Working for a Doula Service VS by yourself

I have been looking to get certified through DONA and CAPPA< I've currently read the books, and signed up for one class through CAPPA. I just found out that in my state there is a Doula Service that certifies their own doulas, they don't have to be certified through CAPPA or DONA or anyother place for that matter.

I was wonderiing, before I go seek out this place, what are the benefits, and downfalls of working for a service vs the benefits and downfalls of working on you own?

[Jilian]

I don't know very much about it, but from what I've heard when you work for a doula service they get a % (or flat rate) cut of each birth you attend. But most of them do all the advertising, and you usually get more clients because of that.

Many doulas never bother to get certified. I'm not sure I'll get certified. The benefit of getting certified, is you get credentials you can put after your name, some people think it looks more professional, and most certification sites offer free advertising for their doulas.

There is a hospital in my area that has made a new rule that they will only allow certified doulas to attend births at their hospital (as doulas). If your not certified you have to attend as a "support person" and they will not fill out a review for you. I guess they have certified doulas sign a paper adhering them to their organization's code of conduct.

[motherstouchdoula]

Well, when I 1st decited to be certified there was a workshop(which I took) hosted by a CNM she is wanting to build a store front- have Doulas, PPD, IBCLC, mama and baby classes, CBE classes Etc.. you get the picture - Great Idea we so need something like that out here. the idea was that all of us taking the class would sign a "no compete" contract (5 years) with her and ONLY work for her, we were only able to take one FREE/Low Income client a year and she only wants the benz moms (That is what I call them, ya know the moms that will pay 1K to 2K for services, and drive hummers, benz etc..)
My problem is, I am not in this business to take only 1 type of client, I have 2 right now that if I worked for this CNM I wouldn't be able to have them as clients, they are low income and couldn't afford to pay 500.00 let alone 1K.
I just belive that there should be a doula for every mom that wants one. (Ya'll ever heard that before..LOL)

So, after talking to this CNM, I told her I was going to try and make it on my own and if I couldn't make it out there in the big world I would sign with her and to give me till Jan 07 (when her building would be done). Since, our convo, I haven't heard a word from her, I have called, emailed a few time with no reply.

SO IMO, it isn't a bad thing to work with a group- just watch out for thoes contracts..they can be tricky and if you have any doubt don't sign anything!!!