Category: Mentorship

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Mentorship Uncategorised

Looking to Learn? How Knowing Your Learning Style Can Help You Succeed!

Looking to learn!?
Have you been out of school for a bit?
Well good news!
Knowing your learning style can make things a whole lot easier.

I’ve been immersed in the birth world now for over 6 years now, as an Educator, Doula and Mentor.   I remember working towards my doula and my educator certification and found myself spending countless hours staring at a page of words and not retain a thing.   When I found myself in a classroom I would find I only retained a small percentage of what I was being taught.  I was frustrated.  Here I was, mid thirties…FINALLY knowing what I wanted to do with my life and I was terrified!  Scared of “class work,” worried about failing tests, and not feeling I would able to get the accreditation to further my career.

Before beginning my journey I had been a stay at home mom of three, running a day care and working part time at a restaurant.  I didn’t leave a book smart career to become a doula… I left “mom” mode, meal prep and nursery rhymes…my brain was on overdrive most days!   My own self doubt nearly prevented me from moving forward!

But I’m so glad I did move forward.  Eventually I learned to walk the walk and not just talk the talk!

My recipe for success was having the right support alongside me and taking the time to learn what my learning style was.

Take a look at the learning style graphic above…did any of them grab your attention? How do you find out which one you are? Here’s a good reference:

https://www.thoughtco.com/three-different-learning-styles-3212040

and a bit more about different types: https://www.udutu.com/blog/what-are-adult-learning-styles-and-how-do-they-affect-elearning/

Many of us are a combination.

Let me share some tidbits that worked for me, and can maybe help you on your learning journey as well:

  1. Change up your work space:  Maybe on one day you will work best outside, in the basement, at an office desk, or in a library.  Once I even worked in my trailer while camping!  Key points: recognize that you need to avoid interruptions and it may take awhile to get into your groove.
  2. Doodle and/or listen to instrumental music: I needed to keep my hands busy or stimulate another sense to help me retain info.  Sound familiar?
  3. On that same note: I needed to handwrite my study notes. I got in a bad habit of typing everything on my computer or iPhone – it just wasn’t the same! There may be a a huge mental disconnect when you do that.
  4. Move: Stretch, get fresh air, work at a standing desk, sit on an exercise ball.
  5. Dedicated time and accountability: If I didn’t get work done first thing in morning or late at night, it wasn’t happening – I’m a squirrel – everything in the middle distracted me (hence needing different work spaces from time to time).  Schedule your work as an appointment and stick to it!  Buddy up with someone – there were times I would completely and mentally shut down because I would second guess an answer or project.  I needed a few different people on standby to walk me through something or be my “butt kicker.”  We have lots of buddies at Doula Canada!

So, in my examples above, which learning styles did you connect with?  A little bit of all of them right?!

Take a moment and identify what works for you.  See what learning style you think you might be.  Look back at the times you needed to learn something – what worked, what didn’t?

When you are struggling, buddy up!
You are not alone and simple tweaks to your daily habits can break bad habits and keep you moving closer to your goals!  We are here to help!

Jump into our closed Doula Canada Facebook group or our Learning Centre forums and ask a question, send us an email, call us on our toll free number, and…

Stay tuned for more information on a mentorship opportunity with Doula Canada (details coming in October)!

About the author:

Helena McMann has been a Certified Doula and Educator for over 6 years.
She is currently an an Admin Support Person and Student Mentor for Doula Canada.
To date Helena has supported over 200 families through her work as a doula and educator.
We’re a big fan of Helena and all the wonderful things she does for our community!

 

Categories
About Us Business Labour Doula Members Mentorship

Not all Doulas are created equal.

Recently some Doula Canada members have had their hands full with comments or suggestions that “not all doulas are created equal.”

For many years Doula Canada has prided itself on our efforts to build a unique, and uniquely Canadian, doula training and membership for our International members.  We haven’t felt the need to justify our curriculum or our presence to others because, well, “if you haven’t bought the book how do you know it wasn’t worth the read?”

However, as our #doulanation continues to run into the discourse about “what makes a good doula” we feel it is important to write our position on the “not all doulas are created equal” suggestions floating about (a-boot, just to clarify).

