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What is a Doula? |
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A Doula is someone who works as an assistant or coach for women in childbirth and after giving birth.
There are two types of Doulas: Birth Doulas and Postpartum Doulas. Birth Doulas attend the birth of the child, acting as a labor coach and helper during labor and delivery. Postpartum Doulas are primarily concerned with helping a mother after the baby is born and she's home.
It's important to note that a Doula does not replace a midwife, obstetrician, or other healthcare professional, but serves as an assistant or support person through the process of labor and delivery. Doulas do not actually deliver the babies.
The average annual income of a Doula is around $51,000 varies greatly based on location, certification, and experience.
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How do I become a Doula? |
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It is possible to be a Doula without any certification. However, if you plan to make a career of it, it's recommended to receive certification from one of the national Doula certification organizations, such as DONA International (Doulas of North America) or ALACE (Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators).
Fortunately, getting certified as a Doula is a quick healthcare degree process that can take less than a year to complete. In a certification program, you'll read a lot about labor and childbirth philosophies, as well as attend seminars to teach you about pregnancy, labor, childbirth, post-natal care, and breastfeeding. You will also be required to attend births as an observer.
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What are the benefits and drawbacks of a career as a Doula? |
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One of the benefits of a career as a Doula is that it only requires a quick healthcare degree to start working. If you're passionate about labor and birth, and want to get into the healthcare field, working as a Doula is one way to start your career right away.
One of the drawbacks of a career as a Doula is that it is a limited career. You may choose to work as a Doula as a stepping-stone to another career, but since the education and training requirements for Doulas are so minimal, you will likely need further training to move to another career.
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