Labor Enabler™ Doula Apprenticeship Program

Want to learn to be a doula? Are you already a doula, but want to run your doula business better? Attend births and learn hands on from an experienced doula!

Thanks so much for your interest!

I am a birth doula – my services are during pregnancy and the entire birth. I have been a doula since 2003 and have attended thousands of births. I am trained by ALACE. Some of the classes I have attended are Birth Arts International, Rebozo, Aromatherapy, CPR. Breastfeeding, Optimal Fetal Positioning, Hypnobabies, Acupressure, HypnoBirthing, Lamaze, and Bradley Method classes. I like to meet with my clients at least 3 times. I am also available to them 24 hours a day for telephone visits. Once they reach 37 weeks, I am on call 24 hours a day. During labor I join the family whenever they like (either at home, in hospital or birth center) and help them labor. I will stay with the family until they are settled and comfortably nursing or really as long as they need. I will do 1-3 follow up visits and they have access to my postpartum support group which meets 2-3 times a month.

I would like to tell you a little about my birthing philosophy. I hope to help all of my clients have their ideal birth, but birth is unpredictable, what may be ideal in planning may just not work when the time comes to have a baby. I am flexible and always think of options to help get my clients closest to their ideal birth. I do not judge their decisions, nor make them for them, but support her and her partner in the decision-making process.

Kathleen Masked

WHO QUALIFIES:

  • New doulas
  • Experienced doulas who want to expand their skill set
  • Serious applicants who can fully commit
  • Advocates, not activists

COMMITMENT:

  • 3 months, 6 months or more – evaluation after 3 months to determine course of action
  • Estimated 2-5 births per month
  • Monday and Wednesday evenings from 3:00pm to when we finish
  • Sunday all day 9:00am-when we finish – these are usually long days with occasional driving
  • At least 1 business day/ week for office work
  • Occasional Tuesday or Thursday days for possible postpartum meetings
  • Some meetings on Fridays for postpartum Support Group 10:00am-1:00pm
  • On call 24/7
  • Book club/bunco groups and parties with clients as scheduled
  • No vacations without approval from Kathleen
  • Commute to The Woodlands / Old Town Spring and all over Houston for births and meetings

PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL AND LOGISTICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Working computer with access to printer
  • RELIABLE transportation and CONSISTENT childcare (if needed)
  • Long hours
  • Endurance – both physical and mental
  • Full squat
  • Flexible temperament
  • Dedication
  • Humility
  • Honesty

SKILLS YOU WILL LEARN:

  • Interview
  • Pre-natal visits:
    • birth-plan
    • aromatherapy
    • what labor looks like
    • how to answer FAQs
    • optimal fetal positioning
    • nutrition
    • heart tones and palpation
    • how to interact with clients
    • natural induction techniques
    • medical induction techniques
    • ripening techniques
    • reassurance techniques
  • Paperwork
  • Contracts
  • Birth-plans
  • Applications
  • How to keep files
  • How to value your services
  • How to develop relationships and advocate with docs, nurses and midwives
  • Marketing consult / webpage overview / how to utilize free marketing / building your word of mouth
  • Maintaining client relationships for long term referrals

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

  • Application required
  • There is required reading and an exit exam
  • I have a lending library that you may borrow from
  • Mandatory interviews and vetting process
  • Fee variance $1000-$5000 financial assistance available

Feel free to reach out for more details

E-Mail: kathleenlaborenabler @ gmail . com
Address: The Woodlands, TX (North of Houston)
Phone: (832) 444-5630

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