Week #2

Week #1 was a success! Created a project plan/timeline for my Doula Certification, read half of my first book (didn't read as much as I want to...need to step-up the reading pace) and reached out to some local Doulas and Midwives for advice, networking and childbirthing classes. AND, on top of Doula Certification, I've decided to enroll in massage therapy school at Cortiva Institute (http://www.cortiva.com/ ) ! My focus will, of course, be on women...particularly pregancy/postpartum and eventually infant massage. Since all of this is now my full-time job (in addition to being a mother and fiance), I will be able to get through 2010 and come out on the other end as a Certified Doula and Licensed Massage Therapist! So excited that after 17 years of Corporate Marketing (in-which I gained invaluable skills and experience), that now I can really be ME and do something that I'm truly passionate about and LOVE!!!!! I have a servant-heart and love helping people and making them feel good and helping them to gain life skills and insights.

So, for Week #2, my goals are:
1) READ! Get through 1.5 books... I CAN do this...I have the time...
2) Enroll in a Childbirth Education Class
3) Speak with/meet a Doula who will allow me to 'observe' a birth...not 'attend'. Not sure if this will be possible right now due to the H1N1 virus, so we will see. I suppose I should get vaccinated (even though I truly don't believe in it).
4) Speak with/meet with my former Midwife for similiar reasons as #3
5) Enroll in a Breastfeeding Class
6) Order my DONA Certification Packet

Massage school starts on January 11th. So, my goal is to get as much of the Doula reading, classes and workshops done as possible before then...

Looks like another great week! :)

Week 1 Update

Well, it's been a busy week of nursing sick people in my family (including myself). I have started reading my first book, Pregnancy Childbirth and the Newborn-The Complete Guide, as well as my new Dona International membership packet. This week, my goals are to:
1) Create a Timeline/Plan for getting certified
2) Read my first book and electronically record my notes in Word
3) Network with local Doulas in order to find a 'Mentor'...someone who will shepherd me through the process.

Praying for health and lots of progress this week!

My Destiny!

My Destiny has finally been revealed to me! I am supposed to be a Birth Doula. I will coach pregnant, laboring and post-partum mothers/couples in order to provide support and comfort. This career move is perfect for me because it utilizes so much of my experience and knits my passions into one path.

Tonight, I enrolled in the Dona Internationale ( www.dona.org ) Birth Doula Certification program and ordered my first two books on Amazon.com! I'm so excited to get started. There's so much to do in order to get Certified...so, now it's time to GET BUSY!

More details to come in the coming days/months.