Here are 7 reasons why Doula Canada doulas and childbirth educators are NOT created equal:

  1.  Super Selfhood:  Our members come from diverse communities, have diverse backgrounds, and bring diverse expectations about what they would like to glean from their learning experience with Doula Canada.  We respect this like WHOA!  No cookie cutting happening over here.  Pure unequal awesomeness happening!
  2. Equal ideas?….not happening!  Our community often debates new policies, international perinatal experiences, and curriculum updates.  This keeps us all on our toes, which is vibrant and exciting.  Imagine a day where everyone agreed with you?  BORING!  *unless you have small children, then that would be a miracle!*
  3. Collaboration acclaimation:  Our members are often the first to give praise where praise is due, and sometimes that means to Doula Canada, other members, or even those who are in direct competition with their business.  Say what?!  Our doulas are eager to partner with other perinatal workers, regardless of make or model.   But praise can be unequal…. that does happen sometimes!   *Insert the doula Jeep wave*
  4. No person left behind!  Recently a member felt ostracized by the suggestion that “Doula Canada leaves their students to fend for themselves.”  This is quite the fancy tale.  Our team of administrators, instructors, provincial liaisons, and peer community are just a phone call, email, message, or coffee date away.  But alas, not all members need our assistance in the same way, and this makes them unequal in their needs and wants.  That’s ok too!
  5. Name that Doula.  Some doulas love the history of our title, while others prefer “practitioner,” “support person,” or “badass new parent helper.”  Whatever floats your doula/ CBE boat!  Our titles do not have to be equal (or have all the same letters behind them), but they should have a strong foundation of community support, continued learning, and movement forward as a common professional voice.   Those who are unequal in their alphabet ownership should not be seen as unequal for it, they were unequal to begin with… they were themselves!
  6. They make all the decisions themselves.  Ack!  Our members choose their books, their educational units, the clients they work with…. they “own” it.  That makes them unequal for sure!
  7. They get the last word.  Our doulas final assignment is a reflection paper about their journey.  This helps Doula Canada to grow and to prosper from our communities feedback.  Each reflection is personal and confessional.  Totally unequal… but equally beautiful.

To claim that someone is unequal can be hurtful and questioning.  However equivalency does not make you a better doula or childbirth educator.  Distinctiveness and commitment makes you a good doula.  Passion and purpose.  Community and collaboration.

At Doula Canada we recognize our doulas are all operating and offering compassionate support at different stages, with different modalities, with different needs, and with different purpose.

At Doula Canada our purpose and intention is not to be equal….it is to be accepting.

If our doula training and organization is “not created equal” that’s perfect!

Doula Canada is unique
Our members are incredibly trained.
Our community is filled with passion and purpose.

*high fives all around*

~ Image:  “The Three Graces,” circa 1503-1505, by Raphael.  The three women in the painting may represent stages of development of woman, with the girded figure on the left representing the maiden (Chastitas) and the woman to the right maturity (Voluptas),though other interpretations have certainly been advanced.  Each are unequal in their development and experiences, but equally beautiful and strong.   In mythology the three figures have often been told to depict youth, mirth, and elegance.

Categories
Lifestyle Mentorship

Moving Provinces – “Time to Pull Up the Big Girl Panties”

Back in April 2017, I got this idea from a friend about doula training.  The alarms in my head started blaring and my fingers frantically raced across the keyboard trying to find a training in Newfoundland.  As I typed and erased and typed and erased some more, I finally typed in something that google understood, and Doula Training Canada came up on my screen with a training 2 weeks from that day.  Now tell me that isn’t fate!

 

To make matters even a little more chaotic, we had a trip booked to go to Halifax for a weekend getaway for my birthday the weekend before the training.  So I put on my “Please babe, I’ll love you forever! Can I please have another birthday gift and sign up to become a doula (insert puppy dog eyes and pouty lips)”.  To which he replied, “What the heck is a doula?”  So you can imagine how that conversation went, but he is supportive and never says I can’t do something, so off I went to register.

 

Things were happening in my family during that time as well.  My daughter was having a rough time in life, adjusting to a blended family, anxiety, and just not fitting in the best at school.  So we were mulling over the idea of moving and giving her, and us as a family, a fresh start.  So finding a new passion and our trip to Halifax really solidified our choice and it was that month that we set our eyes on the new love in my life and a new province to call home.

