- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Natural Birth
Is anyone a midwife, doula, or lactation consultant?
If you are any of the above, why did you choose that path? What was your training/education like? What is your schedule like? Do you make a supplemental or self-sufficient income?
There's a serious lack of midwives, doulas, and lactation consultants in the county I live in. I was unable to have the birth I wanted here, so I traveled 100 miles to stay with family to have a home birth. At some point in my pregnancy, I began thinking about a new career path. It's still just an idea--I'm beginning my research and stepping rather tentatively towards this to make sure it's what I want and where I would best fit in.
I would love to hear personal experiences and am really hoping that this board has some to offer. Thanks ladies!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Is anyone a midwife, doula, or lactation consultant?
Hi!
I am a labour doula and lactation educator. I chose this path following the home birth of my first child. I was disappointed in the lack of knowledge in my city and wanted to help women advocate for themselves and get the birth experience they want.
We are expecting our second child in July and I can't wait! We are planning another home birth, birth photos, breastfeeding, placenta encapsulation, etc.
Gil
Doula, Placenta Encapsulator, Childbirth/Lactation Educator
Corin Andrew Dec 24/09
Ronan Edward Jul 9/12
Baby #3 EDD Aug 6/14
Congratulations--that sounds wonderful!
I don't want to drill you, but certification program/s did you choose and how did you find a "mentor"? I was thinking about DONA just because I see a number of doulas with that certification in my state. Also, are you a doula for homebirths, hospital births, or both?
De-Lurking!
I'm a midwifery student and also training to be a doula. I've always been interested in birth and everything that goes along with it. The last few months have sent me into a whirlwind because I started my mw classes and then the next thing I knew, I was encapsulating placentas and ordering a doula course.
I've chosen to go with Birth Arts International for my doula training. It follows the midwifery model of care and fits will with my life at the moment.
I'm writing a blog about my journey to be a midwife if you are interested.
The doulas I know do it as a side job - usually they're SAHM, or they have a flexible day job that lets them take time off to attend births (my doula is an office manager for a chiro clinic). They usually only take a couple clients a month - I can't imagine trying to guarantee more than 3 or 4 women that you would be there for their labour. That means it offers an income limited by that.
I think a midwife is a much more intense program with a lifestyle closer to a doctor - not the income, but the "on call" and more appointments, more patients. A lot more expense and time to the education. I think most midwives are nurses first.
I looked briefly at what it takes to be an IBLCE lactation consultant - you need some formal university level classes, and then a lot of lactation-focussed knowledge. There's info here.
So I think a big part of your decision probably hinges on how much schooling you're willing to do. You can become a doula in your spare time. You probably have to quit your job and go to school full time to become a midwife. LC is somewhere in between, depending on your existing education.
Natural Birth Board FAQs
Cloth Diaper Review Sheet
Not all midwives are nurses, however, it is still a long process.
I know my midwife attended a 3 year midwifery school, plus numerous workshops, had to attend I think 300 births before she qualified for her CPM in California. She also had to take the state licensing exam.
She is in a practice with 3 other midwives, and I know they alternate weekends off so that there are always 2 midwives at a birth.
She is very attentive, answers my calls and texts pretty quickly, unless she's at a birth or an appointment. So, I'd say she is pretty busy and has a supportive husband.
Each state has their own rules for midwives. Some don't allow CPMs, some have their own licensing process (LM), and some don't even really have to do much of anything (scary but true.) Of course, CNM's who are nurses who've continued their education.
I'm following NARM's PEP process. I'm not going to a formal or distance midwifery school so I'll be doing an apprenticeship. My study group covers the "academic" portion of things so I'll be really prepared for an apprenticeship when one comes my way. There are quite a few distance learning midwifery schools. My friend is a graduate of Ancient Arts. Some schools are accredited by MEAC and others aren't. You just have to do your research and see what path is best for you and your family.
There are lots of different doula training programs to choose from, but nothing says you HAVE to be certified to be a doula. The most well known programs are DONA, CAPPA, and CBI. There is also ToLabor (formerly ALACE) and BAI. I'm sure there's more out there, I just don't know their names.
I am certifying through CAPPA. I have a full time job so I try to only take 1 birth/month right now.
I attend both hospital and home births (although all of my births have been in hospitals so far except for my own).
I have a lot of friends that are doulas and there are a few doula groups in my area so it was easy to find a mentor. I have not attended any births with a mentor doula though, I have done them on my own.
Doula, Placenta Encapsulator, Childbirth/Lactation Educator
Corin Andrew Dec 24/09
Ronan Edward Jul 9/12
Baby #3 EDD Aug 6/14