I chose to certify with DONA due to its esteemed reputation in the birthing community. I like that doulas are asked to uphold a Code of Ethics, work within the doula "scope" and take continuing education classes for recertification. Here's a little more about my chosen doula organization...

All about DONA :: Doula Certification

All about DONA

DONA International is the oldest and largest doula assocation in the world. Its founders are among the foremost experts on doula care, and DONA International certification is a widely respected measure of quality and professionalism. DONA strives to train doulas to provide the highest quality of care for birthing women and their families.

The vision of DONA International is to provide a doula for every woman who wants one.

The mission of DONA International is to (1) provide training and certification opportunities for doulas of varied cultures, educational backgrounds, ethnic backgrounds and socio-economic levels, and (2) educate health care providers, the public and third party payers of the benefits of a doula's presence during birth and postpartum.

DONA was founded in 1992 by Drs. Marshall Klaus and John Kennell, Phyllis Klaus C.S.W., M.F.C.C., Penny Simkin, PT, and Annie Kennedy. They had the simple goal of promoting doula care. Look at their organization now!

Paraphrased from www.dona.org/aboutus/index.php

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Birth Doula Certification

If you're a birth junkie and aspire to support women during birth, then becoming a doula has probably already occured to you. If you're not sure, read the DONA International Birth Doula Position Paper to learn more. It can take a varied amount of time to certify, although DONA gives you 2 years to complete the process after purchasing your birth doula certification packet.

The basic steps are as follows (although not necessarily in this order):

1. Attend a DONA approved Birth Doula Workshop.
2. Read five books from the required reading list, plus the DONA International Birth Doula Position Paper.
3. Become a member of DONA International.
4. Purchase a birth doula certification packet.
5. Complete a childbirth education requirement. (You have a couple different choices, including observing a 12 hour childbirth prep series.)
6. Complete a lactation education requirement. (Again, you have a couple different choices.)
7. Provide doula services to a minimum of three clients (after attending your workshop AND purchasing your birth doula certification packet). There are some requirements for these births to "count" towards certification.
8. Document each of the three births with a DONA Birth Record Sheet as well as a 500-700 word account of the event. A Client Confidentiality Release Form must also be submitted.
9. Provide good evaluations of your doula services from at least three clients. You must also provide good evals from three primary care providers and nurses OR three midwives. (Note that a nurse eval is not required with a midwife-attended birth, but it is required for a doctor-attended birth).
10. Create a complete list of local resources.
11. Read and sign the DONA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
12. Provide two character references - one personal and one professional.
13. Write a 500-1000 word essay on the value and purpose of labor support.

For a list which includes more information about the items listed here, visit www.dona.org/develop/birth_cert.php

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