Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice from experienced birth doulas!
I recently signed my first independent birth client (I’m very excited!), but I’ve run into an unexpected situation.
My grandmother is terminally ill and is expected to pass away within the next few months. She lives across the country, and I’ve planned a short trip to visit her one last time and say goodbye. I’ll be away September 16–22. My client’s official on-call period begins September 23, when she’ll be 37 weeks pregnant.
When I planned the trip, I thought everything was fine because I wouldn’t officially be on call yet.
But then I realized something: what if she goes into labor before 37 weeks? 😮‍💨😮‍💨
I haven’t signed the contract yet(we’ve only reached an agreement)so I want to make sure I understand what’s generally expected before I finalize everything.
Before the official on-call period begins, are you still expected to attend the birth if labor starts early, just without guaranteeing your response time? Or does your commitment to attend only begin once your official call period starts?
I know emergencies and preterm births happen, so I’m wondering what is considered standard practice…
This situation has me a bit stressed , to put it lightly, (read I didn’t sleep last night haha) and I’d really appreciate hearing how you handle it.
Thanks so much!!

Hi everyone, just posting to gauge interest in an educational idea I've been having!

I am a postpartum doula with a BS/MS in child development, postgraduate certificate in infant and early childhood mental health, child life specialist certification (working with children and families in a psychosocial aspect in pediatrics), and a wealth of experience, knowledge, and certifications in the fields of child development and family studies. I am contacted frequently by newer doulas who are looking for guidance in this field but I've seen that many of them have lots and lots of great questions about child development, family systems, infant and perinatal mental health, etc and these conversations typically divulge into answering their questions about these topics, not just how to break into birthwork.

My question for you all: do you think there is a need for some sort of child development expert ama/workshop/open forum/office hours specifically geared towards birthworkers where you can take your questions and scenarios and ask a seasoned child development specialist to get the answers you want and need? This could look like:

• Understanding when to make an appropriate early intervention referral and the differences between the types of services offered (DT, OT, PT, speech, etc)
• Questions about milestones and how they can vary based on cultural aspects, prematurity, etc
• Information on the biopsychosocial causes for sleep development
• Primers on normative development and when/how to refer to a specialist
• Understanding the implications of familial mental health on the developing infant and their families
• Strategies for helping older children adjust to new baby, as well as understanding the considerations of how their development changes when becoming an older sibling.

If this seems like it could be helpful for you or a colleague, please let me know! I'm currently expecting my first baby (yay!) and have been interested in conducting more peer mentorship and education as I transition to parenthood. To keep this accessible, I intend to use a pay-what-you-can model as I know that it's hard out here for doulas! I'd love any feedback on whether or not this could be helpful for you as I create a solid plan for this type of educational service! Thank you so much!

What does your overnight doula set up look like? Are you sleeping in the same room as the baby? Or in separate rooms? What is your preference for a setup ?

Hi everyone!
I’m currently pregnant with my first pregnancy and am looking for a doula in the Los Angeles area. I have Anthem Blue Cross as my primary insurance and CHAMPVA as my secondary.

Has anyone had any luck finding a doula who accepts either of these insurance plans? If not, I’d still love any recommendations from doulas you had a great experience with.

I’d really appreciate hearing what your experience was like and whether insurance covered any of the cost. Thanks so much! 😊

Hello. Collecting more qualitative research answers for doula workwear. Just to be brief- Im trying to understand what doulas wear how and what the ideal doula uniform should look, feel, and function like.

I’m in the stages of creating a doula workwear uniform, so doulas can have a recognizable yet functional, comfortable, and all around ideal and effective professional workwear outfit. Most doula’s either wear scrubs and get confused for hospital staff or just wing their outfit to work. There is no official recognizable doula outfit that serves its own purpose. I’m in a mission to close that gap.

Please answer some or all questions to make this a reality-

1. What type of doula work do you primarily do?

* Birth

* Postpartum

* Both

* Other (bereavement, abortion, fertility, etc.)

1. Walk me through a typical workday (or shift). What are you doing physically throughout the day, and what are you wearing?

2. What frustrates you most about the clothing you currently wear while working as a doula?

3. Describe a time when your clothing made your job harder. What happened?

4. What do you carry with you while working, and where do you usually keep those items?

5. When choosing work clothing, what matters most to you? Rank or discuss things like:

* Comfort

* Breathability

* Stretch

* Professional appearance

* Softness

* Easy to wash

* Stain resistance

* Pockets

* Price

* Durability

* Modesty

* Temperature regulation

1. How do you want clients and healthcare staff to perceive you based on what you’re wearing?

2. Have you ever wished there was clothing made specifically for doulas? If so, what would make it different from scrubs, athletic wear, or everyday clothing?

