I a SAHM of two children, a daughter that is 4 yrs old and a son that is 1 yr old.

Ever since the birth of my daughter, I have been fasinated with pregnancy, birth, & children. I love being pregnant, being around pregnant women, listening to everyones stories about their pregnancies, births and the first weeks after delivery.

I would love to become a Birth Doula, but with two small children, the time demands would be to much (be called at 2 a.m. does not set well with a 1 year old). So I would like to start as a post-partum doula but do not know how to go about it, and would appreciate any suggestions.

Also is there such a thing as a pregnancy doula? Someone to help expecting moms with moral support during their pregnancy, setting up the nursery, preparing siblings for the arrival of new baby etc....

Thank you for you help.

Sue

-- Sue (nicmat@worldnet.att.net), June 16, 2001

Answers

Hi Sue!

Actually there are no hard and fast rules about doulas. Everyone has their own idea of what a doula is. I totally understand your need for something a little more scheduled. I would suggest becoming somewhat of a consultant. You can offer individual or group childbirth lessons, offer continuous support during hours you are able to fit in, offer postpartum visits, educate women on finding and utilizing resources such as how to find journal articles and using the local library and interlibrary loan services. You can even offer childproofing services.

Go to www.americandoulanetwork.com and check out the programs offered. They have some of the lowest cost programs for both birth and postpartum doula programs and even offer a module on childproofing. I am going to go through that program myself when I get a chance so that I can offer it as a seperate service. You also get total business support and lots of free business supplies including documents, brochures, flyers, business cards, website and email.

ADN is also having a summer special right now of 20% off and a gift certificate so check it out.

You can email me if you have any questions or would just like to talk about a doula business.

Good luck!

Tricia L Saxbury, CD (AmDN) babysteps@americandoulanetwork.com Baby Steps Birthing Solutions http://www.americandoulanetwork.com/babysteps Membership Coordinator, American Doula Network http://www.americandoulanetwork.com

-- Tricia Saxbury (babysteps@americandoulanetwork.com), July 01, 2001.