Sign up and receive 12 mths. Of mentoring FREE.
Training to become a birth doula has got to be the most rewarding career move you can make. There are many definitions of what a doula is, from the original Greek meaning ‘servant’ to provider of physical support in labour, to advocacy and many more.
THIS IS HOW IT IS AT BIRTH RIGHT 
Becoming a doula is so much more than providing information and physical support during labour and birthing.
It has NOT got anything to do with the relationship a woman has with her midwife or doctor caregiver that she has chosen to care for and look out for her and her baby – medically. This is their priority and responsibility.
It is the learning how to listen, how to sit back and ‘feel’ intuitively what this woman is hearing, seeing and feeling, and developing the skill to understand her emotionally. It is often being a mind-reader and connecting the dots of information and responses that you, the doula, are receiving.
It is learning about the hospital system and the homebirth system, the policies and procedures that govern the people who work in the system.
It is learning about how obstetricians think, how midwives think, how anaesthetists think and how you, the doula, can negotiate, on behalf of the woman, in a very respectful way, to ensure the woman has the respect for her birth wishes she deserves.
A lot of groundwork is done during meetings you will have with your pregnant client. You will develop knowledge about the role of various ‘other’ professionals who specialise in providing services for pregnant women, e.g. massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, yoga, hypnotherapy, counselling, as well as prenatal classes.
WHAT ABOUT DAD
It is very normal for a Dad to be uncomfortable, even intimidated by the idea of having a doula at their birth. Many Dad’s feel they can be in control and have the capabilities of using their negotiating skills and managing the birth. Some think a doula may ‘take over’ his role during labour and birthing. Some are aware that this is very much women’s business and with a midwife and a doula at the birth – what role will he have?
You will learn the importance of including Dad and making him feel comfortable and acknowledging he has very different concerns and even fears than his partner. The very important question is to make sure a couple have the discussion about what HE wants his role to be, for there are a surprising number of men who would prefer not to be at the birth. His role should never be assumed!
Our Birth Right training is focussed on the power of listening, understanding, negotiating and most of all just knowing how to create and hold a quiet and very ‘still’ space for birthing. This is indeed a special skill to know.
THE RELATIONSHIP IS UNIQUE
The relationship you develop with the couple, is unique. You are meeting with them in their home, you do not have a set of rigid policies and procedures to follow but simply understand the system and know how to negotiate. You get to know other members of their family, or at the very least, the relationship the woman has with key people in her life and how that can impact her birthing. You will learn about where her beliefs about birthing have come from and how this is influencing her decisions. Most of all you have TIME to listen, observe, acknowledge, create, refer and educate. The couple see you as their advocate and know that you are representing her wishes, without having to impose hospital policies. You know and understand her emotionally and spiritually. Dad’s feel safe, well supported, with options for the role they want to play during labour.
BIRTH RIGHT TRAINING OFFER
There are 2 theory modules to be completed online, prior to attendance at a face to face weekend workshop, and 2 trainee births. Our current offer includes 12 mths. Of free mentoring, when you sign up for Birth Doula Training.
Every woman deserves a doula!
