Equine Midwife / Doula

Halfpass

Halfpass

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1 May 2005
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East Sussex
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Since becoming a midwife I have always wondered about a way of incorporating my job with my love for horses. Over the last few weeks poeple on HHO with foals due and various friends from the yard have got me thinking.

If someone was to offer a maternity service for your in foal mare similar to that of a pregnant woman eg, antental check ups, 24 hour call out during the foaling time, postnatal care, feeding advice etc etc and posssibley someone to do all the waiting around for 'that time' to arrive so that you could get on with everyday life knowing that someone will call you when things happen, would you be prepared to pay for it and how much would you pay?

Its only in the thinking stages and will probably never actually happen but its something that I think many people might be interested in to take some of the stress off of them. Plus if someone was to come along with the right equipment, foaling alarms, CCTV, foaling supplies, and some experience and know the right time to call for a vet in the incidence of complications it may just make things easier to deal with.

Your thought and opinions would be very much appreciated and if you think I'm barking up the wrong tree just tell me I won't be offended.
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Water births, oil burners, reflexology, etc etc just the thought of a horse giving birth in a bath makes me laugh.

Seriously though I know it sounds strange but just listening to poor old Becki having to camp out every night. Why no tpay someone to do it and call you when it all happens. May save some of the stress
 
Honestly? Personally I think if people wanted help they'd send their mare to stay at stud and those who keep them at home would be happy to call the vet if a problem were to arise... Sorry for peeing on your bonfire.
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I think it's a fab idea, but it's a career change that would need lots of thought and research into what market you'd have. You might end up with 10 mares to care for, 3 giving birth in one night, then nothing for weeks. There would be times when you simply couldnt have a holiday, as you'd be so busy, so would have to be prepared to be out of work from may-june, then slow work up until xmas, then a mad rush.
If you could make scanning etc cheaper than a vets call out etc, then i think it would work. afterall, Apart from the actual 'sitting' all you'd be doing would be what a vet would do, so you'd effectivley be in competition with local vets who might have years of experince.
Also the cost of training, as surely to scan etc you'd need qualifications? i may be wrong.
My advice would be to try it first, but don't jack your job in for it. Expect it to takes years to take off, and find out as much as you can. Perhaps get a pt job in a stud, and then see how you feel.
 
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