Hi Everyone,

Yes being a Doula is absolutely the most rewarding job ever invented, and yes Lisa, it is still really unheard of which is really sad. Fortunately the word is slowly spreading and I have been able to get 3 clients within the last couple of months. So if you are looking for a full time career, it is not going to happen overnight. I do run my own business. I called it Belly to Baby - Pregnancy, Birth and Postnatal Doula Support. I had a baby 7 months ago myself, so I am only now really knuckling down and getting myself promoted. I have a friend who is doing a website for me and my husband and I are organising to get the business name printed in HUGE stickers and stuck across our car. A good way to advertise dont you think? I am going to have on the car, Are you pregnant? and mention something about hire a doula!! and ofcourse the website address. So at least if women dont know what a Doula is, they will know its something to do with pregnancy and hopefully have a look at the website and go WOW!!.

Liana, you will love being a Doula. I studied 3/4 of my Midwifery and never went back after discovering the life of a Doula. When I go to see my clients it is basically like having a coffee and a great chat and getting paid for it!! I spent almost 2.5hours today talking to my client and the time just flew by! I managed to calm her nerves about a few things and she was smiling and happy when I left. It just makes you feel like you have really achieved something and changed someones life over a cup of coffee!. It is very rewarding. As a midwife you will duck in and out from patient to patient, and not really get to know the woman, where as a Doula is part of the whole pregnancy and birth and is there to support the woman every step of the way and also be there to help them after they have the baby. I guess being a Doula you get to see the whole story and not just one chapter as you would as a Midwife. I find this so much more rewarding!.

However as Lisa mentioned, the births arent exactly scheduled and it can be difficult with two little ones at home too. Luckily I have a very supportive mother who is here when I need her. I also work as a Mothercraft Nurse and help mums with their babies. For example, I have a job coming up Mid Aug and will stay at the families house throughout the night from 6pm to 6am and do all the newborn care. (luckily the pay is FANTASTIC!!) However I also have a client who is due mid Aug, but my Mothercraft Nurse client is very happy for me to go to the birth when I need too. So basically, it all works out in its own little way!!.