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Questions and Answer
Questions and Answer
Q. How do I become a doula? What training do I need and how do I find the training in my area? Several sites have training but they are many miles from my home and offer no alternative areas to contact. Please help me. I really would like to help the expectant parents out there have the best possible birth experience they can.
Robyn
A. You don't need to be certified to be a doula. Any woman can help any other woman in childbirth as long as she is supportive and caring. Of course training does help. Please tell me where you live. It is possible to sponsor an ALACE Labor Assistant Training Workshop in your area. I can give you more information on that if you are interested. Outside of that, may I suggest you read Mothering The Mother by Marshall Klaus et al and The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin.
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Ilana Stein has been working professionally with pregnant women since 1983 as a childbirth educator, labor assistant and breastfeeding consultant. She was originally certified by the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth (The Bradley Method), The Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE), and Doulas of North America (DONA). She teachs the ALACE Labor Assistant training workshop nationwide. She has spoken at conferences and at the New York University Graduate Program in Midwifery about labor support. She is a Positive Pregnancy and Parenting Fitness (PPPF) instructor and La Leche League Leader. She is also a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor at the local YMCA. She volunteers as the coordinator of the annual New York Area YM-YWCA Women’s Wellness Weekend.
This advice does not take the place of your practitioner.
Personal answers will not always be possible.
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