Doula.... DONA, ALACE, or other? - Page 2

[BirthWithFaith]

I've actually been thinking of taking ALACE in addition to my DONA cert and have a friend who is certified through ALACE and I like it as well. I chose DONA after doing my own research and found it to be the most recognized cerfiying organization. I found ALACE to be the 2nd most recognized and respected certifying org. I would be very interested in their training after hearing your comments. I didn't care for the DONA training. I like some of Simkin's work but she isn't "natural" enough for me and care more about supporting the mother's wishes than teaching the mother the risks of drugs/interventions. It's a delicate balance I think.

As far as my comments about DONA requiring more, they do than most. There are some (not ALACE) that don't require enough IMO. I think a doula without extensivel childbirth education training and understanding even if they aren't teaching childbirth education isn't a help at all to their clients.

I saw this first hand in my training class when some women didn't know what the risks of drugs/epidurals were and why the c/s rate matters. Lordy! Scary!

Anyhoo, most women find this comparison chart helpful...

Doula Certification Chart Comparing Various Certifying Organizations

HTH you OP!

[BirthIsAwesome]

Just want to clarify that with DONA you only have to do 3 births to certify, with ALACE you need 6 births. So basically you are coming out of ALACE certification with twice as much experience. PLUS......

I LOVED the ALACE workshop!!! It was life changing for me. I just can't reccommend it high enough. I plan to host it in my city and take the workshop again in the next year. YES it was THAT GOOD, that I am going to pay AGAIN (though we do get a discount) just to hear/experience the workshop again---even after I'm certified! I drove three hours to the workshop and it was worth every minute. I especially enjoyed the introduction to palpation/FHT.

[IrelandsMama]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their two cents. I have enjoyed all the info and opinions about the doula trainings that different companies offer. This has been wonderful and has helped me make my decision!

thanks again!!!

sav

[BirthWithFaith]

Um........

I wrote an entire post that has VANISHED!

I can't remember what I said but here is info again...

http://www.mother-care.ca/CDchart.htmlChart Comparing Doula Cert OrgsThis is a chart that can further help you with the various cerfiying orgs. I said something else to the effect that I have always been considering two orgs to be certified by and the other one is ALACE. There are other orgs that don't offer enough childbirth education requirements that I think is essential to being a good doula to your client.

I can't remember what else I said. I'll save this post in case it doesn't go through again or stay here or whatever the heck happened.

Hope this helps you, OP!

[Gunter]

i did ALACE and really liked all aspects of it. i felt they offered great training and prep.

[VaDoula]

I completed the entire cert. process for DONA and then did not send in my paperwork to be officially certified by them because I did not want to be defined as a DONA doula. I liked the training and all but I wanted to be myself and tell a woman my thoughts and opinions without feeling like I needed to give a disclaimer for DONA. I simply tell people that I went through the certification process for DONA but I am an independent doula without official certification. I didn't want to join and oganization that I don't entirely agree with. I am being tempted to look into ALACE after reading this thread.

[MindfulBirth]

I find it curious that no one has mentioned CAPPA yet. I'm getting my CBE though them (distance cert). I am going to start working towards becoming a labor doula in the Spring but will be working with a local doula group in their mentorship program and they will "certify" me if I do some extra reading and write an essay (and give them extra $$).