If you are reading this and thinking of moving while owning your own business, it isn’t easy, I get that!  But follow your dreams.  Daily I had so many feelings.  Feelings of guilt for taking my children away from their family and friends and wanting to make a clean start, excited for the possibilities ahead, stressed about whether we could afford to try this, sad at the thought of possibly failing, and so incredibly refreshed that for once in my life, I had truly felt like I had found what I was meant to do.  It was hard at first!  Then a friend said to me “Shandelle.  It is time to pull up those big girl panties. You were meant to do this.  So many times in your life fate has taken over and this is one of those times.  But you can do this. And if it fails you know where home is.”  Thank you to that friend for reminding me!

What is my top tip for people making the decision to move to a new community and begin again?

Do the research. 

Start making list of people you need to connect with when you get to where you need to go.  Can you contact them before you go?  What does your province need in order to be a registered business? Talk to other people in the area who will be working in the same field.  Can you partner, feed off each other or just be a rock to lean on? 

Do I miss Newfoundland?  Every. Single. Day.  We are making a new life here.  My doula life is in full swing with birth and postpartum clients, I am a part time admin assistant, and I am also Provincial Liaison for Doula Canada.  My husband is settled in his new role at work, my daughter is finding her way and making strides in becoming a beautiful young woman and we are beginning to find our new normal.  Moral of the story?  Pull up the big girl panties and follow your dreams! 

 

ABOUT SHANDELLE:

Shandelle is the owner of Blossom and Birth Doula Services in the Halifax, Nova Scotia and surrounding area.

She has a passion for supporting her community and as such sits on a number of boards and committees that are directed toward maternal and infant well being.

At Doula Canada we are proud to call her a team member – she’s our Provincial Liaison for Nova Scotia and for the time being PEI.

Check out her services at Blossom and Birth Doula Services

Categories
Mentorship

Top 5 Doula Bag Items

“What should I have in my doula bag?” 

As seasoned doula trainers this question presents itself at nearly all of our labour and postpartum doula trainings.

Feeling prepared to support clients helps to build confidence, but will also build trust from your clients and longevity as a doula.

We often speak of ‘assertive language skills’ at Doula Canada, and having a rock’in doula bag is a perfect example of showing off your assertive professional preparedness in any situation!

Here are our Top 5 Doula Bag items for any labour or postpartum doula on the go:

  1.  Fuzzy socks.  Plain and simple.  Regardless of the environment you are supporting clients, having a pair of super cozy socks that you can pull out and on is a great addition to your doula bag.  Clients will remember that feeling of having you pull them on for them after welcoming their baby, or during a long feeding session.  Plus, if you need a change of socks in a pinch (hello, spontaneous rupture of membranes all over your feet!) then you know there is an extra pair in there with your name on them!
  2. Affirmation cards.  We are big on positive power at Doula Canada and an interesting deck of positive affirmation phrases or words is a perfect way to change a “not-so-sure” into a “sure-I-can.”  We asked our Doula Canada members to come with the phrases and words on our Doula Canada deck, but there are many awesome options out there that may call your name.  Pull them out during a clients labour to practice present moment thoughts, or introduce them to clients during postpartum transitions.  Believe you can…. and you will!
  3. Roller Ball or Tennis Ball.  Nothing fancy here.  Having something that can smoothly move beneath your hand while offering a client some gentle touch/ massage will provide comfort for all parties involved.  The less expensive option is a 4 pack of tennis balls that can be disposed of, but we really love the rollerball options often found at larger department stores or fitness stores ($8-$15 generally).  Find something that fits snuggly in the palm of your hand and allows for movability and washability (sanitizing after use is an important step to take after each client use).
  4. $20 in funds.  There is nothing more frustrating than finishing an all-nighter support with your client and then finding out that the hospital debit or parking lot machines are broken.  Having a spare $20 in your bag to call a cab or find a location to make change is key!  There may be times as a postpartum doula that you meet your client in a location outside their home (i.e. doctors office) and need money for parking or coffee (perhaps your debit card was left at home!).  Having an additional few dollars stowed away in your doula bag is a great way to ensure you get to where you need to go 24/7.
  5. Something of power.  What brings you energy or reminds you of why you started this compassionate journey to support others?  We often think of doula bags and think “what can I bring for my client,” but taking care of you is important too!  Perhaps you have a Mala, a picture, a stone from a beach, or a mantra that you can put away in your bag for those moments you need a boost.  Our Director at Doula Canada has a heart-shaped stone she once pulled out of Lake Superior.  The stone has been pulled out and pocketed during long births or difficult experiences.  It has been held by dozens of clients who have also felt connected to this simple, yet powerful “tool.”  What brings you clarity, strength, and power?  THAT is a perfect thing to include you your doula bag.So, there you have it, our Top 5 Doula Bag Items we wouldn’t be without.Leave a comment with items you love to have in your Doula Bag.  We would love to hear from you!
Categories
Mentorship

Provincial Liaisons your link to Doula Canada

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Canada is a big country. One that we are very proud to serve. As Doula Canada grows we see the importance of connecting with the unique needs of each province as best we can.  We also know that as a organization we can only go so far with our reach.

