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Photo by mikeporcenalukIt’s the toughest job in the world, or so they say. Being a full-time mum is certainly harder than the regular nine-to-five and doesn’t come with a top flight salary either. But there is a way you can make money out of your experience as a mother by becoming a doulado-what? A doula. It’s a job that came from America, and it’s also very popular in Holland. Doulas support new mums before, during and after the birth of their child. The job involves advising and supporting the mum-to-be and her family during the pregnancy, attending the birth and offering practical support once the baby is born.

You can expect to be well-rewarded for your efforts. Doulas make between 10 and 12 an hour for post-birth work and between 200 and 400 for a birth. Best of all, the only qualification you really need is to be a mum. Though if you are serious about pursuing a career as a doula, there are courses available.

British Doulas offers the only formally certified doula course in Britain and it can be used towards a City & Guilds qualification. Visit the British Doulas website for more information.

It’s not a walk in the park though; you need to be prepared to drop everything and come running when the mum needs your help. Jean Birtles from British Doulas says that a doula must ‘leave all her own problems on the doorstep and come in to inspire and enthuse the mother about the joys of parenthood’.

Jean explains that being a new mother can be very daunting, unpredictable and often lonely. ‘Having a doula there to be caring and kind, to tell you you’re doing well and reassure you, raises the mum’s spirits and helps their self-esteem.’

In fact there is medical research done in America which shows that women who are less fearful about the birth itself are less likely to need a Cesarean or any sort of medical intervention. The presence of a doula has also been proven to genuinely calm mothers before and during the birth, reducing the chance of there being any complications.

Lynn Goodman has been a doula for five years and says it’s ‘the best job in the world’. Sadly her mother died in childbirth, and after her daughter had a bad experience in the hospital when she had her first baby, she decided to try her hand at being a doula.

‘It’s such a feel-good job. You meet wonderful people and lovely babies. I’m still in contact with some of the families. Sometimes you might only be with them a few weeks after the birth but it makes so much difference.’

‘When a new mum brings home a tiny bundle of joy and doesn’t know what to do with it, having somebody there to help is so important. Just doing household chores like cooking and cleaning gives the mum a chance to adjust and get some well-needed rest.’

Lynn also said that she thinks post-natal care provided by the NHS is ‘inadequate’. ‘There is a real gap in care when the mother comes home from hospital. Doulas provide essential aftercare where the NHS fails to’.

If you’ve spent more time bringing up your family than you have in the workplace and now you want to go back to work, but don’t have any formal qualifications, this could be the perfect way to put the skills you have gained to good use.

Jasmine Birtles is the founder of the money-making and money-saving website Money Magpie.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to be a doula, visit the British Doulas website for more information http://www.britishdoulas.co.uk.

For loads more ideas on how to make money as a mum, visit http://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/.

Jasmine earns her living as a finance journalist, expert, TV presenter and is author of 38 books.

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Author: Jasmine Birtles
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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