r/doulas

Most of my consultations end in them deciding to hire someone else. I'll even feel really good about a consultation and they won't hire me. Then, I'll feel really bad about another one and they will hire me. It's very confusing. I obviously don't mind clients deciding to pick someone else. Ultimately, I'm not the doula for everyone. The problem is that maybe 20% of my consultations are successful at getting clients and I'm quite frankly exhausted doing them. I get so disappointed when a consultation goes great and they don't hire. I definitely end up thinking a lot about how to follow up and when. The consultation doesn't just take up time in the consultation, but I ultimately end up thinking about them a lot outside of the consultation. I guess what I'm asking is if a 20% success rate is normal and your best tips to stop caring as much. Or tips to develop a thick skin for rejection.

​

What are some interesting/weird clauses that you had to add to your contact, because a you or another Doula were put in a situation that made you feel that you needed to add a clause?

Mine: Client rescheduled every prenatal visit a minimum of twice, and almost always an hour before (and yes, I confirm the night before, and the day of), and rescheduled one of her postpartum visits 4 times, but then got frustrated with me, when I couldn't give her the new date she wanted, because one of my other clients was being induced. Now I have a cancellation policy, and after so many reschedules they forfeit the visit.

Any of you guys diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome? I know I need to work on my strength but damn do I want to complain. Just getting home from an extremely long birth and my body is aching! Anyone got any good things that helped?

I'm looking into doula training programs and feel so conflicted. Every program has people with good and bad experiences.

I want to be certified to look good to clients and local doula networks, and maybe for insurance reimbursement (though my area doesn't seem to reimburse right now), but it seems clients dont care all that much about where you trained, just that you know your stuff and mesh well with them personally.

I just want to learn, gain experience and help people, without vetting programs for inclusivity or evidence-based practice, or getting caught up in recertification fees and drama. I'll likely pursue CLC and childbirth ed certs later anyway.

Im considering self-studying in the meantime and gathering reading lists from popular programs.

Please share:

Books you found helpful

Good childbirth ed classes taught by doulas/nurses

Free resources on running a doula business, scope of practice, and working with clients

Favorite YouTube channels

I do plan to take a training eventually, but I don't want to delay learning while I pick one. My must-haves: science/evidence-based, inclusive and respectful of all people, and lengthy and comprehensive. Id also like minimal reccuring fees and a bonus for in person workshops.

Ive looked into maternitywise(they seem to lack organization and push against conventional medicine like OBs and vaccines) and bebomia(ive heard theyre rude/lack professionalism and have a shady scholarship program) and have ultimately decided against them. ive also heard not the best things about DONA, even though theyre very popular, they seem to be lackluster and not the most diverse.

Hey all! First post in this sub!
I am doing my certification training in December and then I plan on working on getting clients.
However, I am not in a place where I can just do that full time, so my question is what/how do those who work a normal job, juggle with the unexpected events of labor and delivery? Is your work understanding? What do you do that has the flexibility?
Thank you all! I am very excited for my training, as I had a traumatic childbirth and I believe if I had a doula, it would have been a much better experience. I want to give that to new parents :)

Hi everyone,
I 26 F am a newly certified birth and postpartum doula. I am wanting to work as mostly a birth doula but have some questions about doing postpartum care. I see a lot of jobs for overnight postpartum care or daytime care for newborns. I’d love to be able to take positions like this but am afraid my experience with newborns is too limited. I have never cared for a newborn without someone telling me what to do. The class I took to become certified was very vague and didn’t dive too much into specific newborn care. I was wondering if anyone had taken newborn care classes or continuing education classes that helped prepare them for postpartum shifts. I am in the Portland Oregon area if that helps. Thank you so much.