Category: Continuing Education

What is a Hypno-doula?

2/2/2016

You may have noticed under my listing of advanced doula trainings that I am a Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Doula. As a hypno-doula I have specialized training and experience with supporting families utilizing hypnosis for childbirth. I have worked with many clients using both Hypnobabies and HypnoBirthing programs. Here, I answer some frequently asked questions about how and why I practice as a hypno-doula.

What is your background with hypnosis for childbirth?

While expecting my second baby I was looking for a childbirth education program that would give me tools to help cope with an unmedicated birth. I was fairly educated about birth and the birthing process and I wanted to learn something new. I eventually stumbled upon hypnosis for childbirth and after some research I decided to take an in-person Hypnobabies course.

I loved the program when I was learning and utilizing the techniques. When I became a doula I found that I really enjoyed working with families who had studied hypnosis for childbirth. Hypno-clients come to me with unique tools that can help me to better support them in addition to the traditional comfort techniques I offer as a doula.

After working with a couple HypnoBirthing families I was curious about how that program differed from Hypnobabies. I then audited a local course to learn how to better support the HypnoBirthing clients I worked with. I enjoyed the course and, always wanting to learn more, I decided to go ahead and complete the Hypno-doula course offered by Hypnobabies and here we are!

Do you teach hypnosis techniques?

No. I do not teach hypnosis techniques. I help support and reinforce the techniques that you have learned either through a hypnosis home-study program or in-person class. I can provide referrals to great local hypnosis for childbirth educators if you want to learn!

What do you do as a hypno-doula?

As a hypno-doula I help you utilize the tools that you have learned. I reinforce those teachings using scripts, cues, and prompts during your birthing time. I am familiar with the programs you're working with so I can assist you with practicing with them. I understand the power that words hold, especially when you're actively using hypnosis, so I communicate with you in a positive and sensitive manner that supports hypnosis teachings. In addition to the methods I use as a hypno-doula I also offer the same techniques I use with all clients as a birth doula to compliment your hypnosis tools.

Do you only work with hypno-clients?

No. Although I do work with a good number of hypno-clients I probably see more clients who do not use hypnosis. However, I bring my hypno-background wherever I go so I tend to utilize some techniques that are rooted in hypnosis with all of my clients.

Things like being sensitive to the environment and how you are experiencing things, I believe in the power of words so I'm conscientious about the terminology that I use with all of my clients and communicate in a positive way, I might even throw in a few word cues to help remind you to relax your body and release tension.

I'm a hypno-mom, do I need a hypno-doula?

Doulas are beneficial to every type of birth, including hypno-births! A doula can be beneficial to you both prenatally and during your birthing time, offering a full spectrum of support in addition to your self-hypnosis techniques.

A hypno-doula is the most efficient way to ensure you're working with a doula who truly understands the program and tools that you are using and can effectively help support you in a complimentary way. A doula who does not have additional training with hypnosis for childbirth can effectively support you, but it is very important to ensure that whomever you choose is familiar with the techniques you are learning and how they can best support you during your birthing time.

Hypno-curious? Any other questions about hypno-doulas that I haven't answered?

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How to Become a Doula

8/14/2015

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Where did you go to doula school?

I've been asked this several times now and the answer is: doula school doesn't exist.

Typically, what people mean when they ask this is how do you become a doula. (Of course this is often asked after I've already answered the what is a doula? question.)

Because there is no national or state level certification, licensure, or standard for doulas there are many routes to becoming a doula. I'm going to talk about how to become a professional doula because that's what I know.

Training

First, you need to be trained. But I already have experience with birth, or maybe even supporting women in birth, you say. If you're representing yourself as a doula and not just an experienced support person, you need to be properly trained. There is always more to be learned and it's very important that you understand what exactly the role of a doula is if you're going to call yourself a doula.

There are many training organizations out there, some are complete distance learning, some have in-person components, some offer lifetime certifications, others have ongoing education requirements in order to maintain your credentials. They're not all created equal.

If you're ready to be trained as a doula the best place to start is by exploring the various organizations that train and certify doulas to see which might be the best fit for you. Here is a chart comparing several of the larger organizations.

I chose to train and certify with DONA International because they're one of the oldest, largest, and most well respected doula certifying bodies. I very seriously considered pursing a distance learning program because I'm an enthusiastic self-learner, but luckily there was a DONA approved training offered locally in Columbus so I decided to go for the in-person workshop with DONA and I'm SO glad I did! I love learning at my own quick pace, but I believe there are many benefits to attending an in-person training. Workshop lengths vary based on the organization and trainer. The workshop I attended was 4 full days.

After you attend the workshop you are knowledgeable about the basic technical aspects of how to be a doula as well as what your scope of practice is. Some doulas stop here and practice as a trained, but not certified, doula.

Certification

In order to go on to obtain certification as a birth doula there are typically additional requirements beyond the initial training. To become a DONA certified birth doula, once you have attend the training workshop there is additional required reading, childbirth and breastfeeding education components, attendance, documentation, and evaluations from care providers and clients at a minimum of 3 qualifying births, several essays, professional references, and several other miscellaneous items.

I never questioned whether I would certify, that was my plan from the start. I'm a professional and it's important to me to be held to the highest standards and that my credentials reflect my skills and expertise, not only to clients, but also to other birth professionals. The additional requirements to obtain and maintain certification help me to be a more knowledgeable and well rounded doula and hold me accountable to standards set forth not only by myself, but also my certifying organization.

In order to maintain my certified doula credential I have to meet a minimum continuing education requirement of 15 hours every 3 years to ensure that my skills are always growing and that I am staying current with birth practices. Because I have to re-certify at regular intervals this challenges me to continuously grow as a professional and remain dedicated to my birthwork.

I completed my doula certification less than a year after I started my doula journey, but many doulas spend around 2 years working on their certification, some up to 4. My certified doula credential isn't just some letters after my name, it's an achievement I worked towards for quite a while, propelled by my desire to offer the highest quality and most professional services I can to the clients that I serve.

When searching for and interviewing doulas for your birth it's helpful to ask about their training, experience, and certification. Ask any doula you may potentially hire why they chose to train with and/or certify with a particular organization. It can help give you insight into their background as well as the standards that they uphold.

Additional Resources:

Birth Professionals of Central Ohio Classes & Specials

Top Ten Questions for Choosing a Doula Training

What It Means to be a Professional Birth Doula

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TENS for Labor

7/31/2015

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I recently completed an advanced doula training with Sunday Tortelli to learn about TENS for labor. I love continuing education opportunities and I strive to be able to offer my clients a variety of options to help them have a more comfortable birth experience!

TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, is a method by which electrical currents are used to stimulate nerves for pain relief purposes. TENS units are commonly used by physical therapists, chiropractors, and for women in labor. They are not currently in widespread use for labor purposes in the U.S., but are a popular tool in Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe.

TENS units work by sending mild electrical currents through the skin via electrode pads placed on the area of discomfort, for labor purposes they are placed on the lower back. The person wearing the pads controls the level of stimulation and feels a light pulsing or vibrating sensation as the unit stimulates the muscles. These sensations work to interrupt the nerve pathways, which decreases pain, while increasing the body's own pleasurable hormonal response, endorphins, to help naturally ease discomfort.

Research shows that TENS units are most effective at relieving back labor, which is often challenging to manage, and many women who have experienced TENS in labor report that they would want to use the tool again for future births.

TENS is a safe option for relief of some types of labor pain and can be easily utilized or discontinued if necessary. I'm excited to now offer this as a tool for labor!

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