When I was living in Sydney, I tried to get in touch with Denise Love, but her business is now run by another woman (who's name I forget, and who was going to be my doula w/ my daughter but then said she'd be out of town)....I think many are missing Denise Love being on the scene...I believe she is still working as a doula...but perhaps is just not into the business side of things any more....anyway, I couldn't find her anywhere.

Trish...I'm just about completed...the first half of the course is all about pregnancy/birth, etc, and then I'm onto the 'starting up your business/legalieties', etc stuff. It's wonderful...as bellybelly said, it depends on the person, as some people don't like distance due to having limited motivation, but I'm so passionate about the course that it's just FUN! I truly love it, and it's structured in a very concise, intelligent way. With each module, you recieve books, lectures, an exam, and a C.D rom or two with various lectures, demonstrations, and presentations - all by Dr. Vose. So, if you think you'd thrive by distance, I can't recommend it enough. Also, it comes at a fairly good price for what you get - $220 per module, which you can pay as you go. (and the course includes about six-eight books to add to your "doula library". I have added to my doula library over time, mainly buying fantastic books from Capers Bookstore, online. Capers is full of great things for doulas, childbirth educators and midwives (as well as parents and parents-to-be), and I'm going to be getting a model pelvis and baby and such in time (these things all cost a great deal). As well as that, I just keep my eye open for good quality books and pregnancy yoga DVD's, etc when they're on sale, to add to by lending doula library. But yes, it does cost a bit, and I'm having to do it gradually. I've also gone through just about every book on any pregnancy/birth related subject in a couple of libraries and photo-copied relevant articles as a resource for parents....so there are a whole heap of options. Online articles are good too....just make sure you reference everything!

I haven't done my births yet for a few reasons....recently moved and been busy with the house; only started my course when my daughter was a new-born (and now 8 months) so I've been busy with her....but I'm now getting a bit of a nudge by Dr. Vose, telling me to "go go go" as I'm well and truly ready....I can't wait! So, I've just started to advertise my services on this site...and will be leaving a calling card all around town within a couple of weeks. I've attended a birth (other than my own two) in the past, as I've always wanted to be a midwife, so I'm just looking forward to it all.

Feel free to ask any questions, Trish...I'm happy to answer them!