October 24th, 2011
Progressive Doula Workshop Series
After mentoring new Doulas for several years I noticed a large gap between what is learned in the initial training vs what is learned by trial and error. The intention is, by teaching newer doulas more advanced tricks of the trade in the beginning, they will be better prepared to help their clients.
I remember in the beginning feeling helpless in so many situations. If the birth didn’t go smoothly, I didn’t really know enough to help. I knew what a posterior baby was, but didn’t necessarily know what to do about it. I knew a few positions but nothing more than that. I felt like I had to learn so much through trial and error. I hadn’t yet really immersed myself in the birth community, so I didn’t really have the chance to talk with more seasoned doulas. Then even if I did get the chance to talk with them, I only knew the questions to ask after the “problem” had occurred.
My goal is to help balance out the learning curve some. To teach younger doulas how to avoid some of the most common pitfalls of being a support person, like not going too soon. It took me several 24+ hour births before I realized that I didn’t need to jump and go the second labor got going. I learned to qualify labor and the client, to find the best time to go. I learned that mama typically does much better in the beginning when she is not a “watched pot”. I also learned the hard way, that not every family is a match and just because they choose you doesn’t mean you have to choose them. I would leave an interview thinking “I hope they don’t want to hire me” and when they did, I didn’t say no. Inevitably the relationship didn’t develop as it would otherwise and I would kick myself for not listening to my intuition. I firmly believe that every woman who wants a doula should have one. It just doesn’t have to be me. I want to help new doulas learn to navigate this and help them avoid the challenges sooner than later.
It took me years before I knew all the little tricks to using the hospital bed for positioning. Or using the rebozo to help turn a baby or doing belly lifts. How to figure out if the baby is posterior and what to do about it. These are all things that can be shared and taught.
The most passionate subject of all for me is Cervical Scar Tissue. This is not something I learned in any Doula Training. It’s a serious issue in birth today and very few people are talking about it. Every doula should know about Cervical Scar Tissue and how it affects labor. My goal is that it will soon be included in their basic training course, but until then I will be diligent and passionate about it and spread the news the best I can.
The 6 class series starts November 3, 2011. Each class will be in the first two weeks of the month in November, December and January and last approximately 2 hours each. All classes will be recorded and available for download. I will offer the live series again starting in March 2012. The live online doula workshops are fully interactive. You have the opportunity to ask questions not only of me, but also other birth professionals that join the class. This provides each student with a great support system. Each class will cost $19.99 or you can purchase the entire series at a discount of $100.
The most important thing you can do for your client is to continue to be educated. I’m here to help.
