How Becoming a Doula May Be Your Best Career Move Yet
Do you like the idea of a career caring for families during pregnancy, birth and beyond, but are unsure about where to begin?
Do you long to help women welcome their newborns to the world and give families the best start possible?
Or perhaps you're genuinely fascinated by postpartum care worldwide and how we could do things differently?
Doulas are not well known; however, more people are earning a living through this fulfilling career while maintaining a work-life balance.
Here are some reasons why pursuing work as a doula could be your best career move yet!
What Is a Doula?
Doulas are qualified, non-medical professionals who provide women with emotional and physical support before, during, and after birth. Their ultimate goal is to help Newborn Mothers step into this new role with confidence and satisfaction. There are different types of doulas; for example, birth doulas support parents in preparation for and during labour, while postpartum doulas work with mothers after they've given birth.
Read more about different kinds of doulas here: Are Postpartum Doulas Covered By Insurance?
Doulas DON'T provide clinical care; they don't give medical advice, diagnose medical conditions, or interpret test results.
Doulas DO provide:
Emotional support.
Information based on scientific evidence.
Referrals to resources, professionals, groups and hotlines.
Support navigating new family dynamics and more.
Read What Does A Postpartum Doula Do? A Look Into Their Job Description
5 Steps to Help You Make Doula a Full-Time Occupation
1. Create A Doula Business Vision
If you've ever been self-employed, you are likely aware of the importance of having a clear dream to guide you. Creating your vision is like throwing an anchor out into the future to pull you toward where you want to be. Like all business ventures, setting up a profitable doula business requires time, training, starting a business and finding your first few clients. It can all feel a bit daunting, especially in a culture that does not value women's work.
Doula's work is incredibly rewarding, and many of our graduates feel it is a vocation or a calling. Many agree it is absolutely worth the effort.
Get clear on your vision and mission and why this work is important and meaningful to you. This vision will keep you going through the inevitable challenges along the way.
Read more: What To Name Your Doula Business
Newborn Mothers Collective provides training in professional postpartum care. It provides the skills required to support new families and the business basics you need to get started, with lessons on pricing, how to get clients and what to write on your website.
2. Do some training
As doulas provide non-medical support, training is generally unnecessary; however, most professionals feel more confident with their qualifications.
Many organisations offer training programs for potential doulas, and it's up to you to find the training you feel would be the best fit for you. Postpartum training can cover topics like:
Scope of practise
Providing information based on scientific information
When and whom to refer to
Building a support network for new families
Supporting rites of passage and identity shifts
Infant feeding and care
Traditional cultural care
Food preparation
Communication skills
Doulas may also consider small business training and support, such as marketing and bookkeeping.
Read more about training and certification: Can I Call Myself a Doula?
If you feel called to a career in postpartum support, Newborn Mothers Collective is renowned for its holistic and practical approach. This online training is available worldwide and consists of six self-study training modules that can be completed in your own time and at your own pace.
3. Continue Your Education
Some of you may belong to professional associations that require you to do ongoing professional development. Newborn Mothers Collective is recognised for 20 CPD points by the Australian College of Midwives, DONA International and more.
Even if you aren't required to do ongoing training, in my experience, doulas are lifelong learners! Most doulas love to keep getting new skills in areas like yoga, herbs, childbirth education, Ayurveda and more!
4. Use Marketing Methods That Foster Connection
Since becoming a doula isn't the most conventional business venture, conventional marketing methods aren't always relevant. Pursue marketing techniques that foster connection with soon-to-be mothers. If you want someone to invite you into their home and family life, you need to build trust and a relationship with them.
If people have only met or interacted with you once, it's unlikely that they'll feel connected enough to you to engage your services. However, you will slowly build that trust if you consistently reach out with helpful, practical, heartwarming information.
Email marketing and blog writing are affordable and consistent methods for connecting with your target audience. When you meet a potential client, ask to add them to your email list; if they answer 'yes', you can regularly send them blog posts. Above all, make sure your reader knows exactly how they can get more support from you by inviting them to a live event or a free consultation.
5. Set Realistic Goals and Timelines
Doula burnout is real, so balancing your work with the needs of yourself, your family, and other obligations is essential. Think about including care strategies in your budget; for example, regular massages to take care of your back muscles after the long work of providing labour support.
I often tell my students that the difference between us is that I've made more mistakes! It takes time to establish a business, so don't be disheartened if it takes you a year or two to generate consistent and reliable income.
How Much Does a Doula Earn?
Every doula has their own packages and rates, depending on experience, additional expertise, the services provided, and the demands within that region.
If you are interested in becoming a birth doula, a general rule is that four births a month make a full-time workload. You might attend two or three births a month if you want to work part-time.
Working as a postpartum doula may better accommodate your family's needs and other obligations, as you don't need to be on call or work nights. You may be able to offer support at night during weekends, evenings, or during school hours if you have kids in school.
As with any business venture, it's essential to make sure the cost of your services reflects their inherent value. Unfortunately, women's work is often undervalued, meaning many doulas underprice their services.
Read: How to Price your Postpartum Packages.
What Do Doulas Wear?
It's important to find something that makes you feel professional when working as a doula. But your clients are likely to be wearing breastmilk-soaked-pyjamas and probably haven't washed their hair in a week. So you should consider clothes that make them feel comfortable too!
A good rule of thumb is to choose a 'uniform' - a simple outfit that you have in a few variations, for example, jeans and a polo shirt, or leggings and a t-shirt dress.
Consider the physical aspects of doula work, for example:
Jewellery can prove challenging when holding a baby or massaging a mum.
An apron is handy to keep your clothes clean when cooking or giving a massage.
You may need to bend, reach, or sit on the floor to avoid tight, stiff clothes that restrict your movement.
Pockets are always useful!
Hospitals are generally quite cold, whereas homes with newborns are usually overly warm, so dress for the location you will be visiting.
Once you've got more experience and know what you like to wear, you can get your logo or business printed on your favourite clothes, if you want.
Be mindful that postpartum doulas are not medical professionals, so we should avoid clothing that gives the wrong impression, like scrubs.
Life as a Doula is Challenging Yet Fulfilling
Doula work is mental, physical and emotional work. It's also misunderstood and underappreciated in our culture. Therefore, doulas require a unique support system to help them assist Newborn Mothers to the best of their ability.
Doula work is also rewarding! Doulas can change the lives of mothers and babies. You'll provide comfort, encouragement, and support when a family needs it the most. Newborn Mothers Collective provides training in becoming a postpartum support professional; learn more here.
