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Birth Doula Certification  Become a Birth Doula When you become a certified birth doula, you gain a respected credential. DONA International certification means that you have met a high international standard, ensuring expectant parents and their medical team that you will adhere to the highest standards of conduct and ethics. It means you are trained to support a woman emotionally, as well as educated to help her determine the services and information that she needs during labor and childbirth.* Please note: Attend a DONA approved birth doula workshop and purchase your certification packet before attending any births you intend to use for certification. For a Suggested Timeline for Birth Doula Certification, click here. To become a DONA International certified birth doula:
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Attend a DONA approved Birth Doula Workshop of 16 or more hours in length. Certification must be completed within four (4) years of attending the birth doula workshop. |
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Read at least five (5) books from the required reading list and the DONA International Position Paper: The Birth Doula's Contribution to Modern Maternity Care.
Download the Birth Doula Required Reading List 
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Purchase a birth doula certification packet. Each packet expires within two (2) years of purchase. Packets must be purchased prior to attending births submitted for certification.
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Complete one of the following:
A. Observation of a complete childbirth preparation series (not as an expectant parent). Click here to view the list of approved childbirth educational organizations. Exceptions may be made for candidates who do not have any approved certified educators within a 30 mile radius and are unable to complete one of the alternatives. Contact CertificationDirector@DONA.org with detailed information about the most extensive and in-depth childbirth classes that are available.
B. Attendance at an "Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas" class offered in conjunction with a DONA approved birth doula workshop.
C. Training in midwifery or childbirth education (see the list of approved childbirth education organizations)
D. Recent or current work experience in labor and delivery as a registered nurse
Click here for FAQs on the Childbirth Education Requirement for Birth Doula Certification
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Submit at least one of the following:
- Proof of completion of lactation consultant, breastfeeding peer counselor or community breastfeeding educator training.
- Proof of completion of one (1) of the following approved on-line study programs.
- Lactation Education Resources – affordably priced Complete Self-Learning Program. Learn more
- Breastfeeding Basics – free on-line independent study program. Click here for directions for accessing and registering for the program. You can find their web site here.
- Proof of participation in a minimum three (3) hour breastfeeding workshop covering the basics of breastfeeding offered to birth and postpartum related professionals, such as those offered at conferences or in conjunction with DONA approved workshops. The workshop must be taught by an educator with recognized breastfeeding credentials (IBCLC, CLE or CLC).
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Provide doula service to a minimum of three (3) clients. All births submitted for certification must take place after attending the DONA approved birth doula workshop and after purchasing the birth doula certification packet. The births documented must meet the criteria outlined in your certification packet, including, but not limited to:
- Labor support must begin before or at the onset of the active phase of labor. For certification purposes, active labor will be considered four (4) centimeters.
- The number of labor support hours for all three (3) submitted births must total a minimum of fifteen (15) hours.
- Your presence as the birth doula must be continuous.
- You must remain for the birth of the baby to provide immediate postpartum support.
- Every vaginal exam must be documented on the Birth Record Sheet’s Labor Progression Chart.
- Cesarean births may account for only one (1) of the three (3) required birth experiences.
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For each of the three (3) births submitted for certification, include a:
A. Client Confidentiality Release Form (pdf)
B. DONA International Birth Record Sheet (pdf)
C. Typewritten (500-700 word) account of each birth (pdf)
D. Good evaluation from your client, the laboring mother (pdf)
E. Good evaluation from the primary care provider; plus each physician evaluation must be accompanied by a nurse evaluation (pdf)
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Develop a list of at least forty-five (45) local resources in at least thirty (30) different categories. Refer to your certification packet for suggestions. |
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Read and sign the DONA International Code of Ethics and the DONA International Standards of Practice. |
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Provide current contact information (name, phone, e-mail and relationship) for one (1) client and one (1) birth professional who have agreed to serve as a reference for you. The references will be checked by the Certification Committee. |
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Submit a typewritten essay (500-1,000 words) on the value and purpose of labor support. Refer to your certification packet for details. |
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Pay the certification processing fee on-line in the DONA Boutique or by check or money order in US funds. |
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Verify that you are a current member of DONA International. Join now. |
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Mail the originals of all required documents to the DONA International Home Office and keep a copy of all submitted documentation for your own records. |
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Once certified, it is the DONA certified doula's responsibility to maintain continuous membership with DONA International. Please see the Lapsed Membership Policy for more information. |
*Note: only active status DONA certified doulas with current membership are eligible to be listed on the DONA International web site for referrals. Click here to print the Certification Requirements (in no particular order). For additional information, refer to the DONA International Birth Doula Certification Packet, available at the DONA Boutique. ^Top |
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