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| Doula Training Workshop & Mentoring |
| Frequently Asked Questions Can I begin working as a doula after taking this workshop? Yes! After completing the prerequisite reading, observing a series of childbirth education classes, and attending the four-day Doula Training Workshop, participants have the skills necessary to begin supporting women and families in birth. It is strongly recommended that you attend your first few births as a volunteer- this is a great way to build your confidence & put your new knowledge into action, while at the same time helping a family who would not otherwise be able to benefit from the services of a doula. New doulas often find that the families they serve on a volunteer basis are glad to spread the word about how essential you were to their positive experience. Graduates of this training have gone on to become active members of the Green River Doula Network, the Bay State Volunteer Program, and the San Francisco General Hospital Doula Program. Others have continued on to apprenticeship in midwifery and/or to start their own independent practice as birth & postpartum doulas. How much do doulas earn? This varies a great deal based on what geographic area the doula works in, what her level of experience is, whether she has any other relevant skills (such as being a yoga teacher, Licensed Massage Therapist, Acupuncturist, etc), and what package of services the doula offers. You will determine, for example, how many prenatal and postpartum appointments you have with clients, and at what point in their labor you will join them. Many doulas in the Pioneer Valley area work on a sliding scale basis. In the Amherst/Northampton area, the typical range of fees for birth doula care (including prenatal and postpartum visits) is $300-$800. Fees in metropolitan areas often run in the range of $2000-$2500 per birth. Midwives who also work as doulas usually earn $1000- $1200 or more. |
| Michelle L'Esperance, Certified Professional Midwife (413) 586-3648 cell (239) 404-1799 Email me to join the free Doula Training & Mentoring e-Newsletter. |
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| Home Doula Training Workshops Birth Doula Care Traditional Home Postpartum Care Creative Movement for Birth About Michelle L'Esperance, CPM Birth Story Resources |
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| What exactly does the training include and how much does it cost? The $500 tuition for the Doula Training Workshop includes four full days of instruction by a Certified Professional Midwife, your Doula Notebook (a valuable collection of articles, methods, reference materials, and paperwork to use as you launch your practice), and an invitation to participate in the private Yahoo group for all graduates of the course. You are also eligible to have two one-half hour individual phone mentoring sessions with the midwife after the Workshop. There are no hidden costs, certification fees, or additional materials fees. What is the purpose of the Warm Welcome Yahoo group? The group is a great way to stay in touch with the great women you met in the workshop, share births stories, tips, and questions, and make back-up arrangements. Are there any discounts, payment plans, or workstudy available? An early registration discount of $25 off the tuition is available for all registrations and deposits postmarked by Aug. 10, 2008. Refer a friend and receive a $25 discount. A bilingual discount of $50 is available for those who are functionally fluent in a language other than English, and plan to serve a population of non-English speaking women. Multiple discounts may apply. Students of Smith College may be eligible for scholarship funds (up to 100% of tuition!) through the Deans of the College. Workstudy positions can reduce your tuition. These positions fill up quickly. The Green River Doula Network may offer some tuition assistance in exchange for doing some work for the Network. This is a great way to get involved in the community of doulas! Flexible payment plans are available. Please call for details. |
| Can I be a birth doula if I haven't given birth? Some of the best doulas and midwives have not physically given birth themselves. What is required is a caring heart, alert mind, willing hands, and a profound instinct for authentic human connection. How can I integrate doula work and being on call with the rest of my life? As a self-employed, independent doula, you always have control over how much work you decide to take on. Many doulas make a gradual transition into attending births, continuing to do other work in the meantime. If you have a family at home or other work that you intend to continue with, I recommend setting up a back-up arrangement with another doula. If you find that you work especially well with one other particular doula, you might eventually partner together. This allows you to have more control over your schedule, and to have the benefit of predictable off-call days. |
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| What makes this training special? (1) This Workshop is taught by a Certified Professional Midwife (NARM). The curriculum is ideal for those considering eventual study of midwifery or obstetrics, or for those who are simply interested in gaining a thorough understanding of the anatomy and hormonal process of birth. (2) This training is a full four days long, unlike many others which are three or even just two. Four days gives us the time to delve more deeply into the work, covering topics not included in other workshops, and giving you more supervised hands-on practice. (3) EVERY new doula will participate significantly in explaining and demonstrating comfort measures to actual pregnant couples on the last day of training, in the Creative Movement for Birth class. (4) Participants in the Workshop are eligible to recieve individual mentoring, as 2 half-hour phone sessions with the midwife anytime in the year following the training. This experienced guidance can be very helpful as you begin your practice. |
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