Working with Other Doula!

Little Blessings · 08-08-2006, 07:36 PM

I am curious as to how other Doula's feel working with other Doula's.

Let's just say you are certified with DONA and another Doula approaches you to be say a back up doula and she is certified with CAPPA...or perhaps she is not even certified but has lots of experience...does this pose a problem with you? If so why?

Would this affect your relationship? Even if you knew that she was a wonderful doula and had the same "values as you have?"

I am not trying to start any conflict...I personally have no problem with it myself...just wonder if others would because of the different certifications??? Just curious...

erad76 · 08-08-2006, 07:49 PM

I would have no problem working with another doula based on her credentials. We're all in this together.

I've seen plenty of people who have certifications from diffrerent organizations. DONA birth doula, CAPPA post partum, etc. People go to different schools for undergrad and grad, why not this?

And like higher ed, I think there are plenty of people who haven't gone through the formal training that I would trust more than some who have.

MothertheMother · 08-08-2006, 08:18 PM

I would base my decision completely on their personality and my perception of their professionalism. I think all of the certifying agencies offer great things.

AmandaB · 08-08-2006, 08:32 PM

My 2 cents, is that you do have to have matching philosophies. As in I meet clients where they are (i don't limit my practice), so I don't think I could work with someone who is solely focused on homebirthing. You should also do your homework about the person you might be working with, because people may paint you with the same the brush, especially if she has unfortunally garnered the "Big Bad Doula" rep. Just an observation. I have seemed to fallen in with most DONA Doulas and I believe it is what fate has offered. *Shrug*

DL · 08-08-2006, 08:35 PM

I have personal doula friends that are trained and/or certified through different organizations (CAPPA, DONA, and ALACE), and I wouldn't have a problem with working with any of them. I look at the person's personality, her work ethics (is she trust-worthy and committed?), her professionalism, and see if our birth philosophies are compatible.

We may have sent our money to a different group, but we are all on the same team, IMO.

MindOverLaborDoulas · 08-08-2006, 08:37 PM

hehe.. do I really need to answer?!

Sarah had no experience (I had 4 years) and she had planned to attend the same training that I did. It is working out great for us. It's true, where she is weak- I am strong and vice versa. We totally compliment each other! I hope that you can find the same in your Doula partnership!
We are even taking turns getting our cert births by alternating each client so that someone doesn't get all 3 and then the other would have to start getting her's.

tlcdoula · 08-08-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Blessings

I am curious as to how other Doula's feel working with other Doula's.

Let's just say you are certified with DONA and another Doula approaches you to be say a back up doula and she is certified with CAPPA...or perhaps she is not even certified but has lots of experience...does this pose a problem with you? If so why?

Would this affect your relationship? Even if you knew that she was a wonderful doula and had the same "values as you have?"

I am not trying to start any conflict...I personally have no problem with it myself...just wonder if others would because of the different certifications??? Just curious...

No problems for me. I think what matters more is whether she has the same philosophy of birth that I have and whether she would represent me well if she got called in for me.

jesscardona · 08-08-2006, 09:06 PM

I wouldn't have no problem either... it's just like here, we're all from different organizations, groups, some are certified some aren't and we're here to help each other out!

RosyDoula · 08-08-2006, 10:13 PM

Credentials don't always promise competence, but neither does not having them mean the person will not have it either. It'd be sorta arrogant to say because you've been certified for a year you are superior to a woman who'd been doing it for 20 years! One organization isn't better than another, its the heart that matters.

Kalamazoo Doula · 08-09-2006, 01:08 AM

I totally agree with all you ladies! Well put! I think it just comes down to if you are able to work with each other, and have similiar views and goals. It does help to have some differences too. Spice of life? I have two back ups, one is working on her certification, and the other (my main back up) is certified with ICEA.