I can't afford to become a doula...

"I want to get qualified to attend births and postpartum moms, but I can't afford the training"

Have you considered the cost of living how you're currently living?
Have you considered the factors involved in whether or not you get a raise any time soon?
Have you considered the cost of traditional college?

Work from home.
School from home.

Consider your education an investment.
Because it is!  For example, entering the Online Doula Training Distance Program with MaternityWise International allows you to get a certification, and your credentials for less money than you would make after serving 1 client.

ONE CLIENT WILL PAY FOR YOUR EDUCATION!

Plan ahead and save up.
Everything worth pursuing in life is worth planning for.  If you're like a lot of other women, you've been dreaming of becoming a doula or lactation consultant for a long time.  The process of getting certified is not a quick 3 step process.  You'll need patience and commitment to the learning process.  And many organizations have some sort of payment plan.  MaternityWise often has deals and gives discounts like military and cross-certifying doulas.

Another option is to finance it.  
This isn't ever my first choice, but you can make even smaller payments to your credit card than you can to your training organization.  The value of your training might be worth the extra few dollars in interest in the long run.  Oh yeah, and you can pay off the balance in full as soon as you have been paid by your first client!

Do a Fundraiser.
Use GoFundMe.com or another online organization to help you raise the money for your training.
Are you good at cooking?  Hold a bake sale.  

Have stuff around the house?  Spring Cleaning -> eBay or garage sales
Sell your Doula services or birth classes in advance
Write a letter to friends and family members, explain what you need, and why and ask for a donation or a loan.

Where there is a will, there is a way.  You will find it if you want to.  

People sitting on their couch, complaining about not having money are NOT the ones who are out there changing the world.  I hate to hear women limit themselves with the money excuse.  Stop letting money be the excuse why you haven't chased your dreams!  If you have the will, you WILL find a way!  Brainstorm, pray and go for it!

Blessings,

Anne

I can't afford a doula... :(

"I want a doula but I can't afford it."

You may have thought that yourself.

Or you may be a doula who has heard that from women who really want to hire you, but they don't believe their budget allows for it.

This issue isn't about dollars.

This is about perceived value.

Is it common in your community for women to hire a doula for labor, birth or postpartum?

Ask yourself these questions:
  - How many women in my community find a Doula as a helpful part of their birth team?
  - Are postpartum Doulas used? Do women know they exist or what they do?
  - How do women find a Doula in our community? 

Doulas are not just for women who want a natural childbirth. Doulas are for women who want continuous emotional and physical support for their birth and also during the postpartum transition to parenthood.

There is a Doula for every mother out there!

Doulas are a vital tool to moms no matter where or how they give birth. Imagine emotional support from a Doula who has gotten to know you throughout your pregnancy. She is there to encourage you as things go just the way you want or keep you calm and help you to understand all your options as things change and you have to make decisions. 

She is a woman who has most likely given birth before and because of that she can empathize with you as you bring your own baby into this world. The physical support, comfort measures and pain relief in labor comes in many different ways, it can be at home during the early stages of labor, helping you and your partner work through each contraction, helping you into the tub, birth ball, shower, applying counter pressure as you need, massaging your back, neck, jaw or arms, helping move you into optimal positions to help "spin" your baby if they are in a bad position causing painful back labor, being there to support you when it is time to push, helping you and your partner understand the stages of labor that you are going through and offering assurance for this special event.

Perhaps you need a quiet presence to support you, perhaps you need a loud coach. A Doula can be all of these things, that is what a Doula does. She supports you exactly how you need to be supported to give birth how you want.

And afterward, she will support your personal style of parenting. She will gently teach you how to care for your newborn and support your intuition and instincts when it comes to feedings, learning sleep solutions and dealing with gas, colic or other bumps along the way.

Doulas come from a variety of backgrounds and doula training programs.  Some are in-person workshops that last several days, some are online doula training programs.

So the question:  

How much do you value a doula's support?

If you know what a doula does and you recognize your need for her care, most women will find a way to get the money to pay for it.  

Here are a few suggestions so that you can get the support you desire during labor, birth and postpartum:

1. Fundraise.

     Ask friends and family members to donate to your "doula fund"

2. Sell stuff.

     Surely you have things around the house that you could put on eBay or Craig's List?

3. Shower Gift Suggestion.

     Many clients I've had in the past had an additional "joint" shower gift from all attendees.

