How to Find and Hire a DONA Certified Doula

Updated

DONA International's website provides a Find a DONA Certified Doula directory tool and a How to Hire a Doula guide — these are the two starting points for families who want to locate and engage a certified doula. The directory lets you search for doulas who have completed DONA's certification requirements, and the hiring guide walks through what to consider before making a commitment. This article explains how to use both, what DONA certification signals, and what factors typically matter when choosing a doula.

Using the Find a DONA Certified Doula Tool

The directory is accessible from the main navigation under "Explore Doula Support." It is designed to connect families with doulas who hold current DONA certification.

What to expect from the search:

  • You can filter by location to find doulas in your area.
  • Results show doulas who have met DONA's certification standards, which include completing a training workshop, attending births or postpartum shifts, and submitting required documentation.
  • Each listing typically includes contact information or a way to reach the doula directly.

A practical note: Availability varies widely by region. If your area returns few or no results, consider expanding your search radius or contacting DONA directly using the phone number listed on the site — (505) 300-DONA (3662) — or the email address provided in the footer.

What DONA Certification Means as a Screening Criterion

DONA International is a doula training and certification organization. When a doula holds DONA certification, it indicates they have:

  • Completed a DONA-approved training workshop.
  • Met DONA's requirements for attended births (for birth doulas) or postpartum work (for postpartum doulas).
  • Agreed to follow DONA's Standards of Ethics and scope of practice.
  • Maintained certification through recertification requirements.

This matters because doula certification is not legally required in most places. Choosing a certified doula gives you a verifiable baseline: the doula has been trained to a specific standard, has practical experience documented, and is accountable to a professional body. That said, certification is one factor among several — personal fit, communication style, and availability also weigh heavily.

Birth Doula vs. Postpartum Doula: Which Do You Need?

DONA certifies both birth doulas and postpartum doulas, and the site separates these paths clearly.

Birth Doula Postpartum Doula
Focus Emotional and physical support during labor and birth Support after the baby arrives — recovery, feeding, newborn care
Typical timing On-call near your due date; present during labor Scheduled visits in the weeks following birth
What they don't do Clinical tasks (not a medical provider) Clinical tasks (not a nurse or medical provider)

Some families hire both. If you are unsure, DONA's "What is a Doula?" and "Benefits of a Doula?" pages under Explore Doula Support explain the distinctions in more detail.

How to Hire a Doula: Factors to Consider

DONA's "How to Hire a Doula" page is the site's dedicated guide for this process. Based on what the site covers and general practice, here are the key steps and considerations:

1. Clarify what you want

Decide whether you need a birth doula, a postpartum doula, or both. Think about your birth setting (hospital, birth center, home) and what kind of support you value most.

2. Search and shortlist

Use the Find a DONA Certified Doula tool to build a list of candidates in your area. Note their certification type and any specialties mentioned.

3. Interview candidates

Most doulas offer a free or low-cost initial consultation. Use it to ask about:

  • Their training and certification status.
  • Experience with your birth setting or situation.
  • Backup arrangements if they are unavailable when you go into labor.
  • Their fee structure and what it includes.
  • How they communicate between visits.

4. Check compatibility

You will be in a close, personal relationship with your doula during a vulnerable time. Trust your instincts about whether you feel comfortable and heard.

5. Confirm the arrangement

Once you choose a doula, get the terms in writing — scope of support, fees, payment schedule, and cancellation policy. DONA's site does not publish a standard contract, so the specific agreement is between you and the doula.

Common Questions Families Ask

Does DONA set doula fees? No. DONA does not publish pricing for doula services. Fees are set independently by each doula and vary by location, experience, and services offered. Ask each candidate directly.

Can I hire a doula who isn't DONA certified? Yes. Certification is voluntary. DONA certification is one way to verify training and accountability, but it is not the only path. If you choose a non-certified doula, ask about their training and experience directly.

What if there are no DONA doulas near me? Expand your search radius, or contact DONA International through the phone number or email listed on their site. The organization also has an International section, which may help if you are outside the United States.

Does hiring a doula replace medical care? No. DONA doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support. They do not perform clinical or medical tasks. Your medical care remains with your doctor or midwife.

Where to Go Next on dona.org

  • Find a DONA Certified Doula — the directory search.
  • How to Hire a Doula — DONA's hiring guide.
  • What is a Doula? / What is a Birth Doula? / What is a Postpartum Doula? — role explanations.
  • Benefits of a Doula? — evidence and rationale for doula support.
  • Become a Certified Doula — if you are considering training yourself.

All of these are reachable from the main navigation under "Explore Doula Support." For direct assistance, the site lists a phone number — (505) 300-DONA (3662) — and an email address in the footer, along with a mailing address in Tallahassee, FL.