Doula Apprenticeship/Mentoring

cali4niachef · 01-22-2010, 02:40 PM

Did you have a doula apprenticeship/mentoring? How long did it last? Did you find it helpful? What sort of things did your doula mentor cover?

If you did not have an apprenticeship would you have liked one?

Those who do mentor other doulas how do you do it?

I'm just thinking if midwives have appenticeships, why don't doulas?

Thanks!

chloe2326 · 01-22-2010, 02:53 PM

Hi Cindy -

I actually did have a doula mentor (still ongoing albeit not in a hands-on way). It was built into the training. The midwife/doula who I took my doula training with let me shadow a couple of births with her (not normally included) and has been a constant resource for me since then. Whenever I feel like I've hit a wall whether with a client or with a business, I know I can call M. and she'll help me through it. Now most of our conversations center around the business end of things, but she's still available if questions arise with a client as well.

In terms of what did we cover - it was very free-form, and student led. M. let me observe her with her clients and answered any questions that arose there. There were breastfeeding troubles with my first client and she helped me through those as well - giving me resources, pointers, and helping me feel more secure in myself. I think most first time doulas are a wee bit nervous! She really helped with that. As I try to get a practice off the ground, she's been very helpful in brainstorming marketing ideas, places to look for clients, and other nuts and bolts business things that perhaps I wouldn't have thought of on my own.

Probably my experience is a little less formal than an apprenticeship but M has definitely mentored me through the first years of doula-dom. She's the bestest.

I would love to take on aspiring doulas as I get more secure in my own practice. Its such a wonderful service and career! The more the merrier!!

cali4niachef · 01-23-2010, 07:22 PM

Only 1 reply and 6 votes?

amymaew · 01-23-2010, 08:14 PM

I didn't have a mentor, but I have called my mw if I've had a question about something at a birth for her 2 cents. I've helped a few doulas get started and while I don't have them shadow me, I do tell them to call me at any time they need advice - before a birth, during, after to decompress, whatever. I had one call me at 2am once for advice.

1stimestar · 01-23-2010, 08:38 PM

We had another really good thread on this. I regularly am a mentor when we have new doulas in town whom I click with and who share similar philosophies.

1stimestar · 01-23-2010, 08:50 PM

Here, this was a good discussion.
Being paid to shadow?

You know we have a Doula Trainers and Mentors forum?
http://www.alldoulas.com/forums/doula-trainers-mentors/

cali4niachef · 01-25-2010, 12:43 AM

Yes I went to the subforum and there weren't a lot of posts there. I checked out the thread you had posted but its about being paid to shadow. I wanted to know how many doulas had a mentor/apprenticeship, I'm not concerned if they were paid. But I specifically wanted to post this poll in the general forum. Thanks though!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stimestar

Here, this was a good discussion.
Being paid to shadow?

You know we have a Doula Trainers and Mentors forum?
http://www.alldoulas.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=137

amylou · 01-25-2010, 09:09 AM

I met with a local doula who is very supportive and I willing to mentor - but that doesn't mean shadowing - just a gentle ear and resource. I think most Doulas are like that - if we make the effort to find them, they are nurturing by nature!

golden pregnancy · 01-25-2010, 12:18 PM

I had a mentor. I mey her at my first doula training. She was there to become certified. She is a L&D nurse of (at that time) 16 years and birthed her children at home. I think one was unassisted if I remeber right. Our first birth together was a VBAC! She would present me as the other doula who works with her to pamper the mom at no extra cost. Her time with me was very special and I will always cherish it.
I have no back up in my area. The closest I can find is over an hour away. I would love to mentor somebody.

doulafava · 01-25-2010, 09:44 PM

I had/have a doula mentor. She was a friend of a friend. I shadowed her for a couple births and have picked her brain countless times. I totally treasure her, and would not be where I am today without her. One very neat thing is that I may have to opportunity to mentor her on *her* journey toward midwifery. How cool is that?

I think mentors are invaluable for new doulas. Who else is going to talk you down from that ledge the first time you have a disastrous, unnecessary c-section cascade of awful interventions birth? My mentor has been priceless in terms of helping me keep perspective, getting me to raise my prices and helping me stay involved in our local birth community and many many other things. Alldoulas is great and all, but a local mentor is wonderful.

J, if you read this, I love you!