4. Talk to your insurance company.

     This requires a bit of tenacity, to demand it be covered.

     You'll also need to hire a doula who can help you with insurance claims.

5. Look into Flex Spend Accounts / Health Spend Accounts.

     These will often cover a doula's services 100%.  You just need to ask your HR dept.

If you want a doula, you deserve to have one.  It may take some creativity on your part, but it's possible.  If you're a doula (or a parent) and you want to know more about insurance reimbursement for doula services, MaternityWise has a training JUST for you.  

Call me to find out more. 952-457-6506

Inspired to find a way for all things,

Nothing is impossible!

Blessings,

Anne

annecwj@gmail.com 

Breastfeeding Help and Lactation Support Consultant

When a mother first gives birth, it doesn't matter how many books or videos she has learned from, she will need to intuitively begin to nurture and nourish her newborn according to how her baby responds and how her body provides.  Sometimes, this comes very naturally...  The baby latches on well with very little effort on either party's part.  Sometimes this comes with a little work and encouragement.  Sometimes it seems to not work at all.

Have you considered the vastly important role of the Lactation Consultant?
Like doulas, there are many different "stripes" of breastfeeding support in existence. The doula and lactation training organization that I am with has a program called the Lactation Support and Educator program.  (yes, this appears to be a shameless plug!)


This program is fantastic, because it is so unique: 
Lactation Support & Educator
It's the only program in existence that offers 2 facets:
1. it specifically equips doulas to support breastfeeding moms who have literally, minutes ago, just -given birth.  We are there for that first latch, right?  What if it doesn't go perfectly????  We need to know how to help!
2. to teach breastfeeding 101 classes to the expecting and newly postpartum mother and her partner.

As doulas, labor and postpartum, we usually see mom at least once after the birth as well.  We may be that first line of action when the baby isn't breastfeeding well.  After going through this course, not only can you help to avoid a possible "failure to thrive" scenario, but you'll be rounding out and adding value to your business model offerings.

If we are not the Gold Star of Lactation Support (and by that, I mean IBCLC), how can we possibly achieve the big claim I made about avoiding a failure to thrive scenario?
Well, we are trained to recognize when a latch is normal and we can help babies to achieve a good, productive latch while breastfeeding, that helps them get the most milk at each feeding.  If we find that after working with a couple, the latch is still really not happening, or there is a possible problem such as a tongue tie, or baby is truly not gaining weight, or we notice the jaundice increasing, we can help a mom get medical treatment sooner than later.  This is important, because while new moms might have a "hunch" that something is wrong, they don't always know what, why or how to respond.

I will be in San Francisco, Atlanta, Boston and many other cities to help train women who want to be Doulas and Lactation Support & Educators.  MaternityWise is also looking to add Trainers to their team, so if you are interested in either of these options, please get in touch.  I'd love to hear from you and I would love to meet you in person!

Hugs,
Anne
952-457-6506
annecwj@gmail.com

How to Become a Doula - Step 1.

Women naturally want to support one another in pregnancy, birth and during the postpartum phase.  Still, with our Western, disconnected, non-communal mindset, we have a hard time figuring out how to get involved without being too involved or helping enough without appearing obnoxious.  haha

I get asked all the time, "Where do I start?"

Well, get some training.  that is step 1.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of women out there who put the badge on their chest of "I am a DOULA" but they really don't understand or know how to serve.  What they want to be is an advisor, a consultant.  And that is very needed!  It's OK!!  It really is!  

However, moms need nonjudgemental, unconditional love first, practical service helps next, and our gentle, guiding knowledge (read: advice) last.  So if you've got a lot of wisdom to share, good!  It's needed!!!  Still, navigating the emotions and perceptions of a tender, vulnerable mother is something that MOST of us need a little guidance on, ourselves.  

Where can you find the best doula training?  Simple.  There are a lot of organizations out there providing trainings.  You'll want to make sure the training you receive is of the top-tier quality though.  It's integral to the success of your business and the impact (positive or negative) that you will have on the mothers you come into contact with.  Imagine what the family would say about you, when you're gone, if you've unintentionally made the mother feel badly about something, or you gave advice and it backfired.  What if you gave advice and the baby or mothers'  health suffered for it...?  It happens.  

You'll earn a bad reputation and you will have spent money to get trained, and have wasted it.

