Public Speaking as a Doula

Tashina Marker · 02-08-2006, 11:55 PM

Hello Ladies,
I was wondering how you go about public speaking? Where do you go to get started? What do you speak on? Where do you get your info? I am one of those people that am fearful of public speaking,but out of desperation & a great love & passion for birth I am considering the idea.I don't have the confidence to do such a thing,but any information ,suggestions,ideas,tips etc.... would be much appreciated. I would like to here your

worth.

Stacie · 02-09-2006, 11:34 AM

Every year we have a community baby shower. I have spoken on the topics of "Getting started with breastfeeding," and "10 tips for an easier labor."

Hints? Fake it 'til you make it. Act like you are perfectly comfortable

.

Tiffany · 02-09-2006, 11:49 AM

There was a time when I loved public speaking. In highschool, I won a first place award speaking in a community center for the school, on an essay about volunteering. I used to thrive on that stuff.

Since having kids, I think my brain has changed. Does anyone else feel that way? I literally feel like I've lost so much. I feel like I need the element of critical thinking back in my life, which is why I really hope to get the opportunity to go back to school. Anyways, I think now if I tried public speaking, I'd probably make a fool of myself.

Luv2bemommy · 02-09-2006, 01:06 PM

I am scared to death of public speaking.. I would love to become a CBE one day and I know public speaking is apart of it and that scares me... I am very shy and not happy about my looks and I know that has a lot to do with it..

Thats wonderful you can get up there and speak in public! One day I hope to be able to do the same!

Stacie · 02-09-2006, 02:51 PM

I have been doing it all my life, starting in church as a child. I really love it. I was on the speech team in high school, too. The more you do it, the more you loosen up, I think. I still get nervous beforehand, but I really love it

.

gemasita · 02-10-2006, 04:41 PM

Candice - I am the same way. I have a terrible fear of public speaking (terrible!) and here I am aspiring to be a childbirth educator! When it comes to childbirth though, I am not as scared because I LOVE talking about childbirth. And I can start small...talking in other SMALL CB classes about doulas....and hopefully my own classes will start out sorta small and in my home.

DL · 02-10-2006, 07:10 PM

Ok....I'm kind of a strange one! (but, you all already knew that!)

Public speaking (i.e. speeches, behind a podium) in front of a lot of people scares me, and I avoid it. BUT.....talking to a small group of people (CBE class) about a subject that I almost certainly know more about than the majority of the students...that, I can do!

I've very recently started the process of working for my Lamaze CBE certification. My fear is not teaching expectant mommas & their partners. My fear is PEER TEACHING and teaching in front of my mentor!!!!

At those times, I will be teaching those who are at the same level of knowledge or above where I am. Now, that thought is terrifying to me.

I reckon it's just one of those things that I'm gonna have to push myself through!

MothertheMother · 02-10-2006, 08:21 PM

Dont feel so alone because I feel EXACTLY the same way. I am not nearly as nervous if I think I know more than everyone else in the room!!

I am so nervous about the peer teaching etc as well. But I guess if we can get through that part we will be better speakers for it in other situations! Luckily for me I am the queen of denial so I like to pretend that I actually wont be nervous but then I am in front of other people and my voice is shaky, my hands get clammy and I talk faster than an auctioneer! Yeah, I have work to do! I guess one of the things that appeals to me about PfB is they teach you how to teach instead of just what to teach! I am expecting miracles from them!

moncton doula · 02-10-2006, 08:36 PM

How about dry mouth and shaky legs? I also tell myself i'n not nervouse but I really am!!! I try to bring a bottle of water or have gum in my mouth...a little rude but a necessary evil.

MothertheMother · 02-10-2006, 08:42 PM

I don't think you can tell from the picture but I have braces right now. No gum and dry mouth is so much harder to disguise!!! lol

scarborogal · 02-10-2006, 09:16 PM

I agree with Lori, I'm okay with a small group on a subject I know well and have a passion for, but for speeches in front of a lot of people. Forget it. I used to stutter when I was younger and have been humiliated publicly from it so my fear is pretty genuine. I don't stutter now at all but the fear of humiliation or rejection is still there.

K.

DL · 02-10-2006, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MothertheMother

Yeah, I have work to do! I guess one of the things that appeals to me about PfB is they teach you how to teach instead of just what to teach! I am expecting miracles from them!

Oh my goodness.....me too!...lots and lots of work to do, and expecting miracles from PfB!!! I knew that this would be a challenge for me, but decided to be brave and just DO IT!

I'm sure that we're not the first ones to feel this way, and it's probably more common than not, I bet. We educate our doula clients, so we can do this!!

I'm gonna cling to my quote below!

DL · 02-10-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MothertheMother

I don't think you can tell from the picture but I have braces right now. No gum and dry mouth is so much harder to disguise!!! lol

Nope....From your photo, I can't tell that you have braces!

My mil just had her braces taken off; she is soooo thrilled with her new smile. She was 60 when she got them. I was so proud of her for doing something that she had always wanted. I just love to see her smile!

DL · 02-10-2006, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tashina Marker

Hello Ladies,
I was wondering how you go about public speaking? Where do you go to get started? What do you speak on? Where do you get your info? I am one of those people that am fearful of public speaking,but out of desperation & a great love & passion for birth I am considering the idea.I don't have the confidence to do such a thing,but any information ,suggestions,ideas,tips etc.... would be much appreciated. I would like to here your

worth.

All of your questions are good ones. As you can tell from my above posts, I don't go about public speaking yet!

I'd love to be able to answer your questions, but I'm probably pretty close to how you're feeling about it. From the looks of it, a lot of us doulas here share the fear of public speaking (except for Stacie....who sounds like a natural...lucky her!

). I think that for some of us, the longer that we are doulas and as we gain even more experience with educating our clients....then maybe the thought of public speaking will become easier. I would say that we would need to know the topic(s) inside and out first so that the information will flow seemingly effortlessly!

Tashina Marker · 02-11-2006, 12:00 AM

Ok I have 2 questions.

1. Where do I go to give speaches?Another words what places do I go to to get started? Hospitals? Anywhere else?

2. Who do I contact within that place to set it up.

3. I don't have any former CBE I am just a book reader.So what topics do you discuss or cover?

4. How long are the speaches?

5. Do you charge are volunteer? If you charge how much? For me I don't mind volunteering because I figure I will recieve business from the speaches.which is payment enough,I love getting the birthing news out.Ok maybe I have a probelm with charging too.

Ok maybe it wasn't just 2 ?????,lol ,but thanks for any in put.