CBI and Optimum Birth Online Doula Course

Oh good question Relle.

I think I might just stay with CBI that way I can do all of my training through the same people IYKWIM.

Flea, I would worry about the haste in getting a response too. Doesn't make for great business, and what if you are really stuck with something. One would hope that there students would recieve better attention than that.

Have you had a look at the sample business pages on the CBI course. While they do have the American slant I can see that it probably wouldn't be too much different to Australias. Well I hope so anyway. Perhaps we could call or email them regarding that part of the course beforehand....

Yeah I did have a look at that Trish and I agree I don't think it would be too different. The main reason I like the OB business component was that all the legal and liability issues part of it was written by Australian solicitors who specialise in that area. So that attracted me. But I think I might also do CBI and just "add on" the extra module if I feel I need to at the end.
I did email CBI about this last year (I started looking into this when I was pregnant with Toby and I'm only now getting back to it!). This was what they said:

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The course materials are not geared towards one specific country as Childbirth International has students from all over the world. In the business section of the doula module, we discuss techqnieues for setting up and promoting your business that can be applied globally. We mention organizations that can be of assistance in both Australia and the US.

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Flea,

How can you add on the extra module though, please forgive my ignorance, it's been a very long day.

I am going to a seminar next week to look at ways to promote your business online so hopefully that will help me some.

Great that it covers both US and Australia too hey.

From what I can see with Optimum Birth, they're set up so that you just buy each module as you're ready to do it (each one is $110 and there are 4 modules that make up the complete course) and download it yourself onto your PC. They have a page set up on their website where you buy the modules, so I'm thinking I would just buy that one module. Obviously you wouldn't get any formal recognition for it because you're not completing their full course, but that wouldn't matter since you've completed the CBI course. It would just be to have the "local knowledge" kwim?
So that's kind of my plan at the moment.
Good luck with the seminar, sounds like a great idea!

Ahh that is a great idea. I might "steal" that one after I do the CBI fi I feel I still need it.

Quite a few questions about CBI! Thought I would clarify a few of the questions since they are unanswered at the moment.

"Do they help you find them or do you have to find the clients yourself, and is it only at a certain time in your training you can do them"

CBI does help although will not find clients for you. There is a section in the course specifically on finding clients giving ideas on things you can do to build your business. Your trainer (assigned to you at the beginning of your training) is always there for suggestions, ideas and support. We provide an email discussion list for all students - students often ask there for ideas on how to build their business. CBI also provides find a doula (www.findadoula.com) where CBI students and graduates can list a premium advert for free, including a description of their business, a website addressand a photo of themselves. You can do your evaluation births at any time AFTER you start your training.

"Do you recieve any paperwork for your course or is it all online ? What about reading and research materials ?? Are these required at all ? Oh one last thing, can you do more courses through them when you are finished your Doula course ?"

CBI provides written student manuals. These are sent to you once your course payment is complete. While waiting for the written manuals, all student materials are available on the student website. Online readings are linked to the manuals. There are no compulsory reading materials and the reading list (doula students read 3 books, childbirth educator read 5) contains hundreds of books for you to choose from. CBI currently has the doula and childbirth educator courses. Later this year we will be including a Lactation Counsellor and a Postpartum Doula course [update: these courses are now available]. We are also working on the Advanced training modules and hope to launch them later this year [update: a course focused on building and growing your business is now available in the advanced course offerings called Get More Clients!].

"I was worried abit about the business side of the course though as it is primarily American based too."

CBI is international rather than American based. Our trainers are from Australia, New Zealand, UK, Canada and America. I was the original author of the course and my background is Australia, New Zealand and the UK, and I have been living in Asia for the past 10 years. The business section of the course is information on building your business so it can be applied wherever you are living. Currently the course and website uses US spelling - this is why I think many people believe it to have an American slant. We have gradually been adding more to the site to emphasize how international it is - we currently have doula and childbirth educator students in 43 [update; as of Dec 2009 we now have students in 65 countries] countries. We will soon be launching a UK version of the site which will have UK spelling [update: now available].

