 It is an exciting time to be a DONA International doula, a member of the premier doula association in the world. Women across the globe appreciate and value the experience of having a doula– a knowledgeable, experienced companion – who stays with them through labor, birth and beyond. Birth doulas offer emotional support, encouragement and wisdom throughout labor and birth. Postpartum doulas support women and families through the transformation that a new baby brings to a family.
With over 7000 birth and postpartum doula members and growing, we are the largest doula association in the world. We support doulas by providing quality training and meaningful certification. We serve mothers and families by providing access to information and research about doulas, childbirth and the postpartum experience. DONA International certification sets the bar for doula education and professional development. It indicates to families that a doula has achieved a high level of training and professionalism.
Click here to contact your Regional Director!
DON'T MISS IT! 2013 DONA International Virtual Conference
Virtual Conference Site
DONA International is excited to be a part of a growing trend by announcing a virtual conference experience to bring together doulas from around the world in 2013.
You, too, can be on the cutting edge, asking questions and interacting live from the comfort of your own home. There is no need to take extended breaks from your on-call schedule, accrue additional costs, or travel. In addition, this format allows you to earn more CEUs than ever before by attending sessions that would have been held concurrently at an in-person conference.
Watch this space and the DONA International publications for details. To learn more about the virtual conference, check out the following video: http://youtu.be/E-i5_ajDMbs
DONA Virtual Choir invitation
Doulas!
We are working on a project for our DONA International Virtual Conference this summer, and we need your help! We would like to create a video montage of doulas all over the world, singing Dona Nobis Pacem.
Those of you who have been to the conference in previous years know that the group singing of Dona Nobis Pacem at the end of the conference is one of our most beloved traditions. So this year, we want to invite Every Doula, Everywhere to sing with us.
Practising doulas, retired doulas, brand new doulas, doulas-to-be, any doula, any group of doulas can make a video to contribute to the Virtual Choir: one doula singing alone, two or three doulas. Doulas with beautiful voices, doulas with plain, normal voices, doulas who have been told they can’t sing! We want to hear all the doula voices. Any Doula, Anywhere. You are all welcome.
If you want inspiration, have a look at the video of our flash mob in Cancun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsyriSv-mDU&feature=plcp
This idea comes from Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir which you might want to watch here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7o7BrlbaDs
Click here to view Penny Simkin's performance video of Dona Nobis Pacem.
Although Penny's video included guitar accompaniment, we want the videos you send us to be without musical instruments - JUST your voice singing, a cappella. We also need all the recordings to be in the same musical key and at the same speed so we have put together some step-by-step instructions to make this easy for you to do.
The deadline for submitting a video is June 15. We are so excited about this project and we can't wait to hear all your beautiful doula voices. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Virtual Choral Coordinator – Eva Bild – westerncanadadirector@dona.org
In the doula spirit,
DONA International Conference Committee
Ann Grauer
Barbara Hotelling
Eva Bild
HeatherGail Lovejoy
Jennifer Rokeby-Mayeux
Uta Mattox
Virginia Rivenbark
Everything you need to participate can be found here:
Click here for instructions on submitting your video.
Click here to view and download the Dona Nobis Pacem sheet music.
Click here to view Penny Simkin's performance video of Dona Nobis Pacem on Vimeo.
Click here to download the Photographic Release form.
Doula Spirit Photo Contest, May 2013
In celebration of International Doula Month, we will honor our members, their doula spirit and the contribution they provide to mother/baby care by illustrating the birth or postpartum doula’s story through photos, videos and essays. See the attached contest submission requirements.
Order Your DONA International Branded Apparel & Gifts
DONA International is pleased to announce that it has partnered with CafePress to offer DONA International branded and 20th Birthday Celebration clothing, jewelry, and other special items. Check out the new items by clicking here.
NEW!! Recertification Webinar
Want to learn more about the DONA International recertification process? Check out the recently recorded webinar regarding the recertification process by downloading here.
Doulas and Third Party Reimbursement
Click here for more information about a new uniform provider code for doulas.
Check out this FREE sample of the International doula, our quarterly publication for members.
Volunteer for DONA International
Click here for information on open position on the Board of Directors and various committees.
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The Essential Ingredient: DOULA is a documentary produced by DONA International in 2010 featuring commentary by all of DONA International's esteemed founders and some of its celebrated past presidents speaking on the origin and rationale of doula support. Their words are complemented by inspiring visuals of treasured birth and postpartum moments courtesy of