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!
But What About the Postpartum Doula? ACOG’s New Recommendations for Postpartum Care
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released an updated committee opinion last month titled Optimizing Postpartum Care. This opinion was endorsed and supported by fellow...
Series: What Say You? – What Does “Natural” Birth Mean to You?
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE I have a question and maybe you can help me out? When I started working as a doula and a childbirth educator almost 15 years ago, I had a lot of terms to learn. In my doula training, I learned it was important...
A Review of the Film “Tully” Through the Eyes of a Postpartum Doula
Reviewed by Krista Maltais, AdvPCD/PDT(DONA) Please note: This review may contain movie spoilers and/or plot points. *While the subject matter involves a night nanny and not a postpartum doula, we are aware that people in many circles unknowingly equate the two roles....
Doulas’ Children Share What They Think Doulas Do
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE In honor of Mother's Day, which is being celebrated today in the United States, I asked doulas to ask their children "what does a doula do?" The kids' answers are very funny, but also, often remarkably...
May Is International Doula Month – 31 Fantastic Ways to Celebrate
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE May is International Doula Month (IDM) and we need to celebrate big time. Last year, I suggested ten things that doulas could do to honor IDM, but this month I say, "Go big or go home!" I want to suggest...
Doula Me This #3 – Should I Stay or Should I Go?
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE Today is the third 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)...
World Doula Week 2018 – “Doulas Make It Happen”
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE Today begins the 8th Annual observance of World Doula Week. World Doula Week is celebrated every year March 22- March 28, and corresponds to the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. Initially founded by...
A Membership with Benefits: #DONAProud
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE DONA International was founded 26 years ago by five of the most amazing people! Dr. John H. Kennell, Dr. Marshall Klaus, Annie Kennedy, Penny Simkin, and Phyllis Klaus sat down and established the organization...
Advocacy at Work: Doulas Working with Incarcerated Pregnant People
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE In Olympia, Washington, state representatives serving in the Washington State House of Representatives during the new 2018 legislative session found themselves voting on a potential new law that would mandate...
Meet Ana Paula Markel – DONA International’s New Board President
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE I would like to introduce you to Ana Paula Markel, DONA International's President of the Board of Directors. Ana Paula began her term with the new year and I was excited to have the opportunity to ask some...
Examining AWHONN’s Position Statement on L&D Nurses as Continuous Support
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE Earlier this month, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses published a position statement entitled "Continuous Labor Support for Every Woman." I was excited to read this article,...
Reflections on My Doula Work – What are Yours?
Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE 2018 will be the 15th year of defining myself as a professional doula and childbirth educator. Much has changed in that decade and a half, and yet much has remained the same. I am feeling reflective as I round the...
Pregúntale a Penny (Ask Penny Español)
Queridas Doulas, Como DONA está celebrando su 25 aniversario este año, Jessica English (editora del International Doula) me pidió que le dedicara la columna Pregúntale a Penny a la historia de DONA. Ponderando sobre esto, encontré la primera edición del International...
Does Being the First or the Last Doula Interviewed Impact Your Hire Rate?
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA) LCCE, FACCE, CLE In my years as a birth doula, I've had a lot of potential client interviews. With around 460 births behind me, I estimate that I have conducted at least 1,000 interviews- probably more, but 1,000 is a nice round...
When Holidays and Birth Work Collide – The Baby Always Wins
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE In the United States, many people are preparing for a major holiday tomorrow. It will soon be Thanksgiving in the USA, practically a four day food-fest accompanied by football games and bargain shopping for...
Congratulations to DONA’s Newest Advanced Certified Doulas
Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE DONA International is the oldest and the largest international doula organization in the world. Founded by five visionary leaders who saw a need and filled it, DONA has grown into an amazing organization and has...
What Research Says about the Doula-Nurse Relationship and Expert Tips to Strengthen It
By Ann Tumblin, LCCE, FACCE, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA) Today, Ann Tumblin reviews a study published last fall that looks at how doulas and labor & delivery nurses view each other in the workplace. Every DONA doula learns that DONA International’s Code of Ethics requires...
DONA Needs Your Energy, Vision and Ideas for Our Leadership Team
By Sharon Muza, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE DONA International is celebrating their 25th year as a doula organization in 2017. I am proud to say that DONA has never been so strong and vibrant, so full of potential and so primed and ready to carry the doula...