Is Doula Certification Important?

I am often asked who my doula certification is through. DONA International is my response. Most of our doulas are DONA certified or trained. I am very picky about who I work with, and you will soon learn why.

Did you know there are over 180 different doula certifying organizations? However, not all certifications are equal.

I decided to certify through DONA International for many reasons including because they have been around for over 40 years, which means the organization is well-known to providers, hospitals, and the community. All trainings are in-person or currently over Zoom with a real-life instructor.

[Did you know: One of DONA’s founders (and first to doula certify with DONA) is Penny Simkin (you may know her from her many books such as “The Birth Partner” and “Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn”) who is a birthworking legend. The second to certify with DONA was Cheryl Grant, The Peanut Ball Lady.]

Another reason I certified with DONA is their motto, “A doula for every person who wants one.” Money is of course needed (as we are a business), but it is not the only factor that drives me (or the doulas I work with) to be a doula. I believe no one should birth alone. I also believe anyone who wants a doula should be able to have one…doulas should not just be for the wealthy…doulas should be for anyone who needs support.

Yet another reason: DONA requires all certified doulas to recertify every 3 years, which means each doula needs continuing education credits. I feel this is incredibly important! Birthworkers should be kept up to date with the research, new comfort measure techniques and dig deeper into certain specialties. Many doula organizations do not require this of their certified doulas; essentially once you pay their training fee you are certified for life.

My opinion is difficult for many doulas to hear and stand behind, but I believe doulas should be regulated. We should be made to pass a credentials test, held to standards, be made to take continuing education. The reason: if not trained well, doulas can do just as much harm as an untrained nurse or doctor could. What is even more scary is that there are doula certifiying organizations who teach their students that arguing or being confrontational to the hospital staff is appropriate. The doulas I work with and I believe that the we (the doctors, nurses, doula, patient, and patient’s family) are all on the same team…we all are to be working together toward one goal, to have the best outcome for birther & baby!

When considering & interviewing doulas, think about what’s important to you! Is it important for you to have a doula support you who is keeping up to date with research, training and newest skills and techniques? Is it important that the certifying organization is well-known, been around for a long time, and should you have an issue with your doula you can file a grievance with the organization? Is it important to you to have a doula who was trained by a real person who the doula can go to as a mentor, who was trained on hands-on skills, (not just reading out of some training manual online)?