This is where the Provincial Liaison (PL)  position comes in.

The goal of each PL is to be an ambassador for Doula Canada and a liaison for the perinatal community, seeking and assessing the needs of their province.

Now that they have settled in we wanted to take a moment and introduce you to the current PLs. We are so grateful they are here.

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British Columbia Meet Caylan

What brought you to work with Doula Canada?
I fell in love with Doula Training Canada when I started my training in May 2017.  It is by far the best, most life changing experience I have stepped into.  I want to see doulas become the norm at births, empower women, and make help make birth beautiful; DTC is full of supportive, talented women with the same goals.

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Alberta Meet Laura
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What brought you to work with Doula Canada? 
I am the type of person when I get involved with something it is usually because I am passionate about it. Entering the Doula world I found myself really wanting others to share in my excitement.  When I found the opportunity to share my excitement and experience with Doula Canada with people in my province I jumped on the chance.
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Saskatchewan meet Carma
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What brought you to work with Doula Canada?    Finding my passion for birth after having my first baby has brought me to Doula training Canada. I began to research where I could fit in with my new found love and saw Childbirth Education as a good outlet for me. I love to help anyone and everyone, and now is my chance to take what I learn from birth and turn it into Education for others!

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Manitoba meet Kira

What brought you to work with Doula Canada? 
I have a passion for helping others explore and actualize what a healthy and happy life means for themselves and their family. This includes how they nourish their bodies with food but also with lifestyle practices. After the birth of my son, i realized that how we are birthed and give birth to our family has a greater impact on our health and well-being than many of us realize. This inspired me to add “Doula” to my resume!

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Ontario meet Ashley
What brought you to work with Doula Canada?Because they are an amazing organization! Doula Canada stands with you and grows with you throughout your entire journey and they have built a family that i am proud to be apart of and represent. They have showcased an outstanding support system for the Doulas, CBE and all students under them that I was honoured to be apart of the organization and all that we stand for.

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Nova Scotia Meet Shandelle
What brought you to work at Doula Canada ?

The family like relationships and moral boosting, uplifting conversations happening in the peer group are exactly what I needed.

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New Brunswick meet Manon
What Brought you to Doula Canada? 
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I am passionate about supporting women in preventative holistic health, which brought me to certifying with Doula Canada. Sharing my passion with my community is so important.

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Newfoundland and Labrador meet Samantha
What brought you to work at Doula Canada?
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I love the support and sense of family and I wanted to be a part of that ! ​

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Categories
About Us Mentorship

Oh hey there 2018… We have been waiting for you!

 

As the Director of Doula Canada I am beyond excited for what is to come in 2018; and for our great Doula nation!

After all, is there anytime more inspiriting than turning the page on a new calendar and peeking at the 365 blank days ahead?

I think not!

The excitement of those blank pages lies in the knowledge that we will be welcoming new members, graduating new alumni, supporting new families, having deep conversations, and pushing forward with the dream of doula support and education for any family who cares to share in the benefits our field can offer.

Our Doula Canada calendar for the New Year is ambitious; and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

For 2018 our goal is to pair opportunity and ambition with holistic fulfillment.  We plan to do this by offering programs never before offered by a doula training certification and membership organizations, creating new provincial/territorial initiatives to strike up communication and awareness about our field, and finding time for some fun too!

Because…

We love fun at Doula Canada (our 4th pillar, right after compassion, communication, and chill the eff out).

You will soon notice a new website where students will be easily found by potential clients in their respective communities.  We will be launching our online Learning Centre where students can continue to learn through course specific modules, free templates, video, audio, and online discussion forums.  We will be hosting our first ever Annual General Meeting and Team Retreat, making plans for Purely Doula retreats across Canada, and hosting weekly Facebook Lives where you can connect with experts in their fields.

This year we have also partnered with Tynan Rhea to offer her Sex & Birth training – a 8 week online training that is sure to open your eyes to this important topic in new parents live.  Wait, there’s more!  We are also incredibly humbled to be welcoming Barb Matteucci, alumni and now Program Coordinator for our national Infant and Pregnancy Loss training (dates in most provinces for 2018).

