Are there any postpartum doulas here whose brains I could pick?

[Needleroozer]

I am considering this career move right now, but before I make the call to start the training, I would love to have a conversation with someone doing this. I am not interested in becoming a pregnancy- birth doula, but very interested in postpartum doula care combined with my nanny care for babies birth to 6 months or so.

 

I would love to hear how you deal with the business part of this, how scheduling your time works, what you love/don't love about the job. Not sure of what other questions to ask.

 

Thanks,

LB

[Needleroozer]

bump

[fshinkevich]

If you feel comfortable enough to share your email address with me, I can pass it along to my sister, she is a doula and I'm sure would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

[dirty ethel rackham]

Same here - I am friends with several post partum doulas. Feel free to pm me with contact info and I can put you in touch with them.

[Needleroozer]

Thanks ladies, I PMed you both.

[unsinkable]

I started a postpartum doula business about 12 years ago.

 

I got certified through ICEA. Not sure if they still do this. I was also a certified infant massage instructor.

 

It was NON-medical care. I "mothered the mother." I ran errands, cooked meals, did laundry, light housekeeping(which I defined as anything you'd do on a daily basis, nothing heavy like scrubbing floors), took care of the baby while mom slept. I gave infant massage lessons. I had a doll while mom massaged her baby.

 

I charge $15 with a minimum contract of 15 hours. I don't know what I'd charge now. I had a contract and a questionaire that I'd have the mom fill out.

 

I stopped because my DH moved from second shift to days and I got pregnant with my third.

 

I absolutely LOVED it.

 

If you have any other questions, just ask.

[Heather in OK]

You might try the Alldoulas.com and mothering.com forums. Alldoulas should have several PP Doulas who could answer your questions. Mothering has a forum specifically for birth professionals so you might get some answers there as well.

 

One thing to consider if you are already doing nanny care, you will need the freedom from the nanny work to be able to work as a doula. Even though you will have some idea when client's babies are arriving, you won't always have exact dates. So those families you are nanny for will have to find someone else to work for them during the time you are tending to new Mamas.

 

I also wouldn't consider it a career right away. If there aren't many PP Doulas in your area, once your name and reputation for great care gets out you could be quite busy!! But doula work in general isn't something one can live off of to support a family.

 

Do you have a certifying organization picked out yet? Each organization has their required reading lists online. Once you decide that (personally, I'd recommend Childbirth International since I've heard great things about them and they offer lifetime certification) or even just while you are still considering the profession, you can start on the reading. That way when you do register and start working on requirements, you have the reading portion out of the way.

[Needleroozer]

I started a postpartum doula business about 12 years ago.

 

I got certified through ICEA. Not sure if they still do this. I was also a certified infant massage instructor.

 

It was NON-medical care. I "mothered the mother." I ran errands, cooked meals, did laundry, light housekeeping(which I defined as anything you'd do on a daily basis, nothing heavy like scrubbing floors), took care of the baby while mom slept. I gave infant massage lessons. I had a doll while mom massaged her baby.

 

I charge $15 with a minimum contract of 15 hours. I don't know what I'd charge now. I had a contract and a questionaire that I'd have the mom fill out.

 

I stopped because my DH moved from second shift to days and I got pregnant with my third.

 

I absolutely LOVED it.

 

If you have any other questions, just ask.

 

Thanks! The woman I talked to said rates now were $23 to $50 an hour in our area, with minimum 8 hours.

 

How much time did you spend on record keeping- that's the one thing I am fretting about- everything else is right up my alley.

[Needleroozer]

You might try the Alldoulas.com and mothering.com forums. Alldoulas should have several PP Doulas who could answer your questions. Mothering has a forum specifically for birth professionals so you might get some answers there as well.

 

One thing to consider if you are already doing nanny care, you will need the freedom from the nanny work to be able to work as a doula. Even though you will have some idea when client's babies are arriving, you won't always have exact dates. So those families you are nanny for will have to find someone else to work for them during the time you are tending to new Mamas.

 

I also wouldn't consider it a career right away. If there aren't many PP Doulas in your area, once your name and reputation for great care gets out you could be quite busy!! But doula work in general isn't something one can live off of to support a family.

 

Do you have a certifying organization picked out yet? Each organization has their required reading lists online. Once you decide that (personally, I'd recommend Childbirth International since I've heard great things about them and they offer lifetime certification) or even just while you are still considering the profession, you can start on the reading. That way when you do register and start working on requirements, you have the reading portion out of the way.

 

 

 

 

 

Quoting the woman who sent me info on local doula training and orgs:

"The Northwest Association for Post-Partum Support (NAPS) is THE important organization in the Northwest for you to be certified with because being listed by them will get you jobs. Before you train with anyone get their packet to be sure it is within their guidelines. "

and

"The two largest certifying organizations that offer Post Partum Doula training are:

 

Doulas of North America

http://dona.org/

 

The Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association

http://www.cappa.net/ "

 

I haven't contacted them yet, but have started collecting titles from DONA to start reading.

