Just a thought...

[fearlessbirth]

So here's my 6 month plan...lol

We are moving to a new city in December and I REALLY don't want to have to work other than doula/birth stuff. I will be certified with DONA by then and hopefully will be a CAPPA trained/certified ppdoula.

I know that most of my income will probably come from pp work since it is easier to schedule, rely on, etc. (or so I am thinking)...

My partner and I were just discussing this and she is really always anxious to help out whenever she can (and we were talking about taking CPR/First Aid together since I need it for pp training) and has lots of experience working with children (specifically special-needs kids). We were thinking it would awesome if I could do pp doula work and she could be my referral for other childcare...since that's not really up my alley (I mean, it is..I used to be a preschool teacher, but it's not my job..doula'ing is my job ) What do you think of that? Would that be weird? Should the two not mix?

Then she said something about 'yeah I could pick the kids up from school if mom needed, run errands, etc'. I said I didn't think driving anyone anywhere would be a good idea b/c as a doula I wouldn't do that. She compared it to the babysitting/nanny jobs she does now and said she drives them everywhere and it's not a problem. I don't have any type of liability insurance. So my thinking is if she were doing it 'on her own' she may not be at risk..but really, aren't we all at risk from crazy people who want to sue if something should happen no matter where we are or what we are doing?

Anyway, just wanted some feedback...do you think that sounds like a weird idea or does it totally make sense?

[tlcdoula]

If you are combined then you would be just as liable as she is, and she better check with her car insurance to see if she is covered. Most insurance companies will not cover you if you are driving anyone anywhere and making money or something from it.

Other than the driving around issue it might work.

[fearlessbirth]

Yeah, I'm thinking to just leave the driving out of it. I've worked to hard for what I have as it is and don't want someone taking it from me. Lol

[tlcdoula]

Without the driving part I think it is something that might be workable and doable. Of course, it really depends on the demand in the area. Do most of the clients in the area you will be offering this in hire postpartum doulas for subsequent pregnancies? Might be something good to investigate.

[fearlessbirth]

Good point. I'm not really sure. It wouldn't be something she'd (Shandi) would do as a sole source of income...just a side thing so it wouldn't really matter if there was a huge demand or not. I'm excited to see how things work out there b/c when I searched for doulas in Gainesville I got nada....and when I asked our local midwife (who went to midwifery school there) she referred me to the only doula she knew. BUT this doula is a birth asst also so I don't know WHO'S doin' all the doula-in' in that town. Lol

[Amydoula]

I am happy to run errands for clients and to ride with them if I am comfortable or drive my own car behind them if I'm not but I NEVER drive them or their children anywhere. It is just too much of a risk.