If anyone has any questions about CBI we are more than happy to help. Our customer support team can be reached through Maggie at mjordan@childbirthinternational.com. There is also lots of information on the website for CBI at www.childbirthinternational.com and the free course materials that are offered at www.wannabeadoula.com.

Nikki Macfarlane
Childbirth International

Nikki, thank you so much for answering my questions. It is very much appreciated. I will be paying for and starting my first module this week.

Wish me luck :)

Thank you Nikki :D
I enrolled last week and I've started my course, and so far I'm really impressed! I'm enjoying it so much.
Thanks again :)

Hi girls,

I have recently enrolled in the OB Doula Course and am about to start the first Module. I am just wondering how you ladies are going with the CBI course??? Is it as you expected it???

Personally i chose the OB course as i was a bit hesitant handing over money to an international organisation. I suppose i prefer the Australian organisation as a safe gaurd. Not saying that CBI are dodgy or anthing. Just my personal preference.

Anyways, would love to hear how you are all going....

Hi Sara

I loved it. Never had a single drama with CBI and my trainer (Sandy) is awesome. By the time I was nearly through the theory work I felt really confident to start talking to mums, I was really happy with how thorough the course was it covered everything I wanted/needed to know. I have my evaluation births coming up soon and then I'll be finished woohoo!
Good luck with your course.

I have been with CBI for ages and love them to bits. As much support as I could use and I have just signed on for a CBE course now too.
I have never had a regret. I have met Nikki and Sandy and they are wonderful wise women.

Hey guys!
I've recently started my training with CBI(im doing birth and postpartum doula, and childbirth ed), I think the main reason I choose it over the others was there was more I had to do, I know it sounds odd, but I guess I just wanted as much information/experience I could get. Plus they are very student friendly!, you get a trainer/mentor you can ask anything too, there are message groups etc.. and there are other courses you can do later to expand your knowledge. I was a bit concerned that it was american, but they are world wide and have trained people in so many different countries it didn't make a difference (except converting the price to aussie $)

Good luck in your training guys! with whoever you decide to go with!

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I posted this in another thread but thought I would give it it's own. Just to see if I get some answers this way.

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Hi this is Shannon Ryan,

Im new to bellybelly. Ihave 2 children aged 1 & 3 & am working ptime in a huge public hosp in Shepparton country vic. I am looking into doing a Doula course. I have found a course in Sydney called Australian Doula College, it is a 20 week course also offering correspondence. It is expensive I think $1980 but i think this course seems great. I have looked also at the CI course and although less expensive I am unsure of this one. Hey what is the OB course. I need some help before i fork out lots of money. Is OB by correspondence??
SHAN

Hi Shannon,

Welcome to Belly Belly!

The OB course is Optimum Birth. This coursed is offered via correspondence. They also have an Advanced Doula Course which is run down in NSW.

I started with OB but have decided to change over to CBI. There was nothing in particular that was wrong with OB i just found it hard to read from the computer rather than having a hard copy in front of you. Plus there is a lot more support and information provided through CBI.

I have heard of the Australian Doula College (FKA - Birth Central). The course is much more expensive than CBI or OB. I have not met anyone on BB that has done the course yet though. There could be 1 or 2 ppl floating around. I sure one of the other girl will be abl to let you know. It might even be worth creating your own thread and asking if anyone has done it.

Congratulations on deciding to become a Doula. I wish you all the bes of luck with it. There is much support for Doulas here on Belly Belly.

Take Care!

Thanks so much for getting back to me Sara,

I have spent nearly all day doing my homework on CBI and I think this course is the way im heading. What stage of the course are you up too? I have 2 friends who are midwives where i work & they think this is wonderful. (sorry im at work now so imtrying to keep it simple, pls get back to me. Ta)

Shan

No worries!

I have'nt stated the CBI course yet but i have completed Module 1 of the OB course.

Its great that you have support from the midwives where you work.

I'm currently studying with Australian Doula College. They are expensive yes but i find the course is quite good. however i will be also doing CBI once im finished as it covers other subjects ADC does not so i think i will benefit from doing both.

Hi Shan
I'm in Rutherglen and I am offering my services to the Border region.I'm doing my course through OB and I have 2 modules to go.
Welcome to the world of doula-ing.