Supervising My Doula Students

As my students are nearing the end of their program, there is a lot of excitement about finding   clients for their supervised births. Each and every one of my students is going to support two clients for no cost, and will be supervised by me and by the wonderful midwives who practice at El-Camino hospital in Mountain view, CA -  Lin Lee, Bethany Monte and Olga Libova.

 I am so grateful for being able to offer this opportunity of supervision. When I was studying to become a doula, I had to take 100 hours shifts in Labor and delivery in a hospital located in Jerusalem. I did not have the chance to get to know the couples ahead of time, so there was a missing piece in the process. I just showed up for a shift, day or night, and offered my support as a doula in-training. I found then, and I still see now, the value in practicing all the doula tools,   applying the new knowledge, and practicing this new presence of a birth care giver, under the supervision of experienced midwives. When I was designing my own training program, I knew I wanted to give this opportunity of practicing under supervision to my students.  At its fourth year, it is obvious to me that we have a win-win situation in hand- my students are matched up with the midwives’ clients, and get their hands-on experience and supervision, and the couples are enjoying the presence of a knowledgeable and passionate doula for no-cost.

I supervise my students via text messaging and phone calls, day or night, I am there for them.

I ask questions which will help them and me to analyze the progress of the birth, and I encourage my students to be sensitive to all aspects: emotional reactions of both mother and partner, the relationship with staff, whether or not there is a need to deviate from the clients’ preference list, and more. I remind them of options- another position or another trick to help the baby change position or drop to pelvis, I advise when there is a need to call the nurse, and help them phrase the question in an accurate and respectful way, and more. Most of all, as my student say – it is knowing that I am there for them which  gives them confident to practice all that they have learned.