How to Become a Doula

Where did you go to doula school? 

I've been asked this several times now and the answer is: doula school doesn't exist.

Typically, what people mean when they ask this is how do you become a doula.  (Of course this is often asked after I've already answered the what is a doula? question.)

Because there is no national or state level certification, licensure, or standard for doulas there are many routes to becoming a doula.  I'm going to talk about how to become a professional doula because that's what I know.


Training

First, you need to be trained.  But I already have experience with birth, or maybe even supporting women in birth, you say.  If you're representing yourself as a doula and not just an experienced support person, you need to be properly trained.  There is always more to be learned and it's very important that you understand what exactly the role of a doula is if you're going to call yourself a doula.

There are many training organizations out there, some are complete distance learning, some have in-person components, some offer lifetime certifications, others have ongoing education requirements in order to maintain your credentials.  They're not all created equal.

If you're ready to be trained as a doula the best place to start is by exploring the various organizations that train and certify doulas to see which might be the best fit for you.  Here is a chart comparing several of the larger organizations.

I chose to train and certify with DONA International because they're one of the oldest, largest, and most well respected doula certifying bodies.  I very seriously considered pursing a distance learning program because I'm an enthusiastic self-learner, but luckily there was a DONA approved training offered locally in Columbus so I decided to go for the in-person workshop with DONA and I'm SO glad I did!  I love learning at my own quick pace, but I believe there are many benefits to attending an in-person training.  Workshop lengths vary based on the organization and trainer.  The workshop I attended was 4 full days.

After you attend the workshop you are knowledgeable about the basic technical aspects of how to be a doula as well as what your scope of practice is.  Some doulas stop here and practice as a trained, but not certified, doula.


Certification

In order to go on to obtain certification as a birth doula there are typically additional requirements beyond the initial training.  To become a DONA certified birth doula, once you have attend the training workshop there is additional required reading, childbirth and breastfeeding education components, attendance, documentation, and evaluations from care providers and clients at a minimum of 3 qualifying births, several essays, professional references, and several other miscellaneous items.

I never questioned whether I would certify, that was my plan from the start.  I'm a professional and it's important to me to be held to the highest standards and that my credentials reflect my skills and expertise, not only to clients, but also to other birth professionals.  The additional requirements to obtain and maintain certification help me to be a more knowledgeable and well rounded doula and hold me accountable to standards set forth not only by myself, but also my certifying organization.

In order to maintain my certified doula credential I have to meet a minimum continuing education requirement of 15 hours every 3 years to ensure that my skills are always growing and that I am staying current with birth practices.  Because I have to re-certify at regular intervals this challenges me to continuously grow as a professional and remain dedicated to my birthwork.

I completed my doula certification less than a year after I started my doula journey, but many doulas spend around 2 years working on their certification, some up to 4. My certified doula credential isn't just some letters after my name, it's an achievement I worked towards for quite a while, propelled by my desire to offer the highest quality and most professional services I can to the clients that I serve.

When searching for and interviewing doulas for your birth it's helpful to ask about their training, experience, and certification.  Ask any doula you may potentially hire why they chose to train with and/or certify with a particular organization.  It can help give you insight into their background as well as the standards that they uphold.



Additional Resources:

Birth Professionals of Central Ohio Classes & Specials

Top Ten Questions for Choosing a Doula Training

What It Means to be a Professional Birth Doula

A Positive Birth Experience Isn't About How You Birth

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I have two children and neither birth was my ideal experience.

Both births were very similar on the surface, yet when describing the birth of my second child I use words like: healing. empowering. positive.

What changed?


My second birth was about more than just getting baby here safely, the journey was important as well.

I was more than just a vessel carrying the baby who was the main focus and priority.

My thoughts, feelings, and opinions mattered.

I was an active participant in my baby's birth, making choices I felt good about.

I had a supportive birth team whom I trusted.  Our relationship was built on a solid foundation of mutual respect.

We had common goals: healthy mom, healthy baby, positive experience.

Instead of finding myself a few hours postpartum, holding a newborn, feeling dazed and disheartened as I did with my first birth, I snuggled my second baby, feeling confident and satisfied.


What changed?

Support.  

Support for me as a woman.  Support for me as a mother.  Support for me as someone worthy of an opinion on what happens to my body and my baby.  That support is key.

Having your ideal birth is not required in order to have a positive experience.  A positive and satisfying birth experience has more to do with how you feel while you're birthing than how you birth.

My personal birth experience is a significant piece of why I became a doula.  I understand just how important is is to feel supported on your birthing journey. I want to support you in having your confident, empowered, and satisfying birth.

How to Interview a Doula

How to find a doula, questions to ask a doula, and questions to ask yourself to help with choosing the doula that is right for you

How to Find a Doula 

You're pregnant, you've done a little reading, you know you want a doula to support you on your birthing journey -- wonderful!  Now, how do you find doulas in your area?

• Web Search - a quick Google search of "doula (your location)" should turn up some results.  It may also provide results for local professional organizations that will contain listings of doulas who are members.

• Doulamatch.net - this is a website where doulas can list information about themselves and their services.  It's a nice resource because all of the information is in one place making it easy to compare potential doulas.

• Personal Referral - ask your friend/sister/cousin about doulas.  Maybe they know someone to recommend, or know someone who knows someone.  Hopefully they at least know what you're talking about!  Additional ideas for people to talk to are your health care provider, chiropractor, prenatal yoga instructor, etc.  

Once you have located the doulas in your area, choose 2-3 prospective doulas you are most interested in. Contact them to find out their availability and schedule an in person interview!

Questions to Ask a Doula

You've searched, you've narrowed, you've had that initial contact.  Now the meeting is here and you actually have to interview the prospective doulas to figure out who will be the best fit to support you during your pregnancy and birth.