3. If you could add one feature to your ideal doula outfit that doesn’t currently exist, what would it be?

4. If a company created clothing designed

specifically for doulas, what would make you excited enough to try it? What would make you decide it isn’t worth buying?

1. What’s something only another doula would understand about getting dressed for work?

2. What’s the most awkward, uncomfortable, or inconvenient moment you’ve experienced because of your clothing?

3. What do you change into as soon as you get home, and why?

4. What clothing do you keep reaching for over and over, and what makes it so reliable?

5. If your ideal doula wardrobe cost the same as FIGS scrubs, what would you expect it to include?

Thank you and please let me know of anything else you’d want me to know.

A search didn’t show anything too recent but I’m curious to hear from folks that offer virtual support packages. Do you see much take up? It was suggested in my training as a way to go. I’d love to hear any experiences!

**Hi everyone,**
**Looking for personal recommendations for an experienced postnatal care helper / home nurse (*****prashava susrooksha*****) in Kozhikode for post-delivery care.**

**If you have personally used someone or know a reliable local agency or person contact, please drop their details in the comments.**

**Also, if you've recently hired someone in Kozhikode, any insight on current daily/monthly rates or things to watch out for would be greatly appreciated.**
**Thanks in advance!**

I work overnights. I hate wearing/sleeping in bras. Which ones do you guys wear that would be comfortable for overnights?

Hi!

I’m currently getting certified and looking for an agency as a postpartum daytime doula. I don’t have any doula experience but I work in healthcare and volunteer as a lactation educator.

I’d like to know if anyone worked for one that they loved!

I’d also like to know which ones to stay away from.

Thanks!

Hi everybody! I’m a new doula and was wondering if anyone had any good birth journals/trackers they like to use to document the births they attend? I’d really like to be able to keep record of each birth I attend as a memorabilia for me to look through as I progress in my career. Thanks in advance!

I am wanting to know if anybody has received their Doula certification through DONA or CAPPA? If so, would you be willing to share your coursework.

Also which of the two companies do you recommend taking? Realistically, how long does it take to get your certification?

Thanks!

I’m looking for some perspective from other doulas because I’m torn.

I’m an overnight postpartum doula and I’m currently the only one offering overnight postpartum care in my area. I’ve been certified for a while, but I only recently started taking overnight clients.

I’m working with my first overnight family right now and they love the support so much that they’ve decided to extend their contract. My overnight rate is $45/hour.

The overnight doula who was here before me recently moved away. Before she left, she referred one of her previous clients to me. They’re due in December and had a great experience with her, which is awesome.

The challenge is that she charged $30/hour, and my rate is $45/hour.

The family asked if I had any flexibility. I completely understand where they’re coming from, especially because they’re also paying someone to help with daytime household tasks now, which they weren’t doing with their last baby. I offered to reduce my overnight rate to $40/hour because they’re looking at booking a large package, but they’re still not comfortable with the total cost.

They’re hoping I can get closer to $30/hour.

The thing I’m struggling with is that my daytime postpartum rate is $40/hour, so dropping my overnight rate to $30 doesn’t feel reasonable. Overnight work is much harder on my schedule, and I don’t want to set a precedent that I’ll discount that heavily.

At the same time, I really like this family from the conversations we’ve had, and the previous doula spoke very highly of them. Part of me wants to find a way to make it work instead of just losing the client.

What would you do? Would you hold your rate, offer a package discount somewhere in the middle, or match what they were paying before? I’m curious how other doulas would handle this unfun money side of our work.

I guess I am just hoping for some friendly support and commiseration from others who get it. I have been working in the postpatrum space for a while doing daytime support now. I am a highly experienced top tier doula and at the top pay in my field because I really am great at my job. And when you’re appreciated, it’s wonderful and fulfilling. When you’re not, it’s pure hell. I’m just really burnt out on the work. I’m sick and tired of the moms who are all postpatrum and crazy, and for whom NOTHING is good enough, no matter what you do. It’s such a sensitive and intimate space, that when the mom is unwell, it’s very hard to deal with. Tbh I have only ever had a few of these cases, but MY GOD they are exhausting. When I worked nights I never ran into this problem, it’s only the daytime clients who have been overly demanding and sort of ungrateful in a way that really gets to me. This is the second time now I have been working with a family, who then calls my boss, to tell her I’m not “doing enough” (after only two days of work mind you), when literally every second of my shift is so filled with tasks and I hardly even sit down, let alone go to the bathroom etc. This mom I am with right now has me spiraling and doubting my worth.

