Wondering if being a Doula is for me/ Where to volunteer

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I recently just learned about Doula's. I am very interested but have no experience in the matter. My backgound studies deal with fashion and I have no children of my own. I have read up on Doula's and am wondering if becoming a Doula would be for me. I live in NYC at the moment and was wondering if anyone knew somewhere I could volunteer to learn more about myself and decide if being a Doula is right for me. Any information or advice would be very beneficial. Any ideas on where I can volunteer would be great. Thanks, Lynette

-- Lynette Cerezo (lynetc5@aol.com), March 05, 2004

Answers

Try a local Teen Preg center. They may have clients that need a Birth Attendent during their births. Also try the College Hospitals some have volunteer Doula programs which train you in a short 2 day seminar on what to do and what not to do. A Doula is a heart career. It sounds as though you have heart and that makes you a Doula already. Just look at cappa's site http://www.cappa.net or Dona's site http://www.dona.com to find out more. Cappa has an At Home program as well so you wouldn't even need to travel if that is a problem for you. Join or Start a Doula Group. This is a group where aspiring or active doulas share and learn from each other.

Hope this helps

-- Sara Duggan (mommie_care@yahoo.com), March 07, 2004.


I, too have been considering becoming a Doula. I have no children of my own unfortunately but was in a birthing room with a friend of mine. I was so overwhelmed by what the nurses and Doula's did for the new mother, I decided that I would love to contribute to this wonderful miracle of life. I have been having some difficulty in finding hospitals in my area that have such a program, but am willing to keep on looking. Good luck in your search! Pat Huber

-- Pat Huber (phuber15@comcast.net), March 09, 2004.

www.CAPPA.net trains and certifies antepartum, labor, and postpartum doulas. They offer scholarships to their members, and have distance training as well.

One thing you can try is a mentor program. Contact childbirth educators, midwifes, and doulas in your area and ask if they have a mentoring program. If they do you may qulify and be able to attend some classes and births for training.

-Mcihelle

-- Michelle Schnaars (michelleschnaars.1@juno.com), May 28, 2004.


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