Here are some questions you might want to ask:

• Why did you become a doula?

• What kind of training have you had?

• Are you certified?  If so, you might ask them which organization they are certified with and why they chose that particular organization.

• How long have you been in practice?  Don't automatically discount newer doulas, they can still provide awesome support!

• What kind of experiences have you had as a doula?  If you are hoping for a particular type of birth such as homebirth, waterbirth, VBAC, hospital birth, hypno-birth etc. you may inquire with the doula as to whether they have experience supporting that type of birth.

• Have you attended any births at _________? Your desired location of birth, may be home, a particular hospital, birthing center, etc.

• Ask for clarification on the services that they offer such as: how many prenatal and postpartum visits do you offer?  What sort of topics will be covered?  What is your fee?  When are payments due?  Do you have a contract for me to review?  How many clients do you accept per month?

• When will you be "on-call" for me?  What does that mean to you?

• Do you have a backup doula available in place for emergencies?  Can I meet them if I am interested in doing so?

• When and where will you join me during my birthing time?

• How long do you stay during the birth?  After?

• What are your greatest strengths as a doula?

• What is your birth philosophy?

• How do you see your role at my birth?

• How do you feel about the use of medication/interventions during birth?

• Do you offer any other services that I might be interested in?  Some doulas also offer photography, placenta encapsulation, postpartum support, etc.

• What are the next steps if I want to hire you?  

Questions to Ask Yourself After the Interviews

You've done the work, now it's time to make a decision!  Here are some questions that may help you decide which doula is the right one for you:

• Is there anyone I want to eliminate due to the information I now have?  Perhaps they don't have the qualifications you're looking for, or they haven't had experience with the particular type of birth you're seeking, etc.

• Is there anyone I'm particularly interested in due to the information I now have?  Perhaps they have a strength that appeals to you, or offer additional services you are interested in, etc.

• Do all these doulas seem truly supportive of me?  You want your doula to be open to whatever your choices and desires are for your birth. A doula is someone you are hiring specifically to support you on your journey to your best birth.  Does the doula have an agenda of their own, or can you count on them to support you no matter what?

• Who did I "click" most with?  You must feel comfortable with your doula!  It's an important decision whom you choose to invite into your birthing time and you want to feel good around them!  The doula who is the best fit for you may/may not be the one with the most experience or the one who is most obviously like you.  

Once you have explored your options, gathered necessary information, and done some exploration of your own opinions you will be able to choose the doula who is perfect for you!

What's a Doula?

My older daughter is a doula.  

...What's a doula?


My mother, who is very supportive of the work that I do, tells me that when she tells other people I'm a doula she's often met with confusion.  People think I'm some sort of midwife or they have no idea what she's even saying because it's a term they've never heard before.  I've certainly encountered the same confusion.  Although the role that doulas fulfill is in some ways as ancient as birth itself, the modern role of a professional doula is relatively new.  A birth doula is a trained and experienced support person offering women continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and immediately following childbirth.

Simplified, as a doula I am a personal guide on your birthing journey.  I use my knowledge and expertise to help you achieve the birth experience that you desire.  It may sound simple, but the support I provide as a doula is invaluable.  Mothers who have doula support tend to have shorter labors, fewer complications, increased success with breastfeeding, and a smoother transition into motherhood.  Most importantly, they are more likely to feel satisfied with their birth experience overall.

So, what exactly is this support that I provide?  What do I actually DO?

I meet with you prenatally to discuss your options and help you decide what your preferences are.  I talk you through the labor and birth process so you know what to expect.  I demonstrate ways you can help to facilitate the labor process and remain as comfortable as possible.  I help you formulate questions for your care provider, prepare for breastfeeding, point you toward quality resources, and talk you through fears you may have.  I want you to enter your birthing time feeling knowledgeable and confident!

I provide hands on support throughout the birth process.  I join you at your home when you don't feel ready to go to the hospital, yet need an extra set of hands with fresh perspective.  I place a comforting hand on your shoulder, breathe with you through contractions, and remind you that you're doing awesome!  We transition to the hospital together; I'm a familiar face in unfamiliar surroundings helping you and your partner settle in to this new environment.

I hand you your cup before you realize you're thirsty, get you a cool washcloth, and suggest another trip to the bathroom because an hour has already passed without your realizing it.  When your partner looks uncertain I remind them of how great they're doing, suggest that they slow dance with you or rub your back or get you another cup of ice.  I offer all sorts of fun positions for you to try, brush your hair out of your eyes, remind you to stay in the moment, and squeeze your hips because it feels so much better.  I encourage you to vocalize through contractions and then I remind you that you're almost there!

When it's time, I remind you of all the strength you possess, and remind your partner to tell you out loud just how amazing you are in this moment because they're already silently thinking it.  I reassure you that those shakes are normal and fan you because you're suddenly so hot!  Your partner and I work together to encourage you as you bring your baby into this world.  I snap a few pictures with your camera while you and your partner marvel at your new little baby.  Then, I help you navigate that first nursing session.

We meet postpartum to review your birth, because it's nice to talk about it with someone knowledgeable who was there every step of the way.  Then I answer questions: any tips for getting baby to sleep at night?  How do I use this Moby wrap?  I'm thirsty all the time, how do I remember to drink more water?  And, if I'm lucky, I get a few baby snuggles.

As a doula I walk with you on your path to birth.  I am there to be an experienced supporter, a quality resource, and an unending source of comfort.  I bear witness, facilitate communication, and do what I can to make everyone's day just a little bit better.  It's amazing and humbling to be invited in to another's birth experience and it's incredible to be able to have a positive impact on such an important journey.

I'm honored to call myself a doula.