Doula Education Series – Doula 101

Childbirth education and doula trainings go hand in hand. While the formal doula training or doula certifications may only be a weekend or a “learn at your own pace” type of process – there is a lot of integration that comes with birth work. As book learning joins the hands on labor experience, pieces start to come together in the doulas mind. When you add in what the parents are learning from their childbirth education classes, the doula knows how to better shape and interview with them as well as what to cover in the prenatal meetings. Then when you add a childbirth educator getting doula feedback in understanding what goes on in the birth room – the childbirth educator can add to and adapt their curriculum to better serve future parents. Both pieces of this puzzle coming together not only forms solid community for the parents, but also for the birth worker. This is how my program came to be.

In this short blog series, I want to give you a brief glimpse into where education meets spirituality and forms deep connection amongst people with the same goals. We are all looking to belong, be seen and be deeply loved. How perfect that we can explore that connection in honoring the beginning of a new life and the birth of a new family. The Doula Education Series is much more than hip squeezes and timing contractions it’s a combination of mentoring(guidance and support) and business coaching(strategies, mindset shifts and feedback on specific business goals). It lights me up that my team and I can continue to offer this community of support to new doulas starting out.

Doula 101 – Business Setup

When it comes to setting up a fulfilling business that is not a recipe for burnout  – there are a few things you need to be curious about exploring. Let’s start with self, your relationship with money and clear communication with others regarding your needs. Let the discomfort begin!

Who are you? How do you describe yourself as a person, friend and business owner? How do you use your voice to assert your needs and wants without feeling like you are aggressive, needy or forceful? How clear are your words when interacting with family, friends and soon to be clients? Do you know how to take care of you or do you put everyone ahead of you? Do you give yourself permission to explore the uncomfortable parts of where you may not feel worthy of being all of you.

It is SO important to “know yourself” and what takes care of YOU first…

and then shape boundaries around those things so that your foundation is strong. You will find a few(or a lot) of areas in your life where you are weak in boundary setting. I was a 1 out of 10 when I came into doula work – I will say I am a solid 8.5 now(14 years folks!). When you have a heart for service, your own needs tend to be ignored by you AND by others. This will only get worse by adding clients if you don’t rework putting yourself first. It is not selfish, unChristian, conceited or whatever your brain is telling you. Setting and keeping healthy boundaries is necessary to be the best doula, birth educator, midwife etc. you are meant to be.

A boundary is not saying “no” to everything and everyone. It is a plan of action that you take when something comes up that isn’t in your best interest or that isn’t taking care of you. A boundary is about what YOU do, not about what the other person does or interprets. A boundary is freedom for all parties because the communication is clear.

I want you to take care of you – like you would take care of me.

Treat yourself as you would want others to treat you. (reverse Golden Rule yourself) YOU are important, loved and needed. In order to be your best self – you need to make sure that you are not giving away all of you, just what you can at the time and then execute a plan to fill yourself back up. We are here to support each other! And I need you to support me too!!

Now let’s start practicing!

No is a no. Maybe is a no. Yes is a hell yes.

SIMPLE. Be clear with your words. Listen and respect when those words are said to you.

When I know that you can say no to me when you need to say no – then I also know that I can trust your yes to be a hell yes and that you are all in! THIS is what allows the deepest trust.

To learn more about the upcoming Doula Education Series or to sign up – Click here