Category Archives: The Childbirth Profession

Birth Photographers show the power of birth

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birth photographerSo many ways exist to serve pregnant families and build a thriving career as a childbirth professional.

Photographers are filling an important role in recording the journey, emotion, strength, and power of the birth experience. As mentioned in the book, Called to the Childbirth Profession, those with skills in photography can expand their careers as birth professionals by documenting the birth experience of families.

At the YouTube channel NewCreationBirth you can view videos that show the work of many birth photographers. Also, learn more about becoming a birth photographer through the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers.

These photos speak to the experience of birth better than any words.

Become a Blessingway Facilitator

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blessingway candlesFacilitating blessingway ceremonies is a wonderful way that doulas, birth educators and other childbirth professionals can serve pregnant women.

Blessingways originate from Native American culture and were used to mark transitions in the life of women. Unlike baby showers that often focus on gift giving, blessingways focus on honoring the expecting mother.

The expecting mother is surrounded by women that are very close to her. These women participate in pampering the mother:

  • Soaking her feet in rose petals
  • Applying henna to her belly and hands
  • Creating and decorating a belly cast
  • Brushing her hair and decorating with flowers
  • Giving her a foot and body massage

Another important part of a blessingway is to include rituals that show the mother that her community of women friends will be with her in spirit through her labor and birth. A variety of ways can show this:

Beads - Each participant brings a bead and shares something positive and affirming to mother. The beads create a bracelet or necklace for her to wear through her labor reminding her of love and support.

Candles – Each guest lights a candle and shares about her connection to the mother and what they love about her. The candles are then taken home by the guests and lit when she goes into labor sending her positive energy until birth.

String – A long continuous piece of string or yarn is woven around the wrists of all the women present symbolizing the power of the group. Then the strings are cut and tied creating bracelets that are worn until the mother has given birth. This shows the continuous love and support of her group.

Blessingways also include time to eat and connect. If gifts are given they are mother focused and include giving her frozen meals, signing up to help with household chores, doula gift certificates, pajamas, baths salts, etc. The goal is to let her know that she will be given help, love, and support through birth and the postpartum period by her friends and family.

A blessingway facilitator meets with the expecting mother or someone extremely close to her to plan and make sure the ceremony reflects her personal preferences, as there are many ways to honor and celebrate a woman during a blessingway.

Childbirth Professionals International will be offering a blessingway facilitation workshop this fall. Send us an email to let us know your interest.

How to find clients after your Birth Doula training

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Doula Training WorkshopSo you attended a Birth Doula Training and are inspired to begin helping families, but how do you find the pregnant families that need your services? It is easier than you think.

Community

Start by asking your friends and family members if they could recommend your services to pregnant families. Look within your local community if you are part of a group i.e. church, school, fitness club, then make an announcement of your services to the group. Also, don’t be shy to just approach someone within the group that is pregnant and tell her about your skills and offer your services.

Internet

Use the internet to search for clients, create a Facebook page for your doula services. If possible also make a website about your services.  Use Craigslist to list your availability to families in your city and don’t forget to post on the website of your local newspaper in the classified or business section.

Or previous post Top Websites to List Your Birth Business lists other fabulous websites where you can create a free business profile.

A community bulletin board at your local library, coffee house, book store, or grocery store is another overlooked resource where you can post information about your doula services.

Network

Contact childbirth educators, birth centers, midwifery groups, maternity and baby clothing shops in your area to tell them all about your doula services.  Join or start a doula association in your community where you can get advice and work together to promote doula care.