Interested in Doula Training?

You might be interested in doula training if you have an interest in helping women through the emotional rollercoaster of child birth, especially if you have fond memories of your own experience.

Being a doula isn't necessarily a lucrative, steady job (doulas earn anywhere from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per birth), but helping women through the childbirth process can be rewarding work.

Doula trainers say that in order to be a successful doula, you should be:

• The "touchy feely" type.  Hugging, touching, soothing and even just holding the hand of the mother is important to your role as trusted companion.
• Assertive enough to be an advocate for the mother when dealing with doctors and medical professionals, but not be pushy, overbearing and counter-productive.
• Willing to have a flexible schedule. Mothers go into labor at any and all times and as doula, you need to be ready and willing to drop everything and assist.
• In good health. A doula's role in the birth process is too important to call in sick because you have the sniffles.

Doula Training Programs
Some doula training is general and covers all aspects, from prenatal care and labor, through postpartum.

There are more specific doula training programs that offer instruction and certification in:

• Prenatal care
• Childbirth
• Postpartum
• Breastfeeding
• Childbirth educator and doula advanced training

Some specialized methods of childbirth, such as hypnosis childbirth, home births and water births, have their own doula training programs to offer the mother help during her chosen birth method.

Doula training programs are offered all over the world. If you're interested in doula training, look for classes and certification opportunities through your local hospital or obstetrician's office.

Search the Internet for doula training offered in your local area or check www.doula.com for local training.

Some hospitals offer their own doula training and hire doulas to assist young mothers, first-time moms, and low-income families. Check with your local hospital about opportunities for training and working as a doula there.

Online Doula Training
Doula training is offered online and usually includes coursework, online testing, and instructional book reading requirements.

Most online doula training courses can be done at whatever pace is best for the student.  There is almost always some practical experience required locally.