Labour, Postpartum, Educator, Loss, Continued Learning…. and more!

For the new year our team will also be announcing non-profit goals we have set as an organization.  A percentage of each registration in any core course after February 1 will be donated back to a provincial/ territorial charity that works to support new families or infants in some capacity.  We are grateful for your support Canada, and now we are choosing to use the opportunities you have granted us to give back.  Keep your eyes open for further details and our first provincial charity announcement (rotated each month to a new province or territory).

So, as we enter a new year across this beautiful terra firm remember that there are 12 new chapters, 365 new chances, 1440 minutes each day, and thousands of Doula Canada members here to help you along the way.

This will be a good year.

Shaunacy
​Director, Doula Canada

Categories
Mentorship

What happens when a Doula crosses the room?

 

What happens when a Doula crosses a room?

CONFIDENCE!

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 Doula Canada recently attended the Birth & Beyond conference in London, Ontario.  Birth professionals from across Canada came to build skills and awareness on hot topics circumventing the North American scene… oh, and to rub shoulders with the “who’s who” of birth and baby related goodness.  Hey there Ina May!

There were many inspiring moments at the conference; when you’re in the same room as Gena Kirby or Ina May Gaskin it is difficult not to be inspired!  *fan-girl moment of the year!*

However, the Doula Canada team recognized something more about this event and its importance to our students and alumni.  What was wonderful about Birth & Beyond was its ability to create confidence in our Doula Canada students and alumni.

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 One of the keys to success and competency as a Doula or Childbirth Educator in Canada = confidence.

Doula Canada knows that feeling self-assured is an important player in feeling ready and able to instill those same qualities in the expecting or new families we support.  More “I know what to do” and less “I’m really not sure what the hell I’m doing!”

At Birth & Beyond those who were awestruck by being in the presence of some of the great birth minds eagerly walked across the room and shook hands with the persons they were at first uncomfortable approaching.  With confidence.  With stride.  With the knowledge that they, like their mentors, believe in making a difference.  With the recognition that they knew WHAT to do and WHY they were doing it!

At Doula Canada we wholeheartedly work to mentor our students in order that they overcome these insecurities and ROCK their DOULA or CBE CONFIDENCE.

We believe that certification is the first step to pulling those shoulders back as you confidently move towards the “I am a good Doula,” mantra we embrace.

We also believe that challenging you to move forward, despite criticism from other organizations or practicing stakeholders is proof of YOUR CONFIDENCE.  Naysayers gonna hate or, as our favourite famous Jennifer Lawrence so eloquently put it “Don’t worry about the Bitches!”

So whether you are in this Doula or CBE journey with us already, or have been pondering taking the leap to joining our growing DTC family, we encourage you to take those steps confidently.
See those goals across the room and confidently move towards them.  With trust, with belief, with credence, and with conviction (oh look…. synonyms for the word confidence!).So what do you get when a Doula walks across the room?            A confident opportunity.

Are you ready to Doula Canada?

Categories
Business Mentorship

Can Canada employ more Doulas?

Doula Canada takes a look at whether Canada can employ and train more Labour Doulas…

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The Canadian birth and parenting scene is strengthened by organizations and personalities who recognize the difference each province dictates.

We are not homogeneous, and as such our training and practices should be different than certain, ahem, friendly neighbours (“howdy-ho there neighbor!”).

As an organization focused on Canadian birth and perinatal experience we make it Doula Canada’s mission to imbue ourselves in an open discussion with Doulas and Childbirth Educators in each Province and Territory.

We are curious about how others feel in our profession, what is working for them, what are their struggles, and how an organization like DTC can positively encourage those experiences.  ​

One of the main concerns we hear from Doulas across Canada is that the market feels saturated.  Many have shared that they can sometimes feel deflated and unsupported in an economy where Doulas can still be misunderstood.

These comments got our wheels spinning!  Is the Canadian market saturated?  Can training organizations, like ours, sustain themselves as Doulas increasingly certify and support families?

YES.

The answer is that simple.  ​

Can you be a full-time Doula in your community.  Yes.

First, let’s look at the numbers:

In our initial studies we have focused strictly on Labour Doulas, as it’s the most common certification program in our country, and the one we discussed most with Doulas from B.C to Newfoundland.

