Blog / Doula Resources
Doulas need support too! We’re here for you with information, research, news and more to help you stay up to date and inspired with articles written just for doulas.
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COVID-19 & Doulas – DONA International Recommendations
DONA International understands that COVID-19 is affecting the world in a unique way, and therefore we are providing information and support to our members and birth-workers globally in relation to COVID-19 as it relates to our work. Doulas are an important part of the...
Meet Ginger Breedlove, Editor of “Nobody Told Me about That: The First Six Weeks”
It’s been often said that we don’t know what we don’t know. That statement rings true during the postpartum period and most especially during those first six weeks if you are a new parent. There’s a new book on the scene which seeks to bring to light many of the...
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...
Postpartum Preeclampsia: Risk after Delivery Remains
By Eleni Tsigas, Chief Executive Officer, Preeclampsia Foundation May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month. Preeclampsia is one of the three largest causes of maternal mortality in the USA and around the world. Postpartum doulas are in a unique position to encourage...
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...
Take Action for Black Maternal Health Week: Six Things You Can Do Now
By Sharon Muza, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE Introduction to Black Maternal Health Week April is Minority Health Month in the United States. Minority Health Month is a “month-long initiative to advance health equity across the country on behalf of all racial and...
Research Update: ACOG Advises No Longer Laboring Down and Support of Family-Centered Cesareans
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, LCE Introduction Just about two years ago, the DONA Doula Chronicles blog shared about the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee Opinion released in 2017 regarding recommendations to...
WE’RE LIVE! Introducing DONA International’s New Online Data Collection System
By Sarah Hodin, MPH, CD(DONA), LCCE Introducing DONA International online data collection forms As the largest doula training, certification, and membership organization in the world, DONA International is uniquely positioned to contribute knowledge about doulas and...
There’s an App for That! – Creative Solutions for Running Your Doula Business: Full Term Contraction Timer
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE It is time for another post in the occasional series called "There's an App for That!" This series allows me to share an app that helps us run our birth and postpartum businesses and make our lives easier....
There’s an App for That! – Creative Solutions for Running Your Doula Business: MileIQ
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE Today I start a new occasional series called "There's an App for That!" From time to time, I will share an app that helps us to run our birth and postpartum businesses and make our lives easier. Today I tackle...
Expert Tips for a Smooth Recertification Process
By Uta Mattox, AdvCD(DONA), CD(DONA) Today's post is the third and final post in a short series focusing on tips from the experts on birth and postpartum certification and recertification. Today, longtime doula Uta Mattox, former Director of Certification and current...
The Black Infant Remembrance Memorial – A Valuable Resource for Your Families
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE You cannot live in the United States and be unaware of the health inequities that face Black families here in this country. Every single major news outlet has been covering this tragic situation with increasing...
Pro Tips for Submitting an Amazing Postpartum Certification Packet
By Tracy McPhillips, CCE(GS), LCCE, PCD/PDT(DONA) Today's post is written by my friend and colleague Tracy McPhillips. Tracy is a postpartum doula and a DONA Approved Postpartum Doula Trainer. Additionally, Tracy reviews and approves postpartum doula certification...
Five Tips for Enjoying Your Summer While Being an On-Call Doula
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE Here I sit in the real summer heat of Seattle. In general, Seattle has beautiful summers consisting of blue skies, a lot of sun, no humidity, long periods of daylight and no bugs. Temps run in the mid-70s and...
6 Pro Tips to Make Your Birth Doula Certification Packet Shine!
By Jenn Fontaine, LCCE, FACCE, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), PCD(DONA) CLC, CHBE, WSGB Instructor Today's post is written by my friend and colleague Jenn Fontaine. Jenn is a birth doula certification packet reviewer extraordinaire. Jenn has reviewed and certified over 450...
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...
Seven Ways the DONA Website Helps You Be a Better Doula!
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE The DONA website is a great resource The DONA International website was redesigned about 18 months ago and shared with DONA members and the public at the 2016 DONA International conference in Bellevue, WA. At...
The Global Doula – New Series on Doulaing around the World
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE DONA International is truly an international organization in every way. Our membership is over 5,000 members strong and represents more than 56 countries around the world. Our birth and postpartum trainers...