From Passion to Profession: Key Lessons for Upcoming Doulas

Being a doula is more than just a profession; it's a calling. Over the past nine years, I've learned invaluable lessons that have shaped my approach to this deeply rewarding career. Here, I share three key insights about being a doula and entrepreneur in the birthing space.

1. Passion Meets Profession: Understanding the Value of Doula Work

The role of a doula is rooted in a passion for altruism and human thriving, but it’s also important to realize that it should be a sustainable career. Often, people are surprised by the cost of doula services, which typically range from $2,000 to $4,000. However, consider this: a baby shower can easily cost $4,000 to $5,000 for just a few hours, with a venue alone costing $1,000. In contrast, a doula offers ongoing, personalized care and advocacy, deeply understanding you, your family, and your medical history.

A doula’s support is invaluable. The peace of mind and reassurance provided, especially amid alarming maternal health statistics, is priceless. Doulas offer comprehensive packages that may include lactation support, nutritional counseling, pelvic floor physical therapy, childbirth education, and in-person support for both birth and postpartum. Recognizing and asserting the worth of our work ensures that this passion remains a sustainable and fulfilling career.

2. Empowering Advocacy: Equipping Clients to Use Their Voices

While we are ready to advocate, our primary goal is to equip clients to advocate for themselves. Ideally, clients should communicate directly with their healthcare providers. If a client or their partner cannot speak up and I need to intervene, it signals a deeper issue on the provider’s end, because my role is to support, witness, and ensure the plan is followed, while the patient’s choices are prioritized.

Early in my career, I believed it was my job to speak up for clients. It’s easy for new doulas to feel they must fix everything, but our true role is to educate and prepare clients, helping them create their advocacy plans and communicate effectively with practitioners. If necessary, I will step in, but it’s crucial that clients feel empowered to use their own voices.

There have been instances where I had to write letters to hospitals about practitioners not listening or violating human rights. In the birthing space, clients have the right to be heard and respected. They enter the hospital as adults with rights, not as children. Our job is to ensure those rights are respected.

3. Serving with Boundaries: Maintaining Healthy Relationships for the Greatest Impact

One of the most important lessons I've learned is to follow my intuition and maintain healthy boundaries. Early on, I sometimes took on clients out of pressure, but now I see myself as aligned and ready when the right clients come. It's essential that doulas and clients share values and are a good fit for each other to ensure a harmonious and effective partnership.

We have a detailed process for matching with clients to ensure they receive the care they need and deserve. This includes being clear in our contracts and establishing mutual respect and understanding from the outset. Sharing values and being the right fit allows for a supportive, respectful, and successful relationship.

We always welcome feedback and strive to create an environment where open communication is encouraged. This work is deeply personal, and maintaining boundaries is crucial for providing the best care and ensuring the well-being of both the doula and the client. When both parties are aligned in values and expectations, the partnership can truly flourish, allowing us to make the greatest impact.

The journey of being a doula and entrepreneur is both challenging and rewarding. By understanding the value of our work, empowering clients to advocate for themselves, and maintaining healthy boundaries, we can create a sustainable and fulfilling career. These insights are essential not just for doulas but for any entrepreneur in a service-oriented field. Embracing these principles can help you build a business that not only succeeds but also fulfills your passion and purpose.