May is International Doula Month!

I know it is half way through the month but I still wanted to do something to celebrate International Doula Month! If you are new to doulas and have NO idea what they are, or if you'd like to know more about them you can visit my website that has more information and links. I thought that it might also be helpful to post some information about how to find a doula near you and how to become a doula if you think that might be something you are interested in. I've also included pictures of doulas in action (which I swiped from google) to help you get an idea of some of things doula do.

How to find a doula:

If you live in Utah:

• Utah Doula Association has information about how to find a doula in your county. If you live in the bigger cities, like SLC, Orem, Provo, St. George, then there are TONS of doulas to choose from. Some of the other counties don't have as many options, but there are always doulas who are willing to travel if you don't mind paying them a bit extra for gas.
• My website. If you don't live too far away, I'd love to be your doula!
• Some doctors and midwives have doulas that they work with regularly, you might want to ask your care provider if they can recommend anyone.
  

The Rest of the US:

• DONA (Doulas of North America) is the largest Doula certifying organization in the world and has a list of all the doulas who are certified through them. You can search it here to try to find a doula near you.
  
• There are doulas in almost every city in the United States and most states have a doula organization. Try googling doula and your state name and see what comes up.
  
• Some midwives and doctors have doulas that they regularly work with, ask your care provider if they can recommend any doulas in your area.
  

Outside of the US:

• Lots of European countries have huge doula organizations. In fact, in some European countries the government health system pays for doula care as a routine part of maternity services. In the Netherlands the government pays for every woman to have a birth doula and a post-partum doula ( a doula who comes to your house to do your dishes, watch your kids, help you with the baby, make meals, etc...) for two weeks after the baby is born! So chances are that if you are living in Europe your doula options are great.

If price is a concern you can always try finding a new doula who is working on getting certified or who is just starting out. Often newer doulas will taken clients for reduced prices so that they can get experience. You can contact DONA and they will send you a list of all the certifying doulas in your area, or you can ask other doulas in your area-- usually they have an idea of who is new and who is more experienced. Also, doulas will often accept trades for other services, like photography, massage, computer work, house work, etc... Most doulas aren't in it for the money, they just love what they what they do and want women to have good experiences. But it is important that couples know that what a doula does is important and is worth something. Besides, anyway you look at it doulas are always going to be cheaper than epidurals!

For those who want to become a doula:

If you've thought you might like to be a doula you should! It really doesn't take that much time, it is a pretty flexible job (you decided when you want to take clients-- granted you can't determine when they go into labor), and it helps to improve the quality of care and birth experience that pregnant women receive. You don't have to be certified to be a doula, there are lots of women who choose not to get certified because of cost or other personal reasons. But being certified does make you more professional and it is important to some clients. If you decide that you want to get certified then there are several different options:

• Doulas of North America (DONA). This is the largest, oldest and most recognized doula organization. They do have the most requirements, but after going through all of them you are very well prepared to be a successful doula.
  
• Association of Labor and Childbirth Educators (ALACE)
• International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
• Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA)
  

Whether or not you want to get certified it is always a good idea to attend a doula training workshop. These usually last for 2 days, all day, and cost about $200. The woman I took my doula training class from was wonderful, here is her website that has more information about when her trainings are. I also just found out that there will be a CAPPA training offered in Ogden, Utah from July 30th and August 1st. The cost is $325 and you can contact Desirre Andrews at desirre@prepforbirth.com for more information about it or look at her website.

It is really my hope that in the very near future doulas are seen as an ESSENTIAL part of any pregnant couples birth plan. Having the support of a doula really make all the difference in the type and quality of birth experience a woman has. I've heard it said by a health professional that doulas are the best the BEST thing to happen to birth in the last 50 years. Which is sort of ironic because the idea of a doula is ancient, and it is really only in the last 100 years that women have lost the support of a trained "woman's servant" (which is what doula means in Greek) to help them through childbirth. So YIPPEE for doulas and I wish you all a very happy International Doula Month!