I have been telling people about my doula training, and mainly people have been asking "What is a D-oooola." "Is that like the lady who came to your house when you gasp had your son at home?" I politely reply, "No that is a midwife.... A doula and then I begin to describe. I find this sad that our society doesn't even realize all the resources out there for women during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
One day someone asked me what I was going to school for and I explained I was in nursing school because I wanted to be a midwife. This person looked at me with a very serious face and said "Aren't you already one of those?" Confused I replied "No" The person replied "But you are already married."
So I think it is extremely important to know about all of your options and to be educated about these options so you can really have choices. I really liked the blog about doulas that my friend Britta wrote this afternoon and I thought I would share. http://www.squidoo.com/do-I-need-a-doula