 

As for the nannying, all of my current jobs (nannying or not) end this June, so I would like to be able to be doing the doula work by then. My friend said she could get me recs for families now without my even being certified.

 

THe nanny part is this- most doulas work with newborns to 3 months- I would also like to work with them till about 5 or 6 months- offering fill in part time work (usually between mom's maternity leave and daycares that don't take babies till 5 or 6 months).

 

Thanks for those forum recs- will check those out.

 

My Dude is working full time, so this is in conjunction with his salary. From what I hear, I can work the same amount of time per month that I am now, but make 2 to 3 times what I make as a respite caregiver, and be able to form relationships, and be with babies again. I miss those two things.

[Needleroozer]

You might try the Alldoulas.com and mothering.com forums. Alldoulas should have several PP Doulas who could answer your questions.

 

Thanks, Heather! Alldoulas.com has sections on their forums for new and wanna be doulas. Perfect!

[unsinkable]

Thanks! The woman I talked to said rates now were $23 to $50 an hour in our area, with minimum 8 hours.

 

How much time did you spend on record keeping- that's the one thing I am fretting about- everything else is right up my alley.

 

Buffalo is pretty depressed economically so it wouldn't surprise me if you get more per hour somewhere else.

 

I didn't do much recordkeeping. I didn't have many expenses.

 

Women would call for info & I'd send them my contract & questionaire. I sent out info & talked to more people than I worked for. It was a new idea around here. Most of the women who hired me were from somewhere else and my rates seemed reasonable to them. Women around here wanted to pay me babysitter rates ($5/hour.)

 

I kept track of my mileage. I wrote down the time I arrived & left. I wrote in a private log little notes about what the mom & baby were like.

 

Hmmm...there really wasn't much record keeping...

 

HTH

 

If you have any more questions, let me know.

[Heather in OK]

Quoting the woman who sent me info on local doula training and orgs:

"The Northwest Association for Post-Partum Support (NAPS) is THE important organization in the Northwest for you to be certified with because being listed by them will get you jobs. Before you train with anyone get their packet to be sure it is within their guidelines. "

and

"The two largest certifying organizations that offer Post Partum Doula training are:

 

Doulas of North America

http://dona.org/

 

The Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association

http://www.cappa.net/ "

 

I haven't contacted them yet, but have started collecting titles from DONA to start reading.

 

As for the nannying, all of my current jobs (nannying or not) end this June, so I would like to be able to be doing the doula work by then. My friend said she could get me recs for families now without my even being certified.

 

THe nanny part is this- most doulas work with newborns to 3 months- I would also like to work with them till about 5 or 6 months- offering fill in part time work (usually between mom's maternity leave and daycares that don't take babies till 5 or 6 months).

 

Thanks for those forum recs- will check those out.

 

My Dude is working full time, so this is in conjunction with his salary. From what I hear, I can work the same amount of time per month that I am now, but make 2 to 3 times what I make as a respite caregiver, and be able to form relationships, and be with babies again. I miss those two things.

 

I'm not familiar with NAPS but DONA and CAPPA aren't the only two who certify. They may be the largest (and I wouldn't recommend CAPPA) but they aren't the only ones.

 

So if you fill in part-time work, will you be able to take new clients? Or will you just clear your schedule for 5-6 months for a few clients and then take new clients after that?

 

Yeah, if there is a demand for what you offer, you may make that much $. But birth work isn't really something many people do to depend on bringing in a lot of income. Trust me. I've been a birth doula, I am a childbirth educator and midwife. I teach two sets of classes and take 3-4 clients a month. I'm not rolling in $. ;) Not trying to discourage you. It's just that I see a lot of ladies new to birth work and they think they'll make a good bit of money. It's just not always the case.

 

Another thing to think about is adding lactation consultant certification. That could be something you can do separate from doula work (in-home consultation but also teaching breastfeeding classes) but also be a benefit to it.

 

sent out info & talked to more people than I worked for.

Ditto.

[dirty ethel rackham]

 

Another thing to think about is adding lactation consultant certification. That could be something you can do separate from doula work (in-home consultation but also teaching breastfeeding classes) but also be a benefit to it.

 

:iagree:. I would not consider someone adequately prepared for post partum doula work who did not have extensive experience and training in lactation.

[Needleroozer]

I'm not familiar with NAPS but DONA and CAPPA aren't the only two who certify. They may be the largest (and I wouldn't recommend CAPPA) but they aren't the only ones.

 

So if you fill in part-time work, will you be able to take new clients? Or will you just clear your schedule for 5-6 months for a few clients and then take new clients after that?

