The Birthing  From  Within Doula  Program cultivates personal growth, creativity, confidence and spiritual & psychological awareness in birth attendants and the parents they work with.

If you feel a passion within you for birth, or you want to give something back, and personal growth as a doula is a priority for you, then we warmly invite you to take our Doula From Within Workshop and join our Certification Program.

Most doula programs and doulas focus primarily on techniques for caring for the parents in labor and postpartum. But our program begins with YOU. We believe it is important to begin with an exploration of what motivates you to begin this work (and our program). We consider things such as past experiences that have shaped your beliefs and attitudes about birth, what you hope to accomplish by attending parents in birth, your relationship with the medical model, and most importantly, your relationship to yourself as a doula.

Doulas are teachers. You are in a primary position to teach parents how to prepare for labor, ask questions and cope with pain (before and during labor), and how to prepare for the postpartum transition. So, learning communication skills and how to teach pain-coping practices will strengthen your effectiveness as a doula, and give you more satisfaction with your work.

After the excitement of the workshop wears off, doulas can feel a little lost. New doulas develop confidence and skill when given extended support from peers and experienced doulas (especially after attending a difficult labor). So we created a one-of-a-kind HomeStudy Program that includes self-directed study and ongoing support to see you through to certification and beyond.

The Journey to Become a Certified Doula

In 2007, we begin offering the new dual-training workshops. This means the Introductory Workshop includes both "The Art of Childbirth Mentoring" and the Doula Training so you can conveniently attend both at one time. If you want to become a Certified Doula, you must attend the Introductory Workshop. You may also choose to enroll in our dual-certification program (Mentor + Doula). See our workshop schedule.

When you enroll in the Doula Certification Program, you will receive the following benefits and support:

• Listing on the “Find a Doula” page (coming soon!), so parents can find you.
• Your own personal Advisor, to support and guide you. She is a BIRTHING FROM WITHIN^® Certified Mentor and Doula who will answer questions related to your certification process, and review your Home Study packet and approve you for Certification.
• Access to our lively online Discussion Board. Join other Mentors and Doulas from around the world; bring your questions or experiences and receive invaluable feedback from your peers.
• Participate on the free monthly Conference Calls led by our Advisors.

At this point, you may be interested in the costs. Go to Fee Schedule

REQUIREMENTS for CERTIFICATION
Requirements for BIRTHING FROM WITHIN Doula Certification are outlined below. There are three pathways and sets of requirements (below), because we acknowledge each applicant’s previous birth-related work experience. If you are enrolled in our dual-certification program, you will complete the Mentor Certification requirements as well; some of the requirements and readings overlap.

BEGINNING DOULA (attended fewer than 10 births)

1. Observe a series of childbirth classes and write a summary. (These do not have to be BFW classes.)
2. Attend a breastfeeding class. This could be a series of La Leche League meetings or a class taught for parents by a lactation consultant.
3. Complete the Required Reading List
4. Participate in our online Discussion Board and Doula Conference Calls (at least three are required)
5. Complete your HomeStudy packet:

• Conduct and document at least three prenatal interviews
• Attend and document six labors and/or births
• Conduct and document six postpartum visits
• Document all prenatal, labor and postpartum experience in your Doula Record (journal to record prenatal, birth and postpartum contacts).
• Evaluation Forms from parents you attended in birth and postpartum (to be sent directly to your Advisor, or completed online)

EXPERIENCED DOULA (attended more than 10 births, but not certified through another doula program)

1. Observe a series of childbirth classes and write a summary. (This may be waived if you are a childbirth teacher. If you are in the Mentor Certification Program and you are new to teaching, please consider observing another class as it will give you an incredible education.)
2. Attend a breastfeeding class. This could be a series of La Leche League meetings or a class taught for parents by a lactation consultant. (May be waived if you are a breastfeeding counselor.)
3. Complete the Required Reading List  (May be modified if you are well-read on birth and/or breastfeeding: discuss with your Advisor)
4. Participate in our online Discussion Board and Doula Conference Calls (at least three are required)
5. Complete your HomeStudy packet:

• Write a brief summary report after your next three labors/births or prenatal/postpartum visits on what you did and felt differently as a result of your BIRTHING FROM WITHIN training.    
• Evaluation Forms from parents you attended in birth and postpartum (to be sent directly to your Advisor, or completed online)

CERTIFIED DOULA, EXPERIENCED L&D NURSE, OR MIDWIFE

Attend Introductory Workshop
Enroll in Doula Program Certification Program. You will receive a HomeStudy packet with your reading list, forms, and guidelines.

We honor your professional training and experience. Please discuss your individual situation and program modification with your Advisor. Here are some ways your requirements may be modified:

1. Attend a breastfeeding class.This could be a series of La Leche League meetings or a class taught for parents by a lactation consultant. (May be waived if you are a breastfeeding counselor.)
2. Complete the Required Reading List(May be modified if you are well-read on birth and/or breastfeeding: discuss with your Advisor)
3. Participate in our online Discussion Board and Doula Conference Calls (at least three are required)
4. Complete your HomeStudy packet:

• Write a brief summary report after your next three labors/births or prenatal/postpartum visits on what you did and felt differently as a result of your BIRTHING FROM WITHIN training.    
• Evaluation Forms from parents you attended in birth and postpartum (to be sent directly to your Advisor, or completed online)

Fee Schedule