Step by Step, Oooh Baby!!

These are all the steps I have to take:


Birth:
1. Verify that you are a current member of DONA International
2. Pay your Certification Application Processing Fee
3. Read 5 Books from the Required Reading List and the International Birth Doula Position Paper.
4. Complete the Basic Knowledge Self Assessment Tool
5. Observe a Child Preparation Series (12 hrs. minimum) or attend an Intro to Childbirth for Doulas (7 hrs. minimum)
6. Verify completion of a Breastfeeding Requirement.
7. Attend a DONA Approved Birth Doula Workshop of (16 hrs minimum)
8. Submit Client & Care Provider Evaluations from all three: Mothers, Physician or Midwife and Nurses present at births.
9. Document at least 3 births (must include components of step 8 for every birth; labor support hours must for all 3 births must total 15 hrs. minimum; doula must be present from the beginning of active labor or birth is not included in total births)
10. Birth Record Sheets (click here ) from every birth
11. Birth Essays: each birth must include a 500-700 word essay.
Must include:
- brief descpription of labor
- your role as doula
- description of mother's emotional reaction to labor, birth and early postpartum
- what you learned from the experience
12. Develop and submit a resource list that includes at least 45 resources from at least 30 different categories.
13. Write an essay (500-700 words) on The Purpose and Value of Labor Support:
Must include: The benefits of labor support to the mother and her family, the purpose behind providing labor support, the doula's responsibilities, the doula's role.
14. Sign the DONA International Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Forms
15. Provide Character References on Application
16. Write Essay on 'Why I Became a Doula'


Postpartum:
1. Verify completion of a breastfeeding requirement: Proof of completion of an on-line lactation study program.
2. Read at least one book from each of the following categories: “Becoming a Mother,” “The Newborn,” and “Breastfeeding”
3. Attend a DONA International approved postpartum doula workshop of 27 or more hours.
4. Receive good evaluations from at least three mothers to whom you have provided a minimum of eight hours each of postpartum support after attending the DONA-approved postpartum doula workshop. At least two of the three mothers must be breastfeeding during the time you are working with them.
5. Receive good evaluations from at least three spouses, partners, or other adult support people of the above clients. The doula must have spent enough time with the partner for them to feel comfortable filling out the evaluation form.
6.Write Essay (300-500 words) for each certifying postpartum experience, covering the following:
• The age of the newborn when you began
• The starting and ending dates and approximate total postpartum hours of service with this family
• The doula’s role with the mother
• The mother’s reaction to the support she received
• The doula’s role with the father/partner/adult support person
• The father’s / partner’s or other adult’s reaction to the support they received
• What the doula learned from this experience
7. Three signed copies of the DONA International Confidentiality Release Form, one for each family submitted for certification
8. Write Essay (500-1000 words) on “The Value of Postpartum Support.”
9. Develop and submit a resource list that must include at least 45 resources from at least 30 different categories.
10. Receive Health Care Professional Recommendation Form or letter of recommendation from a healthcare provider.
11. Complete Skills Self Assessment Form
12. Provide Character References.
13. Verify current DONA International membership
14. Sign copy of DONA International’s Postpartum Doula Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice
15. Read the DONA International Position Papers: The Postpartum Doula’s Role in Maternity Care and The Birth Doula’s Contribution to Modern Maternity Care.