Hi. I am at the very beginning of the process of trying to become a doula. I am interested in both birth and post-partum doula support. I have visited several websites, and I think I have a basic idea of the process. However, I am still a bit confused about the best way to go about beginning the training/study process to become a doula. I am in search of any information, guidance, or suggestions about what is the easiest (or best) way to jump into the the world of doulas.

I live in Queens, NY (NYC metro area), and I am aware that there is a substantial doula community here. However, I have not been able to find someone who is willing to break down the process more step by step or send me in the right direction--only: "go check out this website..."

I appreciate anything that will help me to get started.

Sincerely,

note: I think it is great that you have this website. Dyaise Lorie

-- Lorie Gumbs-Tyler (womanspiritrisin@aol.com), November 18, 2002

Answers

I am across the US, but sort of in the same boat as you. In my area, I found out that the doulas have support meetings. I just called up a local doula whose webpage I found and she told me who to contact for the doula meetings. My next step is going to be attending the meetings and finding a doula to work with - someone I can observe, shadow and back-up on her births (unpaid of course) so that I can learn from her until I feel comfortable attending births on my own. I am hoping that this is going to be relatively easy to find, because I don't have an abundance of friends asking me to attend their births, and the experience seems to be the hardest part of the whole path. Also, I have applied for a volunteer program at a hospital - you have to have done the first level of doula training, and then you can attend women in labor who have no money to pay a doula. I am SURE that in NYC you can find a volunteer program like that. Just start calling the hospitals and birth centers.

As for the doula training programs. Actually, some of the birth centers in my area that offer doula training then allow you to volunteer at their center if you've taken their training course. There may be something like this in your area. Aside from that, if you haven't yet researched on line, you will find more than you could ever want. Most doula training organizations have weekend seminars all over the US; you'll find their schedules and other details on the web. You want to take a doula training course and a childbirth education course, and get yourself to the library and start reading all the required books (see the DONA, CAPPA , ICEA websites for guidelines, depending on which one you want to be certified by) and try to find some women who will let you be their doula for free!

I don't know if i've told you anything you didn't already know, but maybe it will at least comfort you that you're not the only one who's bumbling around at the beginning! peace

good luck!

-- glinka (talismama@mac.com), November 20, 2002.

I live in NJ and would be willing to help you, as I have a lot of contacts in NYC. Thsi may be a bit late posting, but I figured i'd let you know anyhow. Feel free to e-mail me if you need further assistance, I could give you some names and numbers of doulas in your area. Good Luck!

-- ashley (ashley29@optonline.net), January 09, 2003.