Becoming a Doula — First Steps

So, you are thinking you would like to become a doula? Congratulations! For those of us who feel drawn to helping moms and babies, getting paid to do work we would do for free is simply amazing. Where to start?

Fast Track for Aspiring Birth Doulas:

  1. Read over the DONA birth doula certification requirements. We will review, in detail, all of the certification requirements during the doula training weekend and answer any questions you may have.
  2. Aspiring birth doulas can fulfill two requirements at once — a pre-requisite for birth doula training and a certification requirement — by taking the Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas class prior to the birth doula training weekend (offered the Friday immediately prior to the two-day birth doula workshop).
  3. Register and reserve your spot in the DONA Birth Training of your choice.
  4. Begin reading from the required reading list at any time prior to or after the training. Book reports or written reviews of books read are not required. We are on the honor system here. The Center has multiple copies of all the books required for DONA certification in our lending library. You may borrow a maximum of three books at a time for a maximum of three weeks.
  5. Begin developing your list of local resources with contact information. Local resources are folks who offer any services or products that your clients may need, want, or benefit from. You may include web resources. To meet the DONA certification requirements, your list must include at least 45 listings in at least 30 different categories.
  6. Complete the breastfeeding class requirement at any time, before or after the doula training. The class must be at least three hours in length and taught by someone with the credentials IBCLC (International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant). Check out our Professional Education in Breastfeeding class.
  7. Michigan residents may add their profile to the doula directory on the Michigan Doula Connection website after completing the birth doula workshop. Through this website, you can be matched with low-income women in need of birth doula services, in order to complete the experiential portion of your certification requirements.
  8. Purchase of the DONA certification packet can be accomplished through their website, but does not need to be done until you are ready to attend your first birth for certification purposes. Births attended prior to the DONA training may not be used towards certification requirements. We recommend purchasing the packet four weeks prior to the woman’s estimated due date so that you will have it in hand for the birth (required). You have precisely two years to complete all certification requirements from the time you purchase the packet. If not completed within that time frame, a new packet must be purchased with the possibility that some certification requirements may change. You have precisely four years to complete the certification process from the time of the training; after that interval, you would be required to repeat the doula training if seeking certification.

Fast Track for Aspiring Postpartum Doulas:

  1. Read over the DONA postpartum doula certification requirements. We will review, in detail, all of the certification requirements during the doula training weekend and answer any questions you may have.
  2. Aspiring postpartum doulas can take the Professional Education in Breastfeeding on a weekend prior to the postpartum doula training and fulfill both a pre-requisite and a certification requirement. Alternately, any breastfeeding class that is at least three hours in length and taught by someone with the credentials IBCLC (International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant) will fulfill the same requirements.
  3. Register and reserve your spot in the DONA Postpartum Doula Training of your choice.
  4. Begin reading from the required reading list at any time prior to or after the training (some reading is a required pre-requisite for aspiring postpartum doulas). Book reports or written reviews of books read are not required. We are on the honor system here. The Center has multiple copies of all the books required for DONA certification in our lending library. You may borrow a maximum of three books at a time for a maximum of three weeks.
  5. Begin developing your list of local resources with contact information. Local resources are folks who offer any services or products that your clients may need, want, or benefit from. You may include web resources. To meet the DONA certification requirements, your list must include at least 45 listings in at least 30 different categories.
  6. Complete the required adult and infant CPR training at any time, before or after the doula training weekend. Check your local Red Cross for classes.
  7. Complete one of the following before undertaking the postpartum experiences to be submitted for certification. If you have added an infant to your own family within the past five years, you can skip this step. You can get started any time on this requirement.
    • Had experience as a postpartum doula (minimum of 8 hours)
    • Had experience providing care to an infant less than 10 weeks of age (minimum of 8 hours)
    • Attended an infant care or parenting class (see our Caring for Your Newborn class)
    • Shadowed an experienced postpartum doula (minimum of 8 hours)
    • Volunteered with infants in a daycare or with a new family
  8. Michigan residents may register on the doula directory on the Michigan Doula Connection website after the doula training weekend. Through this website, you can be matched with low-income women in need of postpartum doula services and complete the experiential portion of certification requirements.
  9. Purchase of the DONA certification packet can be accomplished through their website and should be done prior to providing support to the required three families. It does not have to be done prior to your training. You have precisely two years to complete all certification requirements from the time you purchase the packet. If not completed within that time frame, a new packet must be purchased with the possibility that some certification requirements may change. You have precisely four years to complete the certification process from the time of the training; after that interval, you would be required to repeat the doula training if seeking certification.

If you prefer to take it a little slower:

  • Focus on meeting pre-requisites for the Birth Doula Training or the Postpartum Doula Training. These are listed with the course descriptions for each.
  • Take it one step at a time. This is especially suitable for those whose family circumstances might preclude total immersion in their new-found calling. If it is too great of a hardship for you to attend a weekend doula training at this time (leaving young ones, separation from a breastfeeding toddler, financial concerns, etc.), hang in there. Does it make sense to devote yourself to helping other families get off to a great start while your family suffers to make it possible? There really is no rush. You can be slowly but surely working towards your goal.

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