If you want to work with women during labor but have no type of degree, there are still many jobs you can do. One of these jobs is to become a doula. Below is information about what a doula is, as well as tips on becoming one. You can then get started in this exciting career.
Doula
A doula is a person that is at the woman's side from when she is in labor until the baby is born. You will also often hear a doula referred to as a birth coach or a birth companion. As a doula, you will continually give the mother informational, emotional, and physical support to help the labor process go smoother. Along with helping the mother, you will also provide support to the family members. For example, you can answer questions family members may have about the birth process to help ease fears they may have.
There are also doulas that provide postpartum support. This means staying with the parents for a few weeks or months after the baby is born to continue to provide support. This could be emotional support for the mother, helping with baby care, or helping the mother learn to breastfeed. The doula can work with siblings that may be having problems with the birth of their new sibling, and they can even help the entire family adjust to the new addition to the family.
Become a Doula
If you would like to become a doula, you should have the proper training and certifications. You do not have to have these things, but you will have many more doors open for you if you are properly trained and certified.
To get the training you need, you can attend a seminar that will generally last two to three days. You should also have some type of experience with labor and delivery. For example, you should have at least witnessed a birth or assisted someone with birthing a child.
During your training, you will be taught different techniques that you can use while the woman is in labor. This could be knowing what positions the woman could lie in to help with pain or knowing what breathing exercises can help the woman feel more relaxed. You will also be taught about the birthing process in general so that you understand what is happening inside the woman's body while they are laboring.
There are doula program services that can help you become certified. You will likely have to spend a certain amount of hours in a training class, as well as take and pass an exam, in order to become certified.
Learning to become a doula can be a very rewarding career.
Share16 May 2019
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