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Based Business Idea
D
O U L A / B I R T H C O A C H:
Business
Description
What
is a Doula? If you are like me the word came as a bit of a
surprise. I had an idea of what it meant but didn’t know
exactly. But Doula’s are growing in popularity. Becoming a
Doula as a Hot Home Based Business Idea is one of the Top 20 in the US
for 2002. There
are two kinds of Doulas:
-
Birth
doulas (also called labor doulas, labor coaches or birth assistants)
give non-medical emotional, physical and informational support to a
pregnant woman and her partner during labor and delivery and the
early days after birth.
-
Postpartum
doulas nurture new moms after they get home for three to four hours
at a time, helping them recuperate from childbirth and assisting
with breastfeeding, bathing, meal preparation, sibling care,
errand-running, household chores and any other tasks the new mom may
need help with.
Your
Unique Skills
Women today are seeking a birthing experience that meets their
individual needs. A Doula is a "woman's helper" who provides physical,
and emotional support to an expectant mother before during and after the birth of her
child. A woman will typically search for the services of a Doula
to provide the information and the options available for a more “natural” birthing
experience. Your unique skills will include specialized training,
empathy, tenderness, and the ability to be available 24 hours a
day. You will need to be available and in close proximity to the
birthing mother. Most women that choose to become Doulas do not do
it solely as a business venture. They have a passion for providing
the service to both the unborn child and the family.
Instead
of skills you need to survey aspects of your personality, Are you
calm, patient and know how to react in emotionally charged
environments? Do you love babies and children and helping others
(that may at times seem unreasonable and demanding?) Pure empathy
and understanding go a long way during the childbirth experience but at
the same time she wants you to look out for her best interest and be the
knowledgeable participant in the process. You are the birth
consultant she has hired to make sure that her care and services are the
best they can be. You are the expert. You are required to
obtain training through
local hospitals and certification from an accredited organization such
as DONA or CAPPA (see below). Postpartum only doulas will not need to
become certified as a Doula. However, all Doulas should have
either training or extensive experience with proper breastfeeding
methods and infant care.
Training
Required -Tools
of the Trade
Training
can be obtained in many locations around the world. The Doulas of North
America (DONA) has over 120 trainers. Association of Labor Assistants
and Childbirth Educators (ALACE), International Childbirth Education
Association (ICEA), Lamaze International and CAPPA all have programs as
well. Many will offer training in your area if you agree to sponsor the
training and help with finding participants and dealing with local
issues and questions.
Your
training should include something on all aspects of being a doula from
hands on labor support, to finding clients and starting your own
business. Carefully look at each of the programs you're trying to decide
between and see which one fits you best in the following areas:
-
Philosophy
-
Depth
of Training
-
Location
of Training
-
Cost
of Training
-
Length
of Training
There
are some programs that offer distance learning as well as scholarships,
such as the CAPPA program. Ask individual programs what they have to
offer if you have special needs.
A
pager and a cell phone is a must for birth doulas, you may also want to
invest in a PDA - handheld computer to keep important information with
you at all times. You need to be reached at all times especially
if a client goes into labor. Protect
yourself and your business against lawsuits, also consider liability insurance, which
costs about $100 a year. (You can find information on liability
insurance policies for doulas at Childbirth.org.) Getting
Your Foot in the Door
You will need the credentials and training first. Once you have
decided this is the business for you then the work begins. Don't
expect to be pulling in money until you have gained the education to
call yourself a Doula. After you have gained the knowledge it is
still a question of gaining someone's trust in your wisdom and
abilities. You can begin by assisting a professional working Doula
and gain hands-on experience to add to your CV. After that you can
gain contacts and connections through a variety of sources. You
can network through childbirth instructors, infant care programs,
hospital maternity departments and more.
The
Internet and specialty directories are also a great way to describe your
service and give prospective clients a "feel" for who you
are. Many women use online resources to research health
practitioners, and specialty services. Create a web site that lets
them "know" you before they meet you. Also
send flyers or brochures to ob/gyn and pediatricians' offices, local La
Leche League branches, lactation consultants, motherhood preparation
classes and twins' groups. Post announcements about your service on
bulletin boards in places moms congregate -- doctors' offices, child
care centers, preschools, mothers' clubs, fitness centers -- and
advertise in community newspapers and school and church newsletters.
Spread the word to every pregnant woman you know. If you're a post-partum
doula, consider offering gift certificates; they're great baby shower
gifts. Show
Me the Money
You
will set your rates based on your location and what the local market is
willing to pay. Many
Doula’s charge $15 – 35 an
hour. This can also be set up as a birth fee. Cost out the
amount of time you will spend pre-birth, birth and after and make a
quote for the entire process. This can range from $300 to $1,000 per
delivery. If you are an experienced Doula with specialized
knowledge you can charge the higher fee. The cost of Doula services are not
typically covered by health insurance.
Find
Out More...
To
find out more about Locating or Becoming a Doula in the Atlanta Area.
Check out these biz-eWomen Doula Listings.
Resources:
Childbirth and
Postpartum Professionals Association (CAPPA)
Doulas of North America (DONA)
Doula.com
Doula
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