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It takes a lot of patience and self motivation. A person can serve as a Doula without becoming certified, or she can get certified as a Doula which gives her more credibility.
To become certified, the doula is required to read about 5 books and to take an approved Doula training course which is usually 3 days long, 8-9 hours a day. The doula is required to take a breastfeeding support class, attend three live births (only one of which can be a C-section); in addition, there are requirements such as the doula's support must begin at or before four centimeters dilation, the doula must get evaluations from at least three clients, and the client's midwife, or the client's doctor and nurse (so three from each birth for which the client employs an obstetrician, two for each birth for which the client uses a midwife). Writing several essays is required as well.
Everything must be documented on forms from the certifying organization, and the doula must be a member of that certifying organization. The most widely accepted organization is DONA. (Doulas of North America) International. It would be wise to check out their website for more information on, and complete requirements for, becoming a doula.
Once the doula has completed all requirements, and depending on the certifying organization, she will have credentials that she may use after her name. For example, a doula certified through DONA International uses the abbreviation CD(DONA) after her name. The doula may also become listed on the certifying organization's website so potential clients can find her.
Other than the classes, reading, and paperwork, it takes a lot of time, dedication & patience. You have to be a nurturing person who doesn't mind getting down in the muck of things and be willing to put out a lot of physical labor for a long period of time. Unlike a nurse, a doula does not get to leave at the end of a shift. You are there for the duration, as well as a few hours afterwards...the first birth that I attended I was present, awake, and alert with the mother and her partner for 27 hours straight with no food breaks and only 3 bathroom breaks.....so this is not something for the light-hearted nor is it for someone who easily gets bored.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoNo. You do not have to go to college to become a doula. There are several organizations, the first and largest being DONA International, who certify doulas. The certification requirements vary, but the only education required is a short seminar.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoDoulas are not required to hold college degrees, but there are several things you could study in college to improve your background. You might consider women's studies or psychology courses to understand the experiences of women, especially during the childbearing years. Some schools even offer courses about the culture of birth. Studying Massage Therapy or another form of alternative medicine might benefit your clients and increase your scope of practice. You could take business courses if you plan on working independently. If you plan to become a nurse-midwife, which some doulas do, you would have to complete an undergraduate degree in nursing and continue to graduate school for an MSN in nurse-midwifery.
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What is a doula?
Depending on the geographical area, Doula's charge from $200 per birth to $1000 per birth. Doula's are paid by the couple who decides to use the Doula as a support during the birth of their child. It has not been until recently that some health insurances have begun to see the value of a Doula's presence for their patients delivery. The presence of a doula decreases pain medication use, decreases the risk of medical complications, and provides many other benefits that decrease the risk of cesarean section and other complications during labor and delivery. Because of this, some insurance companies have started offering to reimburse pregnant patients for the Doula fee. To learn more about the benefits of having a doula for your birth visit http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/havingadoula.html
What has the author Doula Mouriki written?
Doula Mouriki has written: 'Studies in late Byzantine painting' -- subject(s): Byzantine Painting
Is jana courting?
No, I do not think Jana Duggar is courting yet. As for career plans, she would like to either become a midwife/doula or a harp teacher.
What is 5 letter word for midwife?
doula
What genre is the midwife's apprentice?
I think you are thinking of a doula.
What is a doula woman?
Doula woman is a non medical person who give support to a pregnant women before, during and after labor.. They provide physical assistance and emotional support.
Do you need a nursing degree to work as a doula?
Yes you will need an RN license to do that. You might try getting a CNa and acting as a doula helper instead if you don't have the time for the RN.
How much is the average fee for a Doula?
A doula's fee will depend on many things, and usually ranges from none to $1,000 (the most I've seen charge $300-600). Your location will largely determine how high the fee is. If the cost of living in your hometown is higher than average, then expect to pay upwards of $500 for a certified or experienced doula. The doula's experience and certification will be another significant factor in determining the fee, with experience bearing more weight than certification. The easiest way to find out how much you can expect to pay is to search for doulas near you and check out their websites; and if you don't get a good picture from that, pick a few from your search, and call them. You can get a free doula by searching for doulas that need births for their certification (usually a doula is required to attend three births with positive feedback). The best way to do this is to contact an organization that provides doula certification (DONA International, ALACE, etc.) and ask them for a list of doula trainees in your area.
What are the roles of a doula?
A doula is a person who assists a woman before, during or after she gives birth to a child. They do not have any medical role but they provide both physical and emotional support to the mother. They provide comfort and encouragement.
What are the ratings and certificates for Tia and Tamera - 2011 Doula Right Thing 2-16?
Tia and Tamera - 2011 Doula Right Thing 2-16 is rated/received certificates of: USA:TV-PG
What are the release dates for Tia and Tamera - 2011 Doula Right Thing 2-16?
Tia and Tamera - 2011 Doula Right Thing 2-16 was released on: USA: 20 November 2012
How much do doula make a year?
I can answer this question only partially, as I am only familiar with the work of self-employed doulas, not the ones employed by hospitals. This is a very difficult question to answer, as most freelance doulas have very unpredictable employment patterns. Depending on where the doula lives, and how experienced she is, she may be charging anywhere from $250-$1,000 per birth. This sounds like a lot, but keep in mind that she may only take clients with due dates more than one to two weeks apart to prevent the labors from overlapping(So, using numbers above, a doula can make anywhere from $6,000 to $48,000 a year pre-tax). She will also have to deal with clients canceling for varios reasons (there is usually a non-refundable deposit/fee of half the total payment). Another issue is the demand for doula services, which is not always steady. Many doulas go through professional drought seasons, where they have to rely on other sources of income. Such unpredictability is the reason many doulas also teach childbirth classes and doula training workshops, or work as post-partum as well as birth doulas. To sum up, being a self-employed doula is an unpredictable part-time job that requires as much time as a full-time job, and it won't make you rich. However, if you are passionate about birth, and are willing to learn, be creative and work very hard, being a doula can be a wonderful way to make a decent (in my understanding of the word) living.
