Do you have a niche?

teachinmamaof4 · 01-09-2006, 04:44 PM

What is it??

I am fluent in Sign Language so I'm hoping to be able to doula for deaf/hearing impaired clients.

fearlessbirth · 01-09-2006, 05:02 PM

I do want to learn sign language and eventually learn MORE Spanish (like labor and delivery vocab.) so that I can take on hearing impaired and Spanish-speaking Mamas.

Lyndsey · 01-09-2006, 05:32 PM

I'm hoping to learn Spanish since we're in an area that speaking Spanish is a MUST, so I know that I'll be able to take on more clients if I can learn.

neworleansdoula · 01-09-2006, 06:44 PM

Fearless,

That would be a great thing! That would be a great class for you to teach or add to your doula services....the most common phrases/words used in labor delivery.....

Pambug · 01-09-2006, 07:33 PM

I wish I had a niche, but I don't. Maybe down the rode I'll learn a second language but right now I don't have the time. Sign language must be a great tool to know.

raspberrymoondoula · 01-09-2006, 09:25 PM

Yo hablo espanol. i also do emotional freedom technique and am a lay reflexologist.

DL · 01-09-2006, 09:54 PM

Ok....I don't know if these are considered "niches" or not

, but I'll give this a try. I am a Christian, and although I have many clients that have not been Christians....I do get some clients simply because they definitely want a Christian doula. Is that a niche?

Here's another possibility (although kinda' sad

): What brought me into this adventure of being a labor doula was supporting my sister & her dh with their stillbirth (32 wks gest., 2 day labor after finding out baby had died). Although it would still be very hard, I KNOW that I could support another couple through a stillbirth (expected or unexpected) both physically and emotionally. I make it known to Midwives, Nurses, and OBs in the area that I would be willing to come in 'at the drop-of-a-hat', if I'm not with another client, in order to support a stillbirth whenever the need arises (that would be for free). I cringe at the thought of experiencing it all over again, but my heart goes out to them so strongly. I figure I should use that experience to help others in the future if at all possible.

That's all I can think of....

kelley piasecki · 01-10-2006, 09:57 AM

[i]Here's another possibility (although kinda' sad ): What brought me into this adventure of being a labor doula was supporting my sister & her dh with their stillbirth (32 wks gest., 2 day labor after finding out baby had died). Although it would still be very hard, I KNOW that I could support another couple through a stillbirth (expected or unexpected) both physically and emotionally. I make it known to Midwives, Nurses, and OBs in the area that I would be willing to come in 'at the drop-of-a-hat', if I'm not with another client, in order to support a stillbirth whenever the need arises (that would be for free). I cringe at the thought of experiencing it all over again, but my heart goes out to them so strongly. I figure I should use that experience to help others in the future if at all possible.[/I]

Lori, I am so sorry you had to go through this with your sister....I know it must have been very hard. I was going to post something like that too, but I wasn't sure if that was considered a niche or not. But I have the somewhat same experience with losing an infant at 3 days old (in the hospital), and knowing at birth that she had a 50/50 chance of survival. I'll be able to know exactly what the parents are going through, what they are feeling emotionally, and I'll be able just to say that "I understand". No, we shouldn't have had this experience, but maybe there is an underlying reason for it.

We are here to help others if they need it in that situation. Ok......I'm rambling and probably sound really stupid.

kelley piasecki · 01-10-2006, 09:58 AM

Ok.....so I thought I figured out the "quote" thing, but I guess I haven't.

Anyone want to PM me and help me out??

Thanks!

kelley piasecki · 01-10-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelley piasecki

Ok.....so I thought I figured out the "quote" thing, but I guess I haven't.

Anyone want to PM me and help me out??

Thanks!

Just trying my quote abilities.....sorry!!

Thanks so much for your help Lori!!!

Hey it worked!!!!

DL · 01-10-2006, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelley piasecki

Just trying my quote abilities.....sorry!!

Thanks so much for your help Lori!!!

Hey it worked!!!!

Yes it did! Good job!

Oh....you're welcome!

Now....back to the 'regularly scheduled program'.......

Tiffany · 01-10-2006, 03:02 PM

I don't have a niche per say, but I did take 5 years of spanish from 8th grade to senior year in highschool. It has faded away alot due to lack of usage. However I have helped two clients who were only spanish speaking, it was a lot of fun!

Great topic Heather!

fearlessbirth · 01-11-2006, 12:30 PM

I think anything you have experience with that may be important to a mom is a 'niche'. Like stillbirth, a certain religion, culture, homebirths, waterbirths, etc. While you may not incorporate those things into ALL of your clients, someone may want that special something only you have to offer.