15 years ago, when I first started in this work, I went to a conference from another organization about childbirth education. There was such a vast knowledge base there that was so far beyond what I knew as a newbie. I was enthralled all weekend. I thought, as time went on, that the high I …
There are many aspects to the job description of the postpartum doula. One of the greatest of these is the confidence and education we can give to a family. As you step through the door for the first time post birth, your job is to listen and observe. How are the parents coping with their …
As a doula, I use many skills. Each birth requires a unique ability to choose the combination of those skills that best fits this woman at this birth. One of the skills that maybe isn’t so obvious is my “eye for birth.” Using my eye for birth is a skill that has sharpened …
CAPPA Summary of “Safe Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Delivery” developed by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) Read the full document here. An integral part of the CAPPA mission is to support the right of families to make informed decisions about pregnancy, childbirth, the …
There are a few pieces of education that can prevent unnecessary supplementation of formula or unintentional weaning. One problem is that many people misinterpret baby behavior. A baby communicates various ways. He uses body language, head movements, hand gestures, and crying as forms of expression. The crying stage is usually what brings on …
I know the value of a doula in hospital, but I have to say that I really love a good homebirth gig! I am referencing homebirths attended by a legally recognized and skilled care provider, usually a midwife. Our presence at an intentionally unassisted birth is out of the CAPPA Labor Doula Scope of Practice …
As a postpartum doula, I meet all different kinds of families. Each family that has called a Postpartum Doula has invited them into their home as an extra set of loving hands and a brain to pick about what to expect from their newborn. In most cases, parents have read nearly a dozen books to prepare …
If you frequent labor doula forums and groups, this question comes up almost daily. Some common scenarios include: My client has been having contractions for about 2 hours every night but they stall out before morning. My client has been having sporadic contractions for the past 12 hours and they aren’t getting stronger or coming …
How Can I Help My Client “Get Labor Going”? Continue reading »
In your time of need… This is a note to your future self if you are just starting out or a reminder to those who have been giving of yourself for many, many years. Entering this work, I doubt any of us expected the sisterhood we would find. Maybe you come from a past employment history …
Doula Sisterhood: A World of Supportive Women Continue reading »
The question I hear most frequently from new doulas is “How do I get clients?” We want to do this work; we want to support and serve, AND earn an income for our families as well. But how does one get started doing a new thing? Everyone says network, network, network. But HOW? And what …
Market Your Doula Business: Too Shy to Network? Continue reading »