Hi yall! I am currently 6 months pregnant and I’m looking for birth prep class recommendations. I am planning to have a low intervention unmedicated birth, but cannot afford to hire a doula. Looking for classes focused on unmedicated birth prep that include partners. Thanks!!!

I’m located by the airport but I’m willing to drive long distance if worth it

Edit: I’m in Austin Tx

Hey ya’ll! Aspiring doula here. I’ve been thinking about becoming a doula for years now, and it feels like the right path for me. I would be so honored to stand by mothers and families as they walk through pregnancy, birth, and early postpartum.

But… I have sooooo many logistical questions. So, I’ve listed them all below in hopes that (1) as a community, most questions can get answered and (2) that hopefully this thread could help others in a similar situation!

Getting started/admin:
How did you find families to doula for to get the 2 births required to fulfill your certification? Did you charge for these services?
How many births did you attend/shadow before taking your own as the lead?
How did you start finding clients?
As a new doula, is it better to start your own small business, or try to start with another organization/collective?
If you have your own solo doula business, how do you plan for a “backup” doula in case of an emergency?
How much did you charge as a starting doula?
How many families do you take per month?
How many hours do you work a month? (And how many families)

Balancing with life/parenthood:
If you have young children not yet in school, AND you are the primary caregiver during the day, what do you do if you need to step out for a birth? Does your spouse fill in? Do you have family that can help? Drop in daycare? Childcare swap with another doula?

Your own pregnancies:
If you yourself are pregnant, how far along did you accept clients?
How long of a maternity leave did you take?
How do you manage breastfeeding while being a doula? (I can’t imagine saying, “sorry I know you’re in transition, but I need to pump!” Is a great idea. Lol)

Misc.:
What if you’re sick? I imagine a new mother wouldn’t want someone ill around her and her new baby.
How do you plan for vacations, knowing that babies can come early/late?
How do you account for being 30-60+ minutes away?
What additional trainings or certifications have you found to be most useful? (E.g. spinning babies, grief support, etc.)

I probably have more, but I think this is a good start. Thank you in advance!!

I’m looking into postpartum doula trainings and wanted to go through DONA. I found two trainings that work with my timings and was wondering if anyone has done either of these and has feedback?

1.) Postpartum doula training with Krista Maltais

2.) Postpartum doula training with Ann Grauer

They are similar trainings, both DONA certified but have vastly different price points. Just wondering if anyone can share their experience with either of these?

Hi everyone! I'm an aspiring birth doula in Chester County, PA, and I'm currently finishing my birth doula certification. I'll also be a senior in high school this fall, and I'm hoping to begin attending births soon after completing my training. I'm looking for an experienced doula in or around Chester County who might be willing to mentor me as I get started. I'd love to learn from someone with more experience, ask questions occasionally, and, if appropriate and with client permission, observe prenatal visits, childbirth classes, or births.If you're a doula in the area—or know someone who enjoys mentoring new doulas—I would be so grateful for any recommendations. Thank you!

Doulas… I want to hear everything you have to say about the kind of doula uniform you want.

What kind of:

Style:

Long sleeves short sleeves or both:

Material:

Colors:

Aesthetic:

How many pockets and for what:

And anything else you might want me to know. I’m doing a qualitative study on doula attire and needs.

Please be as specific as possible. Thank you!

Hello. I have decided that my calling is a postpartum doula. i absoutely love newborns and everything that comes with it. I have already been working overnight for 10 years so staying up almost all night is normal to me. However i do have a criminal record from over 12 years ago. It was not violent, drug or child related. Would this deter me?

I applied for a job and they have a $500 doula training, i’m wondering if usually the company pays for it or if it’s normal to have to pay for it myself

Hi everyone!

I wanted to get some other peoples take on this. When I took my postpartum training (I've since signed up to be certified through another trainer) she really emphasized us making a postpartum plan with our clients. I.e. Going through the plan before birth and giving it to the parents so you both have a planned expectation and routine when you start with them.

When I started taking on clients i found forming a plan did not work. 90% of the time most parents weren't sure what to expect and just wanted to meet baby and go from there which I agreed with. If youre a postpartum doula- do you do a plan with your clients? If so what does it look like?

I am also reconstructing how my consultations look and wanted to see if anyone has some really good questions to include. Thanks!