best of luck!