If you live in an area where women have not heard of doulas or antenatal classes, your first step is going to be to publicise the role and importance of a doula or antenatal teacher within your own community. Woman may like the idea of having someone else to assist them during labour but have no idea about how to find that person. It is hard to explain but clients seem to find you when the time is right, or when you are ready to start taking them on. This seems odd, but somehow, the clients appear when you feel prepared enough to begin working with them. This has been the case for all our students to date, whether they are living in New York City, or an African town!

You are your own best advertisement. Tell everyone you meet what it is that you do. Remember that every person you meet could know someone who is pregnant, or have a pregnant partner, daughter, sister or friend, or be planning a pregnancy themselves in the future. Focus on promoting the role of a doula, antenatal teacher or breastfeeding counsellor. Most people you meet will have never heard of a doula or have thought about one for themselves. The first impression you make could be the difference between getting a client and not! If you have find these suggestions helpful, each of the Childbirth International courses contain lots more! In addition, your trainers are available on discussion forums and chats for additional ideas that are unique to your situation.

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"Having such experienced doulas to discuss all sorts of birth topics was great! I now feel confident & prepared to perform my tasks as a labour doula because of this course. Thanks to you all!" Jeanne, Alabama

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