I want to preface this blog post by stating that I love my job! Working as a doula for the past two years has been an absolute dream. Doula work has been the most exciting and fulfilling job that I have ever had. However, soon after jumping into doula work, I quickly learned that being a doula is not only a job, but also a lifestyle. Just like any other job, there are pros and cons to this career choice.
The Pros
Passion for My Work
I love women and babies. It’s as simple as that. Doula work is valuable work, and the reason that I continue to work as a doula is because, for me, it is enjoyable, challenging, and deeply fulfilling. Over the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to work with some truly remarkable women, and the connections that I build with my clients and their families keeps me going.
No Two Days of Work Look the Same
One of my favorite aspects of doula work is the fact that no two days on the job ever look exactly the same. Doula work is not monotonous in the way that a standard 9-5 can be. Every birth is different because every woman is different! There are also a great variety of tasks to complete for mothers and families while working as a postpartum doula, so every day working in a client’s home looks different than the last. Additionally, I work with families in numerous settings, including hospitals across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, as well as in birth centers, and in their homes. In the past, I have held jobs that I can only describe as mind-numbing, so I certainly appreciate the constant change of scenery that working as a doula offers.
The Ability to Create My Own Schedule
As a doula, I have much more flexibility with my schedule than I have had with previous jobs, especially in regard to postpartum work. I am able to take on as much or as little work as I’d like to. I am a full-time student as well as a doula, so I am very grateful for the ability to book sessions with clients on a schedule that works for me. For example, I recently took a few weeks off from night work in order to make time to study for my finals. The freedom to create my own schedule is one of the greatest joys of my job!
The Ability to Learn and Grow
I learn new things every day on the job. My skills as a doula have grown exponentially since my first birth. I spend a good chunk of my free time reading about birth and the postpartum period and taking trainings to enhance my skills. One of my favorite trainings that I completed this past year was the Spinning Babies workshop, which taught me so much about the anatomy of the female pelvis and how different laboring positions can affect a baby's descent. Additionally, I learn a lot from my clients! I have worked with clients from all walks of life and of numerous nationalities, and one of my favorite parts of my job is the ability to connect with and learn from the women that I work with.
The Opportunity to Witness the Miracle of Life... all the time!
There is nothing as profound or miraculous, in my opinion, as witnessing the birth of a child into this world. Every birth is beautiful in its own way, and I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to support families through this process.
The Cons
Always Being On-Call
Even before I started working as a doula, I knew that being on-call would be the biggest challenge for me. I am an avid traveler, and in the past, I loved hopping in my car on the weekends and driving for hours. Spontaneous travel isn’t an option for me anymore, as doulas are almost always on-call. Babies come on their own schedules, and so it’s necessary to ensure that my phone is charged, my ringer is on, and my doula bag is packed and ready to go at all times. If I want to take a vacation, I need to plan months in advance and ensure that I don’t take clients on during the time that I am gone. For other events that I can’t miss, such as weddings or birthday celebrations for family members, I need to ensure that I have a solid backup doula ready to jump in for me if needed. The constant on-call aspect of doula work can be draining.
The Difficulty of Starting Out as a Doula
Starting out as a doula is difficult for everyone. I began my career as a doula shortly after relocating to Virginia from New Mexico, so when I started out, I really didn’t know anyone. Doula trainings often recommend that new doulas support friends and family members to gain some experience in the field, but for me that was not an option. It was tough for me to set up an LLC, create a website, and interview my first few clients without a lot of guidance from seasoned doulas. However, as time went on, I was able to connect with other local doulas and establish friendships and a network of support. Now, I love connecting with newer doulas to offer advice and support!
No Coworkers
I’ve had a lot of coworkers over the course of my numerous jobs, and like many people, my coworkers have been both the bane of my existence and the best part about going to work! Currently, I work in a partnership through Madam Doula, but my first year of doula work was isolating at times because I didn’t have any coworkers. Doula work is wonderful and fulfilling, but, since babies can’t talk, it can also be frustrating and lonely. I enjoy my career much more after choosing to transition into a partnership model, and plan to continue working within a partnership model for as long as I work as a doula.
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