Blog / About Doulas
Want to learn more about the role and services of birth and postpartum doulas? You’ve come to the right place!
DONA International has been a trusted resource for information about the doula profession for over 25 years. Whether you are a family considering hiring a doula, want to be come a doula or are a care provider working with doulas — these articles provide information about what a doula does and how we support families. Doulas make a difference!
COVID-19 & Doulas – DONA International Recommendations
Updated February 1, 2022 The DONA International education team has put together guidelines and considerations for our postpartum doulas when serving clients in the home during the on-going pandemic. Postpartum Doulas and Corona Virus March 12, 2020 (Updated February1,...
Register Now for the DONA International Leadership Summit 2019 and Receive Early Bird Prices
DONA International has exciting plans for the DONA International Leadership Summit in Houston, TX, USA, and you are invited. The first thing you should do is hold the dates October 3-5, 2019 on your calendar so that you know you are free to attend. Then read below for...
List Your DONA Credentials Proudly and Properly!
By Jenn Fontaine Introduction One of the most common questions I get as a DONA Approved birth doula trainer and a birth doula certification packet reviewer is: “I am a certified birth doula through DONA International, how do I properly show my credentials?” It may...
You Know You Should Be a Doula If…
DONA International offers opportunities to become a doula by attending one of the many doula workshops offered around the world by a DONA-Approved Trainer. A doula workshop is the first step on the path to becoming a certified birth or postpartum doula. You will receive world-class training and become a member of the largest and most recognized and respected doula organization in the world.
DONA Certified Doulas Earn Higher Fees and Attract More Clients: A Doula Fee and Referral Comparison from DoulaMatch.net
May is International Doula Month, and 2019 is the 21st year that DONA International, perinatal organizations and consumers around the globe all take time during the month of May to recognize the contributions that birth and postpartum doulas make to support families...
Happy Nurses’ Week! Doulas Love Our Collaboration with You!
May 6th through 12th is National Nurses Week in the USA. As birth doulas know and research shows, nurses can make or break a client experience during their client’s labor and birth. While doulas and nurses have clear and distinct roles when there is a collaboration between them, everyone, especially the family benefits.
Six Reasons Why You May Want a Postpartum Doula after Your Cesarean Birth
Cesarean Awareness Month April is Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM) and this month, many perinatal organizations are focusing on the impact cesarean birth has on parents and babies. In the USA, the current cesarean rate is just under 32%. While this rate has been slowly...
Five Reasons You May Want a Birth Doula During Your Cesarean Birth
Cesarean Awareness Month April is Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM) and this month, many perinatal organizations are focusing on the impact cesarean birth has on parents and babies. In the USA, the current cesarean rate is just under 32%. While this rate has been slowly...
Meet DONA International Doulas Across the Globe during World Doula Week
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, CLE March 22nd-28th is World Doula Week, originally designated in 2011 as “Doula Day” by Ruti Karni Horowitz. Since then, the celebration has expanded to a full week and is recognized by doula organizations all around the world....
Series: Doula Me This #6 – I Have No Backup Doula!
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE Today is the sixth post in the occasional series, “Doula Me This!” Each post in the series provides a common scenario that a birth or postpartum (or both) doula may face. The “correct” answer (if there is one)...
Book Review: The Heart of the Doula: Essentials for Practice and Life
Amy Gilliland, Ph.D., Adv/BDT(DONA), CSE (AASECT) believes that doulas have the potential to change the world through connection and caring for another person, and this book is one way that she seeks to help doulas do exactly that. Dr. Gilliland has conducted...
The Duchess and the Doula
By Ann Grauer, AdvCD/BDT(DONA), AdvPCD/PDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, IBCLC Meghan Markle hired a doula for her upcoming birth (and, hopefully, postpartum). We are delighted that she is making DOULA the word heard round the world. The Duchess is just the latest expectant...
Five Ways Doulas Help Their Laboring Clients Increase Oxytocin – The Love Hormone
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE Doulas know the importance of oxytocin in labor. Oxytocin is often called the "love hormone" but in labor and during feeding, it is also the "squeeze hormone" helping the uterus to contract in order to change...
Parting Gift to Your Clients? Yay or Nay?
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE Many doulas have a practice of gifting their clients something as they end their time together. Others don't do this at all. Over the years as a practicing doula, I have oscillated from providing a little...
What Is Natural Birth Anyway?
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE It has become clear to me in the past few years that there has been a shift in the meaning of some birth terminology that consumers use to talk about their births. Personally, I cannot pinpoint when the shift...
The Doula and the Thank You Note
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE I recently read a great article in The New York Times: "You Should Actually Send That Thank You Note You've Been Meaning to Write" and immediately thought about how this information is relevant to doulas and...
Great News! Preventing Maternal Deaths Act Signed into Law!
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE In the United States, there is some very good news with lots of reasons to celebrate as 2018 comes to a close. After an incredible effort by many maternal-infant health organizations in the USA, including...
Seven Things I Learned While Serving as President of DONA International 2018
By Ana Paula Markel, CD/BDT(DONA), ICCE, IAT As the year comes to an end and my term as DONA International President comes to a close, I find myself reflecting, as one normally does this time of the year. I am reflecting on all that has been accomplished, and my...