How to become a doula!

This article is going to give you the information you need to become a doula. The following is taken from doula.com What is a doula? A doula is a professional who provides emotional, informational, physical, and practical support for the expectant, laboring, or postpartum mother. A birth doula specializes in supporting the mother during labor.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• computer
• time
• money for certification fees

1. Read up on doulas. Do you think you have what it takes? Can you be readily available whenever needed? Can you provide support to women in labor, no matter how calm or upset they are? If you do your research and feel that you can be a doula, then continue the process. For good information, try visiting http://www.doula.com
2. Visit http://www.dona.org
   
   They can give you all the information needed to become a birth doula or post-partum doula. They can also provide doula contact information, as well as classes in your area, and you can purchase a certification packet from them.
3. Complete the reading needed from the reading list.
4. Register for a doula training workshop and purchase the certification packet.
5. Follow any other steps on the dona.org site. This may include a childbirth class, or a breastfeeding class.

Tips & Warnings

• Try contacting local hospitals. They may be able to give you some great information on when they offer classes, or let you speak with a doula to get a better idea of what to expect.
• Being a doula is not going to be easy. You have to be understanding, and able to work with people.
• Becoming a doula will cost money. Usually around $300 sometimes more.