Hello, I am a second year nursing student in Omaha, Neb. I want to specialize in labor and delivery, it is my passion. I was curious if there would be any way to put me in contact with a Doula in my area that might be willing to let me shadow her. I want to be Doula certified after graduating and would love the early experience. Thanks!

-- HATTER aLBERTSON (halber7597@aol.com), June 03, 1999

Answers

Contact the organizations that certify doulas and ask for the name of a doula in your area. The organizations are listed in other e-mails on this forum. When you get the names of those doulas see if they would be willing to let you work with them to learn. They should be pleased to have you- it is wonderful to know that there will be two doulas to fill a mom or couples needs. Of course, it is very important for you to meet the mom/couple before the birth and get their permission to be at the birth also. This is the most difficult part since most want their birth to be the most intimate experience possible. While a doula (or doulas) shouldn't prevent this since we really do try to be invisible it can be perceived as interference.

I would be thrilled if lots of Labor and Delivery nurses started out working with doulas. Working as a doula makes you see the normality of birth and the uniqueness of every woman. What a wonderful thing to know before you start studying all the things that can go wrong!

Good luck in finding someone to shadow! Kirsten

-- Kirsten Gerrish (kirsten@doula.net), June 04, 1999.