I'm excited and nervous! - Doula training!

Pambug · 01-09-2006, 01:10 PM

My doula training is this weekend. I'm so excited to be spending a weekend with people who aren't going to look at me like I'm crazy for my opinions on birth but I'm also nervous. What if I don't fit in? Also, my training is in Maine which is a 5-6 hour drive up Rt 95 for me. I've never driven myself that far before or stayed overnight in a hotel by myself either. I'm sure everything will be fine but I have butterflies anyway.

fearlessbirth · 01-09-2006, 01:15 PM

Aww, Pambug!!! My thoughts and good energy are with you! I have my training in 4 weeks and am so nervous myself! My sweetie has requested the weekend off so we can ride together and stay with a friend of her's for free! If NOT, then I'll be doing it all alone....the ride, the hotel. Yuck! So, I feel ya, but know that it will all be ok.

Have SO much fun with all those doulas...I can't WAIT!

neworleansdoula · 01-09-2006, 01:17 PM

Pam,

I just did my doula training a few months ago with the executive director of CAPPA. I was really nervous too, but once you get there, you'll find that everyone else is nervous as well!

It's a very nice, comforting feeling to be around other doulas in training. You get SO much out of the peer support!!! Share your ideas and opinions about birth and you'll gain incredible feedback.

Good luck and let us know how it goes?!

fearlessbirth · 01-09-2006, 01:44 PM

I LOVE your website!

DL · 01-09-2006, 02:29 PM

You'll love your training! Nervousness is understandable, but everyone else is in the same boat as you. Once you get there, you'll know that you're where you belong!

About traveling alone....it's usually not as bad as you may think; you might find that you like it!!! IMO, 5-6 hours isn't bad at all, but I can understand your nervousness if this is your first time doing so. All of my family lives anywhere between 8 and 16 hours away from me. Many times, dh cannot get time off of work to see them...so I don't let that stop me....I just GO! I've been driving that far on my own (or with the two boys) since my oldest was a year old. Having AAA and a cell phone gives me peace of mind. Last fall, I drove from Ohio to GA to pick up my mil to bring her back to my house for a visit. I LOVED the peace and solitude of the 10 hr. drive down all alone.

I truly look forward to doing it again sometime. Don't take me wrong...I LOVE it when dh can go with me, but I'm a big girl and quite capable, and choose to make the best of it whenever he can't come along.

Some tips:
1. Have Roadside aid *just in case* (i.e. AAA)

2. Have Cell phone and KEEP IT CHARGED

3. Have dh (or other capable person) check out your vehicle (oil check, tire inflation, etc.) before your trip.

4. DO NOT stop at Rest Areas alone after dark!...Instead, opt for a very public and busy restaurant (i.e. McDonalds).

5. Keep hotel doors locked....Get room that has inside entrance (not a MOTEL where you park just outside the door).

6. Keep car doors locked when parked looking at map, etc.

7. Play loud music and sing to keep yourself awake.

8. Enjoy long soaks in the hotel tub

without little ones banging on the door!

9. Eat what you want

, watch what you want on TV

, etc. without having to worry about what anyone else wants or thinks!

10. HAVE FUN!!!! ENJOY the time with YOURSELF!!!

DL · 01-09-2006, 02:33 PM

Sorry, but I wanted to quickly ask......

Just curious: Was your trainer Tracy or Donna? Mine was Tracy, and I just loved her!!!

I attended my Labor Doula training in Lawrenceville GA in June 2003.

neworleansdoula · 01-09-2006, 06:47 PM

Lori,

I had Donna. She was also fabulous - so soft spoken. I took mine in Lafayette, LA in November 2005. I originally started as a distance labor doula student and just attended the training because she was so close. It was a great event!

neworleansdoula · 01-09-2006, 06:55 PM

Thanks fearless! It has taken a lot of time since I'm not a website guru! LOL. And, I'm still no where near done.

Pambug · 01-12-2006, 09:06 PM

Well, I'm off to go pack my bag. I'll let you all know how it went when I get back on Monday.

Tiffany · 01-12-2006, 09:07 PM

Woohoo Pam!! Good luck!!

DL · 01-12-2006, 09:41 PM

Have a safe trip, enjoy yourself, and HAVE FUN!!!!

We'll be looking forward to your update of how it went!

fearlessbirth · 01-13-2006, 09:44 AM

HAVE FUN, PAM! I know you'll have a FANTASTIC time!

kelley piasecki · 01-13-2006, 11:04 AM

Have a great time Pam!! We'll be thinking of you this weekend!!

heathenmamaof5 · 01-15-2006, 02:38 PM

I want to ditto everything in Lori's post!

That's exactly how I feel! My hubby is a long haul truck driver.

I've been all over without him. Let's see... I went to Maui with my parents when Kelsey was 4 and Charlie was 2. I went to Disneyland and the LLL conference in LA in 96.

Met William and Martha Sears and had tea with 6 of the 7 founding moms! I've been to N. Carolina and Washington state. Ummmm, I won't go to Hawaii again without him. It was too hard seeing all the golf courses and knowing he was working.

I'm sure I'm missing some places. I've been to numerous workshops and conferences over the years. I've even stayed in rooms with other Doula's, Leader's, CBE's, that I'd never met before!

It's an adventure!

Jill