 

Yeah, if there is a demand for what you offer, you may make that much $. But birth work isn't really something many people do to depend on bringing in a lot of income. Trust me. I've been a birth doula, I am a childbirth educator and midwife. I teach two sets of classes and take 3-4 clients a month. I'm not rolling in $. ;) Not trying to discourage you. It's just that I see a lot of ladies new to birth work and they think they'll make a good bit of money. It's just not always the case.

 

Another thing to think about is adding lactation consultant certification. That could be something you can do separate from doula work (in-home consultation but also teaching breastfeeding classes) but also be a benefit to it.

 

 

 

Thanks for all the info.

 

What is it about CAPPA that you would not recommend?

 

About the money.... it is less about trying to make it on this income alone- the Dude is working too.... this is more about making a fair wage for the work that I do. As an experienced respite caregiver for special needs folks, I am making the same amount per hour that 16 yr old babysitters get for taking care of 1 healthy 4 yr old. It is back-breaking, emotional work, and it is just too much for me with not enough financial rewards (heart-wise, it is rewarding, but I am finding it to not be enough to continue at this pay rate).

 

There are two levels of lactation consultant here.... I will at least do the minimum, but if I get certified at the higher level (which I probably will do after the doula training), I can do that too, yes. That is the plan at the moment.

 

Thanks again for taking the time to talk with me about this! It has helped a great deal.

[Needleroozer]

:iagree:. I would not consider someone adequately prepared for post partum doula work who did not have extensive experience and training in lactation.

 

:iagree: Yep. From what I can gather so far, there is extensive training in lactation- two levels of certification for this area- don't know more than that yet, but I will get as much training in this as possible.

[AFwife Claire]

I am also curious about why you wouldn't recommend CAPPA. I am just starting to look into becoming a labor doula, and I have looked at several websites (DONA, CAPPA, CBI, BAI) but am having a hard time sorting through it all as to why one is better than another! So thanks for any other info you can share!

[Needleroozer]

I am also curious about why you wouldn't recommend CAPPA. I am just starting to look into becoming a labor doula, and I have looked at several websites (DONA, CAPPA, CBI, BAI) but am having a hard time sorting through it all as to why one is better than another! So thanks for any other info you can share!

 

Yes. If you have other positive reccomendations, I would love to hear them. I am calling NAPS today- there are only two training orgs listed that they will accept (CAPPA and NONA). I would love to know other options.

[Needleroozer]

Update on training....

Looks like I will be using Seattle Midwifery for training. It is very comprehensive, and looks to be a great way to make contacts as well.

Now to raise the $600. before the class starts on the 15th of April, sigh. The next class offered after that isn't till July.

Edited March 17, 2010 by Needleroozer
spelling typo

[Heather in OK]

It is back-breaking, emotional work, and it is just too much for me with not enough financial rewards (heart-wise, it is rewarding, but I am finding it to not be enough to continue at this pay rate).

Sounds like labor doula and midwifery work. LOL!!!

 

There are two levels of lactation consultant here.... I will at least do the minimum, but if I get certified at the higher level (which I probably will do after the doula training), I can do that too, yes. That is the plan at the moment.

Sounds like a good plan! Even with the minimum and if you have personal experience, that's a great start. Then you can mention on your website and in information that you plan on pursuing the higher level (IBCLC?).

 

Regarding CAPPA, I just wasn't happy with the training. At. All. It was a waste of my time and money. Everything I learned there (which wasn't much on top of what I already knew) could have been taught by my friend and now midwifery partner via hands-on learning.

 

I had to travel to TX in order to do it. Which in itself was fine and a lot of fun (met up with some friends down there)! I thought the training was done poorly, other attendees weren't prepared which took up A LOT of time for those of us who were (i.e. asking questions that they should have known the answer to had they done the pre-workshop reading), we weren't AT ALL trained on the business end of being a doula or CBE (other CAPPA trainings have, I think and I know DONA does), etc.

 

Even though I was listed on their website as CBE, I never got referrals from it. Perhaps now that some time has passed they are a little more known and prospective students/clients are looking there. Word of mouth really is the best advertisement!

 

But...that was my experience with one trainer. Perhaps the trainers in your area are much better at what they do. I would ask at Mothering.com in either the Tribal Area or Birth Professionals if anyone in your area has done a CAPPA or DONA training. And ask other doulas in your area what their experience was. You may find it to be beneficial and the right choice for you. It just wasn't the case for me.

 

If I were to do it all over again (and I probably will for my CBE)and didn't have to pick a specific organization , I would, hands-down, go with CBI. I think it's an excellent choice for those who can self-study and who have someone they can mentor with.

 

 

Looks like I will be using Seattle Midwifery for training.

Now I'm jealous. That's an awesome opportunity!!!

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

Spam reported. But I do wonder what LB is up to these days! :D

[Jean in Newcastle]

Spam reported. But I do wonder what LB is up to these days! :D

 

She is working as a doula and nanny.

[Chris in VA]

She is working as a doula and nanny.

 

:D:D:D:D

SuperLIKEY!!!