You don't want that to happen to you!  Get trained AND finish your certification!  Parents are getting wise to ask if you're just "trained" or attended a workshop, or if you're actually CERTIFIED.  They know the difference and it matters.

The next thing you want to know about your training organization is if they will help you create and grow your business.  Will they help you become successful?  We will discuss building and growing a doula business next week.  :)

Follow this blog (click on the right) and you'll receive the next posts in this series right to your email.

If you're interested in knowing about my experience with training under several different organizations over the years, give me a call.  I will be happy to tell you what I found to be pros and cons of each organization, as well as the organization I found a home with.  :)

Have a great week!

Anne Croudace, CLD, CPD, CLDT, CPDT, CLSE

952-457-6506

Mommy Guilt

Dear Mothers,

You are not bad, defunct, broken, ignorant or unnecessary!

You are good, selfless, strong, intuitive, gentle and NEEDED!

I wish I could write a letter to all expecting mothers.  A letter they would read, and believe, and base their self-worth on.  If only all mothers knew how important they are.  If only they grasped their innate wisdom and trusted themselves more than the forums on the most frequented websites.  If only they really stood in their strength and walked tall in their ability.

Imagine what a beautiful, cheered up, gentle-ways world we would live in, if mothers were given their power back...

I found this fun and inspiring website and it reminded me about the common phenomena of "Mommy Guilt"  Please check out her article: http://theglamoroushousewife.com/2014/03/motherhood-cult-guilt/?body= http://theglamoroushousewife.com/2014/03/motherhood-cult-guilt/

and share with your mommy friends who need to be empowered and encouraged.  :)

Use this icon above for your Facebook profile image, to show your support for all the birthing mamas out there who need to know birth DOES matter and they are not crazy for wanting the best experience possible for their little ones and themselves.

Start the new year out with a promise to yourself, to make a change.

Love,
Anne
http://www.tranquilseasons.com 
http://www.maternitywise.com

Pregnancy and Birth are Normal Functions of the Female Body

Pregnancy and birth is a normal physiological function of the female body.  In general, the female body is as capable of pregnancy and birth as it is breathing, digesting food or passing urine.  It is logical to assume that interference is not necessary unless and until a problem presents itself, and not unless or until there is evidence that the body’s self-correcting restorative capabilities are not meeting the need of the problem.

It is also very important to remember that the variety and ability of the female body to conceive, carry and birth a baby constitute a large range of “normal”.  For example: Just because one woman labors best in a certain position does not mean that all women labor best in that position.  That “best” position may not suit the same woman in subsequent labors, either.  The ways in which they can “get the job done” is as varied as the women themselves and the babies they carry. 

Everything in a woman’s life changes when she gets pregnant.  Her body’s changes are the most prominent because we can look at her and it's right there.  However, change is also present in the way she sees and thinks about herself and the world around her - as well as the way the world sees and thinks about her.  The mothering instinct is quite strong and predominant in some, while it is more subdued or delayed in others.  

No matter what the mother thought or felt about herself before, she will now envision herself with another person in her life depending on every breath and calorie - unlike any relationship before it.  That transition will manifest in beautiful ways when she is supported properly during pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period.  But hey, you already knew that!   Congratulations!

Have you ever considered becoming a doula?  Are you good at smoothing things over and keeping things calm when others around you are freaking out?  You might be a doula on the inside.  :) 

Our job as normalizing anchors…

We as doulas are meant to be a sounding board for mothers.  They will usually tell us how they are feeling, in detail.  We are so lucky to get a glimpse into the intimate part of a woman’s journey, whether this is her first or 10^th pregnancy.  

It is always our responsibility to have an accepting, nurturing attitude toward the mother.  I call it “putting on love” toward her.  As we do this, we can help to normalize things she is concerned about or may cause alarm in others when truly it’s not a crisis.  She needs someone to be sturdy, and someone she can count on to provide her with reassurance.  

Tell her all you know, while focusing on the positive, and being realistic about the negative – that women have been growing babies and giving birth for eons, and she’s not broken or strange.  One thing I say is to look around, the world has been peopled!  

You’re not the first, and you probably won’t be the last to experience ____________.

Doulas are not all the same, but a well-trained, professional doula who has the integrity of being certified is going to have the skills to nurture and keep you calm when labor gets difficult, and all the times before that too.  

Be picky about who you choose, and remember...  Experience (in years and number of families served) is valuable and it's is worth paying for.

May your birth be blessed with peace and rest.

Anne Croudace