Full-spectrum doula certification
Donation protected
Hey friends! I'm doing a thing...
As most already know, I am almost in the third trimester of my second (and last) pregnancy. Our family of three will become four at the end of May 2023 and we are thrilled. It never was in Bobby's or my early plans to raise a family but life has a way of surprising you.
My stint in reproduction and human growing/aftermath of birthing has taught me a whole lot about myself and the institute of childbirth in general. Bobby and I have experienced moments of positivity and sadly moments of extreme disappointment regarding women's health care. These journeys of my own have grown into a strong desire to hear others' stories and experiences, read countless books on the subject and let my eyes be opened to the larger issues at hand when it comes to female care. Through this self-study, I have developed a taste for advocacy. So, what now? How can I make a difference, even the smallest of one, in someone's life while wrapping in my professional background?
I have landed on becoming a full-spectrum doula and childbirth educator. With my extensive business background, I am confident that I can create a meaningful endeavor that would service women and partners of all races, sexual orientations, and classes. I believe that there is a massive gap in holistic communication between the medical industry and clients, a lack of organized and readily available resources for all women, and extreme discrepancies in available support for large groups of people going through pre and postnatal journeys. My goal is to help close these gaps and eliminate these negativities and lack of help for those in my community.
In addition to completing an accredited certification program, my primary business goals include the following:
- Offer full-spectrum doula services (labor/postpartum support, lactation counseling, childbirth education).
- Offer additional services (loss and bereavement support is first in line).
- Create scholarship funds for low-income families, BIPOC, underrepresented women, single parents, and young mothers-to-be.
- Set up a network of resources that is free and readily available to anyone who needs it, organized in an easy-to-navigate space.
- Create affiliate groups and relationships to offer much-needed prenatal/postpartum/infant/child products to those who cannot afford necessary or healthy items on their own.
- Incorporate education and resources for environmental sustainability practices regarding baby rearing and child raising.
All of this will take time and commitment and I am very ready for this journey to start. I plan to complete the training courses during the remainder of my pregnancy and into "maternity leave". Once ready, I will take on an internship with local doulas in the area, and complete the practical aspects of certification, while also officially launching my practice. I am estimating a time frame of about 6-9 months.
My fundraising goal amount includes the full-spectrum training program through DTI , 1-year DTI membership, additional costs for reading materials, the cost for infant/child CPR training, and CE courses through other accredited programs like CBI.
If you have made it this far, thanks for reading and absorbing my story. I appreciate any help given towards this venture as I promise it will not be in vain. Good wishes and positive vibes sent will also be received and utilized.
Till we speak again, love ya'll.
Organizer
Rebecca Gray
Organizer
Essex, VT