*June24Bride*

LuvBug12683

WTH? OMG I had no idea you were in school to be a doula..I really am looking into it and would love any info you have! So cool!!

June24Bride

I'm not in school right now, just reading the materials..I start the first of May

wanted to do this for years, finally making it happen. I know God has called me to do this

I'm at Seattle Midwifery, because they do DONA certified classes. I'll then get my certification through DONA as well, and do a breastfeeding/lactation class.

LuvBug12683

Dude that is so crazy b/c this last week has made me really think things over re: my "career" and I was able to be with my friend on Friday night when she was in labor and she told me I should become a doula. To be honest, I had never really thought of it before. I had always wanted to be and OB but condering all of the school and the outrageous malpractice costs, it was going to be really tough (I even tried out a UCLA summer program that was held for outgoing HS students wanting to become Drs) after I decided against becoming a Dr I persued nursing and midwifery. I checked out SMS as well as TCC for the RN nursing program. All I really want to do is work with laboring moms...is that so much to ask for? haha I guess I had just figured that in tough times like these, people are not going to want to hire a doula. Also, having to find your own clients is very scary! I was looking at the SMS website and am very interested. I had also looked into Bates and I want to say I've heard that they pair you with a few couples (for free) in order for you to get some practice in....I thought that was a cool idea...we should take the class together!

June24Bride

Ya i'm excited. I'm applying for the UW medical center scholarship program, and also going to interview *hopefully* to be a doula volunteer there for atleast 6 months. Not only to get to know the docs/nurses/patients, but to get a grip on everything, and I wont be charging my couples. In fact, I could care less if i ever got paid...I just love it so much!

LuvBug12683

agreed!
Why UW Medical Center? As opposed to TG, Good Sam or St. Francis? Just curious, b/c thats a good 45 min drive....

I really like how there is training on vbac support too! Im torn between Bates (much less expensive) and SMS...ahh!

June24Bride

UWMC I'm partial too cuz Dan works at Harborview, AND they work with the school I'm going to. Alot of people with tough pregnancies or special circumstances give birth there. That's just to start though, to offer free services. Later I'll be bouncing around to hospitals. Fortunately I know quite a bit of staff in the Franciscan community

 

I should also had that SMS is awesome because Penny Simkin will actually be training me, which is an honor in itself.

Obviously it's your own decision, but  dont base your education on the cost of training, rather, what people have said about it, and who hires you when you have that school on your resume, ya know?

LuvBug12683

The b/f course is 260
childbirth course is 382
also DONA certified


I totally hear ya! I've got a few connections through Multicare hehe, its all about who you know! Thats too funny, no wonder we "connected" gotta love common interests!

Now we should really gtg this week and chat!

Mandygettingmarried72608

:: butting in ::

Just thought I'd say that I just completed my doula training at SMS over the past two weeks, and I *loved* it. Sharon Muza, Teri Shilling, and Sarah Huntington (midwife/doula) were my doula trainers. Penny Simkin was there for a day, and it was an amazing opportunity to meet her. They all were amazing and inspiring. SMS is a great community of folks from what I can tell.

If either of you have any questions regarding the training or the books or the trainers themselves, feel free to email me! mandyunderhill at gmail dot com.

Congrats to you both for considering this wonderful career and knowledge path. It was a very fulfilling training.

:: butting out ::

June24Bride

Mandy you've got mail