What is your current title?

Aliza Stavsky, CD DONA (Certified Doula, Doulas of North America).  DONA is the premier international certification organization for doulas.

How did you find your job?

I started out by attending the births of people I already knew and that led to new clients.  Woman are most likely to choose a doula based on a personal recommendation since it involves inviting someone to take part in a very intimate experience.

What experience do you need to get into your field?

The world of doulas consists of women from a vast array of life experiences.  Many were childbirth educators, nurses or therapists of all types before choosing this career. However, many chose this field from an innate sense of nurturing or from a personal birth experience that inspired them. I personally was a childbirth educator for many years in America and became a certified doula in 2005, before my Aliyah. I found it fascinating to prepare women for their birth experience, so it followed naturally that I decided to take it one step further and assist woman both in preparation for their birth and then in the actual birth itself. The most important factor is selecting a reputable organization with whom to train.

Does it make any difference whether you studied in Israel or abroad?

When I first came on Aliyah, I might have said that it is easier to become certified abroad where you speak the language and are familiar with the birth culture. Now that I have lived in Israel for many years, I have learned that there are excellent training opportunities here both in English and in Hebrew. There are DONA certified trainers in Israel who offer the high level of training that one would expect from DONA anywhere in the world and the course is in English.

What are the benefits?

Being part of an organization like DONA enables the doula to take advantage of international advertising, updated information, support and products. It also adds credibility to the doula’s name.

What is the salary range?

A doula is paid by the birthing woman/couple for a birth package. Each doula designs her own package but it usually includes one or more pre-natal meetings, support throughout the birth, and a postpartum meeting within a few weeks of the birth. Most doulas are also available for telephone support during the later months of pregnancy. The fees for this service range from doula to doula and from geographical area to geographical area. Pregnant women can expect to pay anywhere from 2,500 shekel to 4,000 shekel upon hiring a doula.

Describe the personal growth opportunities that exist:

Being a smaller country, the opportunity for good workshops and lectures is definitely more limited than in a country like the United States. That said, there are programs offered for those working in the birth fields to broaden their knowledge base and stay current. Some are only offered in Hebrew which is limiting to a new oleh but some are in English as well. Due to the plethora of programs online these days, there is no lack of access to information.

Who are the major employers in your field?

Basically, doulas are self-employed. There are online networks to help doulas connect to other doulas, and there are Facebook groups to help doulas connect to potential customers. One does have to market oneself to succeed in this field. Again, once you get started, you generally generate new clients by creating happy, satisfied customers.

What other areas of specialty would you recommend?

A well trained and experienced doula has much to offer a pregnant woman in terms of support and assistance before, during, and after birth. That said, there are many doulas who are also proficient in other areas of health and well-being which enhances their doula work. Some good examples would be reflexologists, massage therapists, and lactation consultants. Even when a doula does not have an additional expertise, she brings incredible skills to the birth which can completely change the experience for the birthing woman/couple.

What recommendations can you offer the Olah looking to work in this field?!

I would say that the best place to start is with our local DONA doula trainer, Sarah Goldstein.  Sarah offers training courses for doulas, in English, that are extremly comprehensive and follow the excellent DONA guidelines.  Sarah can be reached at 052-384-7439.   Please click on “Find a Trainer” on the DONA website and then click on Israel in order to find & reach out to doulas who are already in Israel.

How do you feel about working and living here in Israel?

I love living and working here! There is always room for improvement regarding birth policies but I find the birth process far less invasive here than in the USA. There is more built in support of the natural birthing process and the needs of women during birth. I would like to believe that my work as a doula is one step in the process of trying to make birth more women-centered  and less medical-centered.

Last advice?

The birth rate in Israel is quite high which is good news for those Olim wanting to work as doulas. It is a very fulfilling career choice and, with the proper certification, one can play an important role in affecting the birth culture of Israel.

Aliza Stavsky may be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliza-stavsky-b349a718/?originalSubdomain=il