The Canadian birth rate has increased.  Slowly, but it has still increased (good work little buddy!).  Following the diagram below you can see how many births per a province were registered for 2015/16, and how many Labour Doulas each province could argubly sustain if each Doula were working full-time (48 births a year… which is like, whoa, A LOT!).  Now let’s also consider that some of these Doulas may also be Postpartum Doulas or Childbirth Educators…. or both (full-package perfection!).   Busy Canadian Doulas unite!

The argument that Canada cannot sustain more Doulas, let alone government subsidized or employed Doulas, is false.  In fact, many Provinces (we’re looking at YOU Western Canada) could see tremendous opportunity in this profession!Booking flight….now….ok…..check…. (guilty plug of 2017 training schedule HERE).

So how can YOU success as a Canadian Doula?

At Doula Canada we know that the key to Canadian Doula success for our students and alumni is diversifying their offerings.  Many Doulas and CBEs offer further value added services that offset the slower months of client support.  Workshops or encapsulation, sleep consulting or belly binding,  whatever your jam is, knowing that you have an opportunity to reach potential clients through more than an on-call schedule is an important business PEACE OF DOULA MIND.

Perhaps you may consider diversifying your certifications?  We strongly feel that becoming a Childbirth Educator is a sure-fire way to build any birth/baby related business; you meet families eager for education and then eager for continuous support.  Our expert trainers are living proof!

We also believe that cross-certifying with numerous organizations through your Doula career assists in building expert knowledge, while allowing you to connect with other like-minded Doulas (connection is KEY to success… see HERE)

We’ve seen Doulas and CBEs in communities of less than 40,000 persons THRIVE.

How?

A strong support system, business minded practices for the CANADIAN market of our profession, and EDUCATION.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: our initial studies have shown that Canada can sustain a deeper growth of Doulas, HOWEVER Doulas seem to be more successful when they look to external supports.  This means strong certification agencies, available government or systemic funding for their business and for potential clients, networking opportunities with community stakeholders and yes, even supporting other Doulas.   *insert sound of shock*

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“But I’m not getting enough clients so why would I support other Doulas?”Because it will build your confidence.

It will move YOU, to move FURTHER.

It will keep one snow covered toe in best business practices (like not trash talking the competition!) while the other is off to support the abundance of clients that presents themselves on your (email)doorstep.

It’s also the nice, ahem, Canadian way!

Can Canada sustain more Doulas.  Yes, please!

(And we haven’t even started to chat about Perinatal Support or CBE opportunity…. whoa!).

Are you ready to Doula Canada?

Categories
Members Mentorship

Canadian Doula Olympics!

 

In the Spirit of 2016 Rio Olympics!
Canadian Doulas kickass because…

Have you been watching any of the 2016 Rio Olympics on Facebook (let’s be honest… who watches TV anymore?!).  ​

The inspiring display from our Canadian swim team and Women’s rugby over the past few days has started a fun little conversation about how Canadian Doulas would fare as an Olympic sport (Hello!  We have stamina to stay up for hours on end!) AND about what makes Doula Training Canada unique as a purely Canadian run and focused organization.

Here are some of our student and alumni comments on why Canadian Doulas and DTC are specimens of unique athleticism in the world of Doulas:

“It’s all about community, eh.  A giant Olympic Doula village coast-to-coast 365 days a year!”

“Canadian Doulas are birth athletes!”

“DTC isn’t governed by a large organization.  That’s pretty rad – we haven’t sold our Doula athletes to corporate sponsorship yet!”

“Our “coaches” are wonderful.  *now please give me a pass on my verbal presentation*”

“DTC Doulas are going the distance!”

“Each of our “athletes” brings passion for their “game” and determination for “success” to their clients (sort of like a gold medal of honour around their neck!)”

“Canadian Doulas are worth their weight in Gold.”

“Canadian Doulas look really great in sports gear.  I love my track pants and runners for those long births!”

“We don’t advocate, we empower.  All the families we support are part of a team that build each other up to create strength and unity.”

“Our support goes the distance.  I don’t mean just one end of the country to the other.  I quite literally mean I am learning from a distance.  Self Study for the win!”

“We sit, stand, and squat for thee Canada!  We’re like birth gymnasts!”

Join the DTC Team of Doulas!

