Becoming a Doula

S.,
Where do you live? I know of rising moon midwifery in chester county, and I gave birth at TheBirthCenter.org in Bryn Mawr; both places could let you know the doulas they like to use and perhaps you could talk to them, find out where they go their training, etc.
smiles,
L., 39
Brianna 21m & yes! still bf'ing!
and baby
butterflylindamarie at yahoo dot com

S. - I worked for a social service agency that does doula work through grants - for women w/ disabilities - Kathy McGrath trained me - she did start an agency that split - one does births and the other post-partum - think they are overlapping some lately - but I now work for Jan Mallack of Heart & Hands - we do everything - 17 doulas - well established - largest in the city - Jan always looking for good doulas - she and Kathy are the gurus - the long timers - they do all of the training - Jan trained me for post partum when I was still with SS agency - give her a call
724 - 327 - 6063
feel free to tell her I sent you to her! hope to work with you soon!

I agree, talk to local doulas, who can give you good ideas about which organizations to train with and certify with, if you decide to do that. Good luck -- it's a great job!

Not sure where u are located at. But most Cortiva Inst schools. Sometimes have a doula classes. It is like extra classes that they over. Might be some place to start to look. And maybe some nartula birthing centers.

I have been a doula for 2 years, and I love it! It is a very rewarding (though sometimes frustrating at times) career. I don't know what part of PA ou are in, but I work with a group that trains doulas in our area. My certification is through CAPPA (childbirth and postpartum professionals association.) Their website is www.cappa.net I would love to share my experiences with you and help you in anyway.

You should contact Dona International (www.dona.org). They can point you in the right direction. They are a worldwide doula association that can give you lots of information and networking! Good luck!

Sounds like a wonderful idea! Personally, I would begin by looking for Doula services your area (maybe start with the phone book) & then make some information-gathering phone calls. I'm sure they can steer you in the right direction. Good luck!

Hi S.,

Congrats on wanting to become a doula! That is great! Birth Doulas of Pittsburgh can probably point you in the right direction. It was founded by Kathy McGrath and she trains 95% of all new doulas in the Pittsburgh region. You can google "kathy mccgrath, doula, pittsburgh" and you will find her contact info.

J.

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Here's a link http://www.maternitywise.com/postpartumdoulalocations.html
paste it in your browser ..

Hi S.-
It's wonderful that you want to become a doula. You should contact DONA (doula's of north america) and also Jacklyn Kelleher. She owns a store in Media where she holds trainings and seminars. She would be more than happy to answer any of your questions. The website for the store is www.Familybirthmark.com.
i wish you the best of luck, if you would like to contact me directly my email is ____@____.com.

Hi, S.!
Congratulations on your decision to become a doula! That is something that we definitley need a lot more of, in my opinion! Every woman who wants one should have one for her birth!!!!

I am going through A.L.A.C.E. (Association of Labor Assistants & Childbirth Educators) to get my CBE (Childbirth Education certificate) and I really like them. Their programs are wonderful & very well-rounded & they are very supportive.

I do believe that they are currently re-doing the doula program to make it even better & more well-rounded, so they might not be having any more registration for a few more months, but I'd highly suggest looking into them.

Their website is www.alace.org

May I also suggest that, if you have any interest at all, you start coming to the Homebirth Meetups @ Maternal Wellness Center in Philly? They're a great place to meet other moms & birth professionals in the area. The next one is Monday the ____@____.com website for the center is www.maternalwellness.com (I think!). I actually run the meetings now, so if you have any questions about them, feel free to ask!

Good luck in your decision!!!
A.