does a doula *have* to be certified?

[GwendalynsMommy]

i have made the decision that i definitly want to pursue becoming a doula. i've started reading books and doing research about programs only to be hit w/ the realization that we just CANNOT afford to pay for a program. even the cheaper ones at $350 are to expensive. So my question is whether it is required to be certified? From what I can find online it looks like pretty much anyone can call themselves a doula. Is that correct? I understand it would probably help me market myself a little more if I was certified but it just isn't doable. I thought that maybe I could do some reading and attend some births for free or a very small fee for my time. After that once I had some births under my belt I could increase my fee.
Also tht way I would have the birth experience I needed to certify when the time came that we could afford a program. Is that ok to do? I couldn't get in trouble for working as a doula without certification could I?

[JunipersMom]

When I first started apprenticing for midwifery my preceptor had a very slow practice and I was a 'labor helper' for a bunch of moms. I didn't have any certification and didnt call myself a doula. I also made up my own CBE cirriculum and taught those classes without any certification - so it is possible. I think you can find plenty of work without the cert. I'm not sure if you can then go back and count those births because its my understanding that each has a particular requirement or form for the births??

[JessicaE]

My doula had over 150 births under her belt before she decided to get certified! My first birth was one of her certifying births for DONA. By that time, she was already the most experienced doula in the region, and she definitely charged for her services.

She started off as a Bradley Method CBE, though, which technically does qualify her to be a doula. So it wasn't as if she went in to attending births with no training at all.

[Rockies5]

I don't think everyone needs to be certified, no. I'm uncertain whether I will follow the process to full certification, but I altready attended the workshop and have attended births before and since.

[teachinmaof3]

Also tht way I would have the birth experience I needed to certify when the time came that we could afford a program.

Usually the only births that count towards your cert. are ones done after you have attended a training.

CAPPA has a scholarship program.

But to answer your question, no, you don't have to be certified. Having some kind of training or mentor would be a good idea though. Unless you are doing births for friends, most people are probably going to ask you during the interview how you were trained or if you are certified.

[hippiemom]

You don't need to be certified, but I highly recommend training... be it apprenticeship with a midwife or experienced doula or just taking some classes, it is a skill/profession worth studying and training for.

[MidwifeErika]

No need to certify, there is no such requirement. I went through training but have chosen to not certify. I do think some sort of training would be useful, you could even contact your local doulas and see if they would be open to you shadowing them for a few births.

[Maggi315]

I didn't become certified and I took the courses two times. I just decided there was no need in my area, no one really cared about my certification and I didn't want to be affliated with any one particular organization. So I guess it would depend on what you wanted and whether your clients cared or not.

[Rockies5]

You can sponsor an ALACE workshop and then attend it for free! It was well worth the cost, but if you can't afford it you can do the leg work, advertising and what not (all paid for by ALACE, btw) and the prize for your time and effort is a free workshop. certification is 6 births, but up to 3 can be atteneded before you complete your training. I liked what they offered over the others, and are very easy to get ahold of and talk to.

[1stimestar]

You can also sponsor a DONA International workshop. While one does not have to be certified, it does further your professionalism to do so. Also, I don't recommend going into births as a doula without a training workshop at least. You may find that if you do, and their are other doulas in your area, they will be very concerned about you creating problems with medical staff by going outside of what is normally a doulas' scope of practice. I'm not sure about the other organizations but to certify with DONA, the certifying births must be completed after the training and after you have your certifying packet in hand. Good luck!

[joyfuldoula]

I definately think that the training is wonderful and truly priceless. I am DONA trained, but not yet certified. Still thinking about certifying, but not sure if I will. The training with DONA was extremely thorough, and just listening to experienced doulas was quite enlightening. My business card says "DONA Trained" and so far, no problem with any clients.

[teachinmaof3]

You can also sponsor a CAPPA training.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

I paid for a DONA workshop, then sponsored an ALACE workshop and attended it for free. It was a lot of work but worth it. I LOVED the ALACE workshop. It was awesome.