Categories
Lifestyle Mentorship

The Juggling Doula  

One of the most common questions we receive at Doula Training Canada by interested registrants and students is…
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HOW DO YOU JUGGLE LIFE AT HOME WITH LIFE AS A DOULA?
As a busy full-time Doula, childbirth educator, national instructor for DTC, business owner, mother-of-two, wife-of-one, and official puppy walker (what was I thinking?!) my life thrives on routine…and maybe a cup of coffee or five!  Balancing an on-call schedule is more easily led when I know who, what and where things are happening if I am called to a birth.  For some unknown reason (*cough* I take on too much) if our household lacks our daily routine life tends to lack équilibre.

Our team have shown that life as a successful full-time Doula and childbirth educator is possible, and it starts with learning how to balance as you juggle.

Here are some things to consider as you learn where Doula life lies in the balance of your life’s journey:

TIME.  How much time can you give to your Doula goals? To networking? Client consults and visits? Updating websites?  Scheduling classes?   Committing time to your Doula or CBE dreams each day is important.   TASK:  Write out your weekly calendar of works, tasks, responsibilities (and a little fun time too!) hour by hour.  How would certification and Doula/ CBE work fit in?  Finding a balance with your perhaps already busy schedule is a great way to start your Doula/ CBE journey!

​INSPIRATION.   Ask yourself “When do I feel most inspired?”  Perhaps this seems like an odd question.  However, if you wake up a 5am itching to get those wheels spinning (no, we aren’t chatting Spin class) then THAT is the time you should devote to your Doula agenda.  Me?  I’m a night owl (hoot) and think, write, create best between 9pm-1am.  THIS  period gives me time balance my thoughts uninterrupted.   And the occasional 3am email – just to keep you all on your toes!  I also find inspiration in our Doula family daily, in conversations with my closest friends, and the odd Pinterest bubble bath solitude (haven’t lost a phone to date!).  ​

SUPPORT.  Picture this:  Me, up on a yoga ball, holding 4+ clients on my shoulders, a stack of paperwork in both hands, two children on each leg, and a furry little black dog doing the “I need to pee” dance on my head.  The ball?  That is my husband, my immediate family, our on-call babysitter, my kickass backup team, the Doula Training Canada team, and our amazing students and alumni across Canada.  I could not, in no way or form, take on the volume of clients and workload I welcome into my life without the balance of a strong support system.  They keep the ball from slipping out from underneath.  I may carry the weight but they keep my feet steady.    IF you were called away in the middle of the night or had a scheduled prenatal class…. who would be there to support the other aspects in your life?  Balance that and you’re pretty much there!
EAT< SLEEP< SMILE <REPEAT.
Self care… this is HUGE as a Doula!  Us mothering types (which we include Doulas under, whether you have a child or not) tend to put others before ourselves and call Doritos dinner if need be.  First, Doritos are not a meal (I know… I’m sorry!).  Running here and there as a Doula or CBE means finding a balanced diet – one that will leave you feeling full and energized.  May I introduce you to my friend breakfast?Second, sleep debt is a real thing and so is anxiety caused by said sleep debt.  Catching some Zzz’s before, after (and maybe even during) our support of clients is OK.  Did you hear that?  It was the bell of epiphany.  Doulas DO NOT need to stay up for 51 hours without sleep.  Would you work at McDonald’s for 8+ hours without a break of some sort.  Nope.  Nope. Nope.  Balancing rest and sleep with Doula work is a priority of doing this work full-time (*confession:  I LOVE sleep).  If you feel anxious about your decision to start your Doula journey or your current certification/ business status, ask yourself, have I got enough sleep lately?  *light bulb moment?*

Lastly, I LOVE my job.  A second does not go by without my feeling grateful for the honour I have been given to work with my clients and all the DTC students and alumni.  This, along with my son telling me he will name his child Jingle one day, makes me smile… A LOT.  Does this work inspire you?  Does it leave you smiling when you book a client, or find an amazing resource for a workshop you’re teaching?  Doula success lies with YOU… and YOU must be happy with the work and experiences ahead. ​

Balancing life as a full-time Doula is possible.  Examine your life at home and reflect on how you can access time, support, inspiration and a healthy lifestyle while you work towards your certification and business goals.  Keep in mind that balance is not an end goal but an on-going process.  There will be moments when you will need to prioritize some things over others and this may take you away from your Doula/ CBE work.  That’s ok!  Be gentle with yourself and recognize that learning to juggle doesn’t often happen in a day.

​Ready to Doula Canada with us?  We would love to have you join our proud Canadian Doula family!

Join DTC Today!