It's official: after two years of school I am a certified birth doula! It's weird to think of myself as a "birth professional", but it's finally true. Some days I wondered if I'd ever get finished and others I was able to convince myself that if I took it one step at a time and didn't stress, it'd get done. Turns out the latter was true. I'm happy to be finished, but I'm also kind of sad too. What now? I am torn on that, honestly. I want to go to school for both breastfeeding counseling (something I can do through CBI) or photography. I have all but convinced myself that I want to become certified with the New York Institute of Photography, but I'm not 100% sold yet. I know that photography school would make the most sense right now because of my growing business and the need/desire to learn more in that area, however part of me wants to focus on expanding my knowledge within the world of childbirth. Alas, I am not sure what to do. But I will have to come to a conclusion shortly as I have no intentions of drawing this out much longer.
As of right now I do not want to start my own doula business. In the future, maybe. I will probably take on a paid client (not including friends/loved ones) here and there, but that's all for the time being. Good news is I can charge upwards of $600 per client if I so choose, however I'm not even positive that I want to do that. Photography is not only more profitable but also more of a passion and I cannot focus on both while mothering 3.5 children, homeschooling, being a good wife, etc. If I take on everything, I will surely crash and burn at some point. Right now I am happy with my current plans.
-Amber Barrier, CLD (hehe)
Good job! Go girl!!
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