Blog / DONA News
Find out more about DONA International, the world’s largest, longest standing and most respected doula organization in the world.
Our training and certification are recognized world-wide as the standard for the doula profession. We are a growing, not-for-profit, member led organization dedicated to the advancement of doulas. Stay up-to-date on DONA International and see the difference we make for doulas and families.
A Seat at the Table in Birmingham
Hillary Melchiors, President of DONA International attended a roundtable discussion hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau and the City of Birmingham, Alabama, regarding doulas in the workforce as part of the answer to maternal* and infant mortality.
The 2022 DONA International Summit
By Melissa Harley, ADVCD/BDT(DONA), CLC, LCCE, FACCE 2022 Conference Coordinator The 2022 DONA International Summit is just around the corner and will be one of our largest virtual conferences ever, with over 25 contact hours available. DONA International was founded...
Organization Matters
By: Hillary Melchiors PhD, MPH, CD(DONA) LCC The structure and function of DONA International should be important to you as a doula. If you've spent any time looking around at different doula organizations, this post is specifically for you. There are many different...
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...
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...
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...
DONA International Certifies Their 13,000th Doula!
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE There are many reasons that I am proud to be a DONA certified doula. DONA's history, the vision of the five founders, our organization's mission and vision, and the longevity and adaptability of the...
Meet DONA International’s Newest Board Members & an Invitation for YOU!
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE Today is election day in the United States, where citizens go to the polls to vote on local and state level candidates and initiatives. This is a midterm election so there are no presidential elections this...
Meet The DONA 2019 Board Candidates and Get Ready to Vote!
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, LCE DONA International is the world's premier doula organization and relies on the person power and skills of many, many volunteers to keep it running effectively. Our organization is led by an all volunteer board...
Let’s Meet DONA International’s 2018 Advanced Doulas
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE This summer, DONA International awarded three doulas the credential of "Advanced Doula." This certification level was initiated in 2015, and the designation honors DONA certified birth and postpartum doulas who...
Do You Have 30 Seconds to Quickly and Easily Speak Up about Maternal Mortality?
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE It has been just about two weeks since the amazing DONA international Summit 2018 wrapped up and the DONA International virtual conference is up and running for the 90-day viewing period. Many of our speakers...
It Was Big! In-Person DONA Summit 2018 Wrap Up
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE I have just returned from the in-person DONA Summit 2018 and have been thinking and thinking (and thinking) about this Summit follow up post and what I exactly wanted to say. I have so many emotions and...
Secrets to Summit Success – Tips for Making the Most Out of a DONA Conference
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE The DONA International 2018 Summit is T minus less than 24 hours 'til the start and doulas and other birth professionals are arriving in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from all around the world. The line up of...
New International Doula Editor Announced! Meet Adriana Lozada
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE DONA International shared earlier this week that Adriana Lozada, AdvCD(DONA), CSC, CEMC, CBP, was named as the new editor for the International Doula, DONA International's well-respected quarterly magazine....
Happy 80th Birthday to DONA Founder Penny Simkin
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE Today, May 31st is Penny Simkin's 80th birthday. I am confident that you join me in being so glad that she was born on this day in 1938. Penny is one of the five founders of DONA International and an icon in...
Meet DONA Summit Keynote Speakers – A Simply Amazing Lineup!
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE The 2018 DONA International Summit (the annual conference) is just shy of eight weeks away and the keynote lineup has been announced and it is simply spectacular. This year there are options for both in-person...
DONA International Joins March for Moms to Advocate for Maternal Health
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE This past weekend was the second annual March for Moms event and DONA International was proud to be a sponsor and partner in the weekend's happenings. This